Funding for Universal Credit Claimants

If you’re claiming Universal Credit (UC), you may still be eligible for funding to support your full-time studies. Funding is assessed in the usual way – refer to your age category for more details.

If you’re eligible, you will receive a maximum weekly maintenance bursary of £28.

You could get the funding below to help with your studies. Funding amounts depend on household income unless otherwise noted.

• The maintenance bursary is counted as unearned income for UC. The first £110/month is ignored but amounts above that will reduce UC payments pound-for-pound. The bursary also removes work-related requirements while studying.
• Other types of support (tuition fees, EMA, travel, study costs, childcare, and disability support) do not affect UC.
• UC may provide more total support than a bursary, especially for students with children, housing costs, or disabilities. It also provides access to additional benefits like the Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grants, Council Tax Reduction, and Scottish Welfare Fund.

• Becky, 24, is a lone parent. She keeps UC, gets £28/week maintenance bursary, free tuition, study costs, travel (over 2 miles), and childcare support.
• Sam, 25, has a limited capability for work and gets Adult Disability Payment. He keeps UC, gets £28/week maintenance bursary, free tuition, study costs, and disability support for taxi costs due to inability to travel independently.
• Jasper, 16, is estranged. He is eligible for UC due to no parental support. He gets £30/week EMA, free tuition, study costs, and free bus travel (under 22).
• Ania, 30, and Piotr, 32, are a couple. Ania earns £17,000. Joint UC claim continues (Ania qualifies as non-student), Piotr gets £28/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 (if applicable)
• Dependent children (if applicable)
• Bank details
• Travel details

Documents Required (not exhaustive)

• Proof of identity (e.g., passport, birth certificate)
• e-Visa (for non-UK nationals)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Birth certificate (children, if applicable)
• Student’s income (e.g., Universal Credit statement)
• Partner’s income (e.g., P60, SA302, joint Universal Credit statement)

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 your or your partner’s income drops by at least 15% in 2025/26, request a current income assessment.