Guides and toolkit

Capping guidance for universities

Social work bursaries capping guidance for universities (PDF: 170KB)

Undergraduate capping guidance
Capping guidance for universities (year 2 undergraduates) (PDF: 498.18KB)

Postgraduate capping guidance

Capping guidance for universities (year 1 postgraduates) (PDF: 522.11KB)

Information to help students

Your guide to social work bursaries 2021/22 (PDF: 3.28 MB)

Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs)

Guide to DSAs (PDF: 1.4 MB)

View information from the Department of Health and Social Care regarding social work bursary funding in 2021/22, including bursary allocations and rates.

Withdrawal form (SWB02) (PDF: 908KB)Repeat funding form (SWB03) (PDF: 909KB)Extended studies form (SWB04) (PDF: 914KB)

Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses for NHS Bursary students and universities 2021/22 (PDF: 611KB) NHS Bursary (BUR) forms - Guidance for universities (PDF: 455KB)Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs) (PDF: 1.4MB)NHS Bursary funding for Medical and Dental students 2021/22 (PDF: 741KB)

We are not able to accept any old versions of forms.

Make sure we have the right contact details for your university by completing a university/college contact details form (Excel: 120KB).

Following your feedback, most of the NHS Bursary forms are in Excel format, are not academic year specific and have clear guidance on what information needs to be captured.

When completing the NHS Bursary forms that are Excel documents, you must return them to us:

• by email
• with the Excel file attached

We cannot extract the data if you send it in any other format.

All NHS Bursary forms must be returned to nhsbsa.HEIForms@nhs.net when completed.

NHS Bursary Scheme new rules (tenth edition) 2021/22 published by the Department of Health and Social Care. 

NHS Learning Support Fund guidance booklet 2021/22 (PDF: 374KB) Exceptional Support Fund guidance booklet (PDF: 408 KB)Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) guidance booklet (PDF: 370KB)

Student loan support

Guidance about student loan support for NHS courses for the 2021/22 academic year is available on the Student Finance England website.

NHS Financial Support for Health Students - Learning Support Fund 2021/22 rules are published by the Department of Health and Social Care.

If a final year student needs an extension, you must send a request by using your university portal.

Extensions because of coronavirus

Students who need an extension because of coronavirus must be put through the university portal as a change request. The 'effective from date' is the date the extension will start. You'll also need to provide:

• the reason for the extension. For example, if coronavirus has affected whether a student can complete their placement or studies
• expected completion date

• confirmation that the student might be able to complete the course on time. You must provide details showing the work done to help the student to complete their course

We can send requests for longer extensions to a DHSC and HEE verification panel. We may need more information as part of this process.

Extensions for reasons other than coronavirus

NHS Learning Support Fund does not provide funding for extensions. This is because this is a supplementary funding provision.

Allowances are only available for the time that it takes to complete the course.

Students might be able to get an extension of up to 12 months for reasons other than coronavirus. We'll assess these applications on a case by case basis.

If you need to submit an extension request for reasons other than coronavirus, you'll need to send a change request through your portal. The 'effective from date' is the date the extension will start. You'll also need to provide:

• the reason for the extension and as much information as possible. For example, disability, maternity, or illness
• the expected completion date
• confirmation that the student might be able to complete the course on time. You must provide details showing the work done to help the student to complete their course

If you have any questions about extensions, contact us by using the queries button in the portal.

Sign up to our contact list for updates on funding. 

Authorised and registered university staff users can access the NHS LSF university portal by entering their email address and password.

These posters can be printed A4 or A3 size. Select 'fit to page' in your print settings, to make sure your margins are correct.

Student coversheet poster (PDF: 1.2MB)Fraud Poster - Spot it. Report it (PDF: 688KB)Fraud Poster - Bring it to light (PDF: 672KB)Find more information about reporting fraud in the NHS at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority website.

These posters provide advice and information on how students can save money on NHS charges. They’re available to display in your university or college.

To get copies, contact us by telephone: 0300 123 0849.

Find out about call charges

NHS Low Income Scheme poster (HC10) (PDF: 26KB)Prescription Prepayment Certificate Poster for Students (PDF: 237KB)

You can find out more information about help with health costs for students and people on a low income.

These leaflets can be printed A4 or A3 size. They've been produced with your open days in mind, so you can provide prospective or current students with an overview of NHS student bursaries and social work bursaries.

Social Work Bursaries leaflet (PDF: 223KB)Fraud awareness leaflet (PDF: 672KB)Student Services - what we do (PDF: 250KB)

All the latest materials relating to the NHS Learning Support Fund for the 2020/21 academic year are now available. 

The materials below are relevant to the 2019/20 academic year.

Child Dependants Allowance (CDA):

Student Journey (PDF: 951KB)HEI Journey (PDF: 953KB)CDA Poster (PDF: 31KB)

​​​Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses Allowance (TDAE):

Student Journey (PDF: 982KB)HEI Journey (PDF: 997KB)TDAE Poster (PDF :30KB)Completing your TDAE claim (PDF: 3.6MB)

Exceptional Support Fund:

Student Journey (PDF: 964KB)HEI Journey (PDF: 963KB)ESF Poster (PDF: 30KB)Completing your ESF claim (PDF: 666KB)