Financial support

Financial support can help towards paying your fees and other study related costs - such as travel and childcare.

The type and level of financial support you are entitled to varies, and depends not only on where you live but on your income, previous qualifications, level of intended study, and when you intend to start studying.

Students with a physical or sensory disability, a mental health difficulty, dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty may be able to get help with extra study costs, regardless of their income.

Wales and Northern Ireland: Fee grants, Course grants and the Access to Learning Fund
Scotland: Fee waivers, fee grants, ILAs and discretionary funds
England: financial support to get you started
Extra help in the UK: Disabled Students’ Allowance

You need to allow plenty of time if you’re applying for financial support. The deadlines vary, depending on which course you are studying. Please apply as early as possible.

Wales and Northern Ireland: Fee grants, Course grants and the Access to Learning Fund

Depending on your income and your course of study, you could be eligible to apply for a Fee grant, Course grant or help from the Access to Learning Fund.

Fee grant and Course grant – if you are on certain benefits or have a household income below £28,065 (plus allowances, where applicable) you can apply for some support towards your module fees and study costs.

If you live with your parents, their income won’t be included in any assessment of your household income.

You’ll need to be studying between 30 and 120 credits' worth of modules to qualify (usually with a minimum of 30 credits for any one module).

Access to Learning Fund – students with a household income below £28,065 (plus allowances, where applicable) can apply for assistance from the Access to Learning Fund. This fund is provided to assist students who are facing higher than expected costs as a result of their study. It can’t be used to pay for tuition fees, but will support course-related costs such as travel, childcare and internet access. Funding may be limited and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about financial support, try our on-line eligibility checker or speak to an adviser.

Scotland: Fee waivers, fee grants, ILAs and discretionary funds

Part-time fee waiver – if you are studying an OU undergraduate qualification and are on certain benefits or have a household income of under £16,510 (or more if you have dependants) you could qualify for a module fee waiver, which will cover the total cost of your tuition fees for the module so you pay nothing. Certain modules may not qualify.

Part-time fee grant – if your personal income is £22,000 or less a year, or you’re on certain benefits, you can claim up to £500 a year towards your module fees if you are studying at least 40 credits a year. You will need to apply in time to complete your application by the final enrolment date of your module.

ILA Scotland learner account – ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme for anyone aged 16 or over living in Scotland studying at undergraduate level. If your personal income is £22,000 or less a year, or you’re on certain benefits, you can claim up to £200 a year towards a wide range of modules, where the amount of study is less than 40 credits. You will need to apply in time to complete your application by the final enrolment date of your module.

Discretionary funds – students in financial hardship may be eligible to apply for help with study costs.

For more information about financial support, try our on-line eligibility checker or speak to an adviser.

England: financial support to get you started

If your annual household income is less than £25,000 and you’re new to higher education, you may be eligible for a place on the Access to Success route.

Access to Success is the Open University’s unique low cost entry route to higher education, available to students in England.

It's jointly funded by the OU and the government’s National Scholarship Programme and is designed for people who are new to higher education, on low incomes and who may not yet be confident to begin their studies by committing to a fee loan.

You'll be able to build your confidence and study skills in preparation for further study towards a nationally-recognised OU qualification.

If you’re eligible, you’ll only need to contribute £75 towards £3,125 worth of fees. For more information visit the Access to Success website.

There is also some discretionary support that is means-tested to help pay for study related costs such as childcare expenses and travel via the Access to Learning Fund.

For more information about financial support, try our on-line eligibility checker or speak to an adviser.

Extra help: Disabled Students’ Allowance

Disabled Students’ Allowances help with study costs that result directly from your disability or specific learning difficulty.

This allowance is not means-tested and may go towards specialist equipment (such as an adapted computer), non-medical study support (for example, a sign-language interpreter; a note-taker or a dyslexia support worker) or other study related expenses. You can also apply for help with study-related travel costs that directly result from your disability.

You may be eligible for a DSA if you’re studying at least 30 credits (60 credits in Scotland) towards an OU undergraduate qualification that lasts for more than one year.

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