HE Financial Support
We know that money can sometimes be a worry when studying for a degree, but the good news is that HE financial support is available and you may be eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan and/or a Maintenance Loan.Â
Tuition Fee Loans are available through Student Finance England, up to £9,275. This loan is paid directly to Petroc.Â
Maintenance Loans are provided by the Government, and can help you with living costs (e.g. rent, bills, food, nights out). The loan is paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term.Â
You will need to repay your loan at 9% of your income over and above £25,000. However, you won’t have to repay your loan until you earn at least £25,000 per year. If your earnings drop below £25,000, your loan repayments stop. If you have not cleared the balance after 40 years, it will be written off. All repayments are deducted at source from your pay.
To find out if you are eligible for a loan, and to apply, visit www.gov.uk/student-finance
Funds available and how to apply
To apply for Student Finance you will need to go to the Student Finance Login of the gov.uk website. There you will be able to register with Student Finance England and then apply for your loans.
You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan which will pay your fees. You can also apply for a Maintenance Loan, which is money that goes straight into your bank account. You may also be eligible for a Maintenance Grant. This is dependent upon your household income and does not need to be repaid.
You can find more information about all these loans/fees on the Student Finance England website where there is a full overview of how these loans work.
There is also a Student Finance calculator which can work out how much you are likely to receive. Please check the Plymouth University website to ensure you are clear about the fees that you will be charged upon progressing to Plymouth campus for a top up year.
Petroc higher education bursaries are part of a portfolio of provisions to support student success. Alongside the bursaries sit a number of other support in the emergency HE Student Hardship Fund and external support for students who are care-experienced students and/or disabled (further information for these additional support funds can be found on your moodle pages once you have enrolled).
Please read our HE Policy and Procedure 2021 to see if you are eligible for funding or contact the guidance centre for further information.
Outreach Bursary - Closed
These bursaries are designed to support students from low-income households (a declared income of less than £25,000*) starting the full-time first year of a registered Foundation Degree (Level 4) at Petroc. This is a one-year bursary to support the costs associated with starting higher-level study. Students are expected to meet attendance and assessment thresholds outlined in the Petroc student code of conduct.
*A gross household income of below £25,000 evidenced by a Tax Credit/Universal Credit Award notice.
Access Bursary - Closed
These bursaries are for mature students (aged 21+) starting on a part-time registered Foundation Degree course (level 4) at Petroc. This is a one-year bursary designed to support mature students returning to education and to contribute to the costs associated with starting higher-level study. Students are expected to meet attendance and assessment thresholds outlined in the Petroc student code of conduct.
Progression Bursary - Closed
These bursaries are designed to support students from low-income households (a declared income of less than £25,000*) starting on a full-time honours degree course at Petroc. This is a one-year bursary to support the costs associated with continuing higher-level study. Students are expected to meet attendance and assessment thresholds outlined in the Petroc student code of conduct.
*A gross household income of below £25,000 evidenced by a Tax Credit/Universal Credit Award notice
Work Placement Bursary
These bursaries are designed to support students in gaining experience of work and making connections with employers to support future employability. The emphasis for this bursary is on the student to find the placement; however, we encourage employers and companies to post internship placements on the Petroc Jobshop electronic notice board for students to view. Students need to complete the appropriate form and administration to record the commencement of the work experience. Students need to complete a report at the end of the work experience to claim the bursary funding. Students may choose to complete up to 20 days of work experience over their time in HE studies at Petroc.
Business Start-up Bursary
There are a number of these bursaries available to students to support their work in developing their entrepreneurial ideas and setting up a new business. Petroc will organise and promote a call for students to apply for the Business Start-up fund. In order to apply for the funding a business case will be completed, and a number of awards given to students depending on the funds available and the strength of the business case. The decision of Petroc on these awards is final.Â
As a higher education student living in England, you can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have a:
- Disability
- Long-term health condition
- Mental health condition
- Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia/dyspraxia
The support you get depends on your individual needs. Details of the information, process and the forms necessary are available on the Government website.
The application can take as long as 14 weeks to complete, so it is essential to start the process as soon as possible. We are here to support you through each stage, from filling in the forms to discussing any issues or concerns you may have. We feel very strongly that it is important that you have the best possible start to your Degree studies.Â
If you are unsure whether you can apply for DSA or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
You may be eligible to apply for a charitable grant. You can find more information on the links below:
Money worries can sap our energy and drive to improve ourselves. We have a pot of funds available to support you while you are studying with us. You will still need to secure funding for the course fees via the Student Loan system, however, if problems unexpectedly raise their head while you are studying, that threaten your ability to continue, then we may be able to offer some assistance.
Forms are available to apply for help, and our HE Team can provide support with completing them.
The Helena Kennedy Foundation provides bursaries, or scholarships, to students who want to progress to higher education but face financial difficulties.Â
If successful, you could receive a £2,250 bursary, access to free training sessions to improve the skills you need throughout university and beyond, work shadowing and volunteering opportunities, and a named point of contact for any questions and concerns you have on your educational journey.
When applying for this busbursaryrary you must fulfil the following criteria:
- Be in the final year at a publicly-funded UK further education college, studying in the last year of Access / A Level / BTEC / T Levels.
- Aim to start a first-time programme of higher education in the autumn of the year in which you are applying at a UK higher education institution.
- Are a UK citizen (refugees and Asylum Seekers can apply).
- Be experiencing barriers to continuing your education.
- Be able to demonstrate that you face severe financial hardship.
For more detailed information, and to apply, please visit the Helena Kennedy Foundation website.
Need further assistance?
Please get in touch with the Advice & Guidance Centre:
