Funding for Ages 25 or Over
Funding Overview
If you’re aged 25 or over when your course starts, you’re classed as a self-supporting student. Your funding is based on household income, assessed in two steps:
- Partner contribution: If you’re married or live with a partner, their income is assessed. If they earn over a certain amount, your funding may be reduced or not awarded.
- Student contribution: Money from a job doesn’t count, but unearned income (e.g., from renting property, pensions, or dividends) above £24.19/week during term time lowers your bursary by the same amount.
Funding for Ages 25 or Over
Funding Details
You could get the funding below to help with your studies. Funding amounts depend on household income unless otherwise noted.
|
Funding Type |
Details |
|
Course Fees |
Free for Home/Scottish students. |
|
Weekly Maintenance Bursary |
Up to £125.55/week. |
|
Travel Costs |
Covered if over 2 miles from college. |
|
Study Costs |
Paid directly to your faculty for books, kits, uniforms, and other essentials. |
|
Disability Support |
Help for additional needs (e.g., interpreters, taxi). Not income-assessed. |
|
Childcare Fund |
Up to £312/week for registered childcare. |
|
Discretionary Fund |
Up to £80/week for rent or one-time emergency payment. |
How your partner’s income changes your weekly maintenance bursary:
|
Partner’s Income |
Bursary |
1 Child |
1 Other Student |
|
£20,643 or less |
£125.55 |
£125.55 |
£125.55 |
|
£28,000 |
£105.49 |
£109.03 |
£115.52 |
|
£35,000 |
£87.41 |
£96.79 |
£106.48 |
|
£50,000 |
£48.64 |
£52.18 |
£87.10 |
|
£65,000 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£60.75 |
Note: If your partner supports other children or students, this can reduce how much they’re expected to contribute, so your allowance might be higher.
If You’re on Benefits
If you’re receiving certain benefits, your funding may be different:
- Universal Credit: Maximum £28/week weekly maintenance bursary. See Claiming Universal Credit.
- Income Support or ESA: No weekly maintenance bursary.
Example Situations
- Emma, 27, is single, working, and flat shares. She gets £125.55/week maintenance bursary, free tuition, study costs, travel (over 2 miles), and discretionary funds for rent.
- David, 30, is married with a child. His partner earns £35,000. He gets £96.79/week maintenance bursary, free tuition, study costs, travel (over 2 miles), and childcare support.
- Priya, 25, is a single parent and receives Universal Credit. She gets £28/week maintenance bursary, free tuition, study costs, travel (over 2 miles), and childcare support.
- John, 66, is retired and receives a pension of £230.23 per week. He is not eligible for support because any unearned income over £24.19 is deducted pound for pound from the bursary.
Key Deadlines
- First Payment on Time: Apply at least 4 weeks before course starts.
- Backdated Payments: Apply within 6 weeks of course start.
- Final Deadline: 31 March 2026.
Application Requirements
Information Required
- Personal details
- Residency
- Education
- Student’s income
- Partner’s income
- Dependent children
- Bank details
- Travel details
Documents Required (not exhaustive)
- Proof of identity (e.g., passport, birth certificate)
- e-Visa (for non-UK nationals)
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate (children)
- Student’s income (e.g., payslip, SA302, Universal Credit statement)
- Partner’s income (e.g., P60, SA302, joint Universal Credit statement)
- Proof of living arrangements (e.g., tenancy agreement, Council Tax notice, official letter)
How to Apply
Apply online as soon as you can! We’ll email you an application link after you accept your course. Wait for this email before activating your funding account – doing so too early can cause issues. It takes about 4–6 weeks to process. If you don’t receive the email, contact us at studentfunding@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk. See How to Apply for more details.
Key Information
- You need to meet Home/Scottish residency rules.
- Previous study may affect eligibility unless progressing to a higher level (e.g., SCQF Level 2 to 3).
- Maintain satisfactory attendance/engagement for payments.
- If partner’s income drops by at least 15% in 2025/26, request a current income assessment.
Questions?
Contact finance@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk.