Student Specific FAQs
Q. What is an NHS Bursary?
A. bursary is an annual payment awarded to assist with day to day living costs while you are studying. It also includes the cost of your tuition fees for the course you wish to attend. A bursary is not subject to income tax deductions or national insurance contributions. There are two types of bursary available, income assessed and non-income assessed.
- The income assessed bursary is calculated using either your own, your parents income, or that of your spouse, civil partner or your partner, whichever is appropiate.
- The non-income assessed bursary provides a flat rate basic maintainance grant and no contribution is required from your income or that your family.
In addition to the standard bursary, students may also be entitled to apply for further allowances
Q. Am I personally eligible for a NHS Bursary?
A. Eligibility depends on what course you are undertaking, where you live and whether you meet the required eligibility requirements.
If you have any questions about your eligibility, you should first of all contact the university that you are hoping to attend.
Q. How do I apply for a Bursary?
A. Once a university has offered you a training place (either conditionally or unconditionally), they will advise NHS Student Bursaries that you have been successful. We will then send you a letter with your Student Reference Number and details of how to download your Bursary application form.
Q. When will I know how much bursary I will receive?
A. When the NHS Student Bursaries receive your completed application form, your eligibility for a Bursary will be determined and the amount of your award assessed. At this point, a Notification of Award Letter will be issued to you.
This notification will take into account the days your are in attendance; any parental or spouse / civil partner or partner contribution; and the method and frequency of payment.
You can use the on-line bursary calculator to get an estimate of how much bursary you could receive
Q. How will my Bursary be paid?
A. Your Bursary award is calculated on an academic year basis and covers a period of 12 months. For each year of your course, payments commencing in the first month of training will normally be made in 12 equal monthly instalments, regardless of your actual days in attendance. On enrolment however, your first Bursary instalment (in the first year only) will normally be an advance payment to cover the first two months of training.
Q. What happens if my circumstances change?
A. You should report any change in your financial circumstances (or your family's, where a parental or spouse contribution applies) to your college and to NHS Student Bursaries as soon as it occurs.
If there is a change in income of 15% or more your Bursary may be reassessed to take account of the impact on your requirements. You should also notify Student Bursaries of, for example, your spouse/partner/civil partner leaving the family home, the birth of a child, or the death of a dependant. It is also your responsibility to tell Student Bursaries if you have to leave or interrupt your course before the normal completion date.
Q. Will I be eligible for an NHS Bursary if I have already had public funding for higher education?
A. Yes. If your course leads to a professional qualification and your place is funded by the NHS you will be able to get an NHS Bursary.
If you have previously had an NHS Bursary and wish to switch professions, you will be eligible - but Bursaries are not intended for first level nurses and midwives seeking a second registration in nursing or midwifery, or for currently registered health professionals who wish to undertake post-registration training courses.
Q. Will I still be eligible for a bursary if I am attending a part-time course?
A. Yes. Reduced rates of Bursary are payable to students accepted for part-time NHS funded courses. For nursing and midwifery diploma students, this will be the appropriate proportion of the full-time rate. For part-time degree level students who undertake the course over 4 years, the bursary will be 75% of the full-time rate, however, your bursary may be apportioned differently if your part time study differs from this. Any additions for disability will be paid in full and practice placement costs will be paid as appropriate. Bursaries will be assessed and paid by NHS Student Bursaries.
Q. Can I receive a bursary if I am being seconded?
A. No, if you are currently employed by the NHS and your Trust has offered to second you whilst you train, the Trust will continue to pay your salary, and therefore you will not be eligible for a bursary or any of the additional allowances.
Q. I have used the Bursary Calculator but my award is showing as minus, could you please explain why?
A. This is because your parents, spouse or civil partners contribution exceeds the total bursary payable for the academic year. This excess is referred to as a 'travel disregard' and this amount will be set against any practice placements costs you may become eligible for in that year.
For example, if the travel disregard figure is £200, you can still submit your claim form for reimbursement but you will not receive any remuneration until your claim(s) exceeds £200.
If your course is being funded by The London Strategic Health Authority then your university may have their own arrangements for the payment of additional expenses incurred during periods of practice placement. Please contact your university for more information.