Financial Support for HE students

The financial support available to you may be dependent on factors such as the course you are studying and your personal circumstances. You may enquire to student services at the college for advice about your specific case. Below is some information about the kinds of financial support most frequently accessed by our students.

Access to Learning fund

If you are experiencing financial hardship once on the course you can apply (through the Student Counselling and Advice Service) for help from the Access to Learning Fund.

Help for Students with a Disability

Part-time students with a disability, including a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, may also be eligible for help from a Disabled Students Allowance. This may include:

  • Specialist equipment allowance
  • A non-medical helper's allowance
  • A general disabled students' allowance
  • Extra travel costs that students may have to pay to attend their course as a result of their disability.

For HNC students

HNC courses at South Thames College are recognised for funding purposes as part-time and this is what will decide your entitlement to education grants. It also means you can continue to claim benefit while studying.

There's good news for students starting in part-time higher education; a fee grant is available to eligible students. You need to meet some conditions that relate to factors such as residence, previous study and age.

If you're eligible, the maximum amount of the fee grant is dependent on what is called the "intensity" of your study. The HNCs at South Thames College are in the highest intensity band (75%+) which means you can apply for the maximum fee grant - and because it's a grant and not a loan (which full-time higher education students will take out) it will not have to be repaid.

In addition you may be entitled to apply for a course grant of £250 to help with books, stationery etc.

Both these grants are means tested. You apply for your grants to Student Finance England and they will be able to give you accurate information on your personal entitlement, but as an indication:

If you are a single person with an income of £15345 or less you will be entitled to the full grants.

The grants are reduced on a sliding scale up to an income for a single person of £25,645.

If you are living with parents or a partner, the whole family income will be considered, but extra income is allowed before deductions to the grant are made:
- Allowance of £2000 extra income for a dependent partner
- Allowance of £2000 extra income for an only or eldest child
- Allowance of £1000 extra income for any other child in the family

More details of support for students is available at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

Or download information about finance for part-time studies by clicking here

Remember, when you apply to Student Finance England for grants, your HNC course is Part-time with an intensity of 75%+