Financial support can help towards paying your fees and other study related costs - such as travel and childcare. In the UK there are four nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) which each have their own financial support arrangements for students.
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, whether you are a new or continuing Open University student and when you intend to start studying.
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 and by the financial support deadline shown on the course description in Study at the OU.
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.
Financial Support 2011-2012
If you are intending to study in the academic year 2011-2012 (up to and including 31 August 2012), we recommend you use our eligibility checker. Just answer a series of simple questions relating to your circumstances, and you’ll get a personalised summary of what financial support you could qualify for, and details of how to apply.
Once you've chosen and reserved your course, go straight to the online financial support application. Using the online application is the quickest and easiest way to apply for financial support.
Students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales can access information and an application form here for the 'Access to Learning Fund: Application for study-related costs'.
Students in Scotland can access information and an application form here.
Financial Support from September 2012
From 1st September 2012 many new OU students in England will be eligible for a government-backed student loan. Our financial support arrangements will change as a result and we expect more information about this, and details of how to apply, along with information about financial support arrangements for students in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to be available from early 2012.
Please see Fees 2012 for details of student loans and to find out more about transitional funding for current students, along with the latest information about other funding options for all nations.
Contacts
Financial Support Office (for enquirers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
01908 653411 (Mon to Thurs 08:30-17:30, Fri 08:30-17:00)
Email: financial-support@open.ac.uk
At certain peak times, the financial support phone lines will operate restricted opening hours (10am to 4pm). This is to allow maximum time for processing financial support applications.
The Open University in Scotland (for enquirers in Scotland)
0131 226 3851
Email: scotland@open.ac.uk
