Research what types of support are available, as it could make a real difference to your budget.
This support is to help you pay for extra costs you have on your course because of a disability. The support you get depends on your needs and circumstances, and is not assessed on household income. This does not have to be repaid.
There are four areas this can cover;
Specialist equipment like computer equipment (up to £5030 for full-time students for the length of course)
• Non-medical helpers, for example notetakers or academic support (up to £20,000 a year for full-time students)
• Other/general expenditure (up to £1680 a year for full-time students)
• Disability-related travel costs
For more information on funding and benefits, contact SKILL; the National Bureau for students with disabilities; http://www.skill.org.uk
The childcare grant is money to help you pay for childcare costs while you are a full-time student and have children in 'registered' or 'approved' childcare. The amount you get will depend on your household income and your actual childcare costs. You do not have to repay this help. You apply for this before or during your course, along with your other main student financial support.
You may be entitled to this, if you are a full-time student with dependent children. This support (along with the childcare grant) can help pay for childcare and other costs related to your course. The amount you get will depend on your household income.
The Adult Dependants' Grant can provide extra non-repayable financial help if you are a full-time higher education student with an adult who depends on you financially.
An adult dependant could be a partner or another adult who depends on you financially.
The amount you can receive depends on your household income and the maximum amount available is £2,575 in 2008/9.
You can apply for these grants when you apply for your main student finanace support, and they will normally be paid in instalments alongside this. More information at: Direct Gov.