Funding for Under 25 (Self-Supporting)

If you qualify 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 will be 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.

You could get the funding below to help with your studies.

Note: Most support is income-assessed, so it may be reduced or not awarded depending on your household income. This doesn’t apply to disability support (for all students) or travel/study costs (for students under 18).

How your partner’s income changes your weekly maintenance bursary:

Note: Partner contributions may be reduced if there are other children or parentally supported students at home.

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.

• Maria, 21, is single, claiming Universal Credit (UC), and is estranged from her parents. Her UC claim cannot continue because she doesn’t meet any of the exceptions for full-time students. She gets £125.55/week maintenance bursary, free tuition, study costs, free bus travel (since she’s under 22), and discretionary funds for rent.
• Liam, 23, is married with a 5-year-old child. His partner earns £65,000, so he isn’t eligible for support due to their household income.
• Sophie, 24, is single, lives with parents, and has supported herself through employment for over 3 years. She gets £125.55/week maintenance bursary, free tuition, study costs and travel (over 2 miles).

• 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.

Information Required

• Personal details
• Residency
• Education
• Student’s income
• Partner’s income
• Dependent children
• Parent(s)’ income
• 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)
• Parents’ death certificates (if applicable)
• Estrangement letter (if applicable, from a professional on official letterhead)
• Financial independence proof (if applicable, e.g., P60s, benefit letters for 3 years)

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.

• 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.