Maintenance grant for living costs
Please note students who apply to study from 1 September 2016 will be eligible to apply for a student finance package that includes a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan only. More information will be published when all the details have been finalised.
What is it?
The Maintenance Grant is designed to help with your living costs such as rent, food and travel.
It is only available to full-time Home students; part-time and EU students can’t apply. Find out more about who qualifies for financial support from the Government on the GOV.UK website.
Unlike the Maintenance Loan, you do not have to pay back the money you receive as a Maintenance Grant.
How much can I get?
The Maintenance Grant is means tested so how much you can get depends on where you live, where you study and your own financial circumstances.
Students from England
Maintenance Grants are available to support full-time students from England from households with an income below £42, 875 (figure from 2015 entry).
The amount you can get is calculated on a sliding scale.
If you get a Maintenance Grant, this reduces the amount of Maintenance Loan you can get. The Maintenance Loan has to be repaid; the Maintenance Grant doesn't.
| Household income | Maintenance Grant | Maintenance Loan (living away from home) | Maintenance Loan (living at home) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 or less | £3,387 | £6,509 | £2,982 |
| £30,000 | £2,441 | £6,982 | £3,455 |
| £35,000 | £1,494 | £7,455 | £3,928 |
| £40,000 | £547 | £7,929 | £4,402 |
| £45,000 | £0 | £7,975 | £4,448 |
| £50,000 | £0 | £7,441 | £3,914 |
| £55,000 | £0 | £6,907 | £3,380 |
| £60,000 | £0 | £6,373 | £3,038 |
| £65,000 | £0 | £5,839 | £3,038 |
| £70,000 or above | £0 | £5,331 | £3,038 |
Students from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Similar living cost support is available for students from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales – contact your relevant funding body for more information about the amount you may be eligible for:
- Students living in Northern Ireland: Student Finance NI
- Students living in Scotland: Student Awards Agency for Scotland
- Students living in Wales : Student Finance Wales
Students from elsewhere in the EU
EU students will generally not be eligible for support with living costs from the UK Government.
EU tuition fee loans are available to students from elsewhere in the EU studying in the UK who meet certain criteria.
When will I receive the grant?
The Maintenance Grant is paid into your bank account in three instalments during the academic year – one payment at the start of each term. If you've also taken out a Maintenance Loan, this will be paid at the same time.
Find out more
For more information on loans and grants, see the UK Government's GOV.UK website.