Grants for Part-Time Students

It isn't a secret that going on to study in higher education can be expensive, causing many young people to be thousands of pounds in debt. And choosing to study part-time doesn't necessarily cut down the cost of learning. However, there is financial help available for students in part-time education, to help towards the tuition fees and course costs.

The amount you receive is dependent on your personal circumstances and on the course you have chosen to study on. It is up to the individual college or university to determine what the fee for part-time courses is, although by studying part-time it is assumed that you will be able to cover your living costs through work or savings.

Getting Support

Part-time students can apply for Tuition Fee Loans and, since August 2018, Maintenance Loans to help with their studies.

Their names are pretty self-explanatory. A Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to your university or college and must be repaid. Part-time students studying at least 25% intensity can also apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs, which is paid directly to you.

Grant Eligibility Finder

Tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application.

Try our Grant Eligibility Finder free, here on this site →

Your Circumstances

There are a number of circumstances that will entitle you to either a full, or part, or the grants on offer. If you are receiving certain benefits, for example, you are entitled to the maximum fee and course grant available for the course you have chosen.

When it comes to part time students that have dependable children, the amount varies depending on your income. So, for example, someone with a household income of less that £16,000 is entitled to the maximum amount for each grant, but someone who earns more than £20,000 could see their entitlement drop.

Part-time students can borrow up to £7,335 for tuition fees in the 2026/27 academic year and initially, your entitlement is worked out by the 'intensity' of the course. This is a basic equation, for instance, if the full time equivalent of your course takes three years and to study it part-time takes six years, then the course intensity would be 50%.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Applying For The Grant

To apply for part-time student finance, you need to apply online through Student Finance England at www.gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance

Once you have completed the form, simply take it with you on the first day of your course. The process will then be in the hands of the administration office who will complete the rest of the form and confirm that you are a student, that intensity level of your course and what the total tuition fee amount.

Applications are processed online by Student Finance England and typically take 4-6 weeks to process. The process only differs slightly if you are an Open University student. The Open University deal with their own applications and you are required to fill in a completely different form.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Grant Eligibility Finder lets you tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application. Try it now →