This fund is available to Higher Education Students who find they are not going to receive their Maintenance Loan on time. The loan is designed to help students in financial hardship in the interim until your Student Finance is received.
Award: Up to £500 Loan (repayment terms will be discussed on application)
How to apply: Please contact a member of the Financial Support Team to discuss your situation and eligibility.
Click here to download application form for Short Term Loan (pdf)
This is a hardship fund open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students who have ‘home’ fee status and is in place to help students experiencing financial hardship. In addition to having ‘home’ fee status, students applying for support must be able to evidence that they have applied for/are in receipt of the full support available to them through Student Finance England, i.e. maintenance loan, tuition fee loan, etc. Students who choose not to accept any source of funding available to them, will not be eligible to apply for support through the Access to Learning Fund.
Award: Up to £1500 paid in monthly instalments throughout the year, based on attendance and progression.
How to apply: The fund is available between 06/10/2026 and 28/05/2027, subject to available funds and enrolment status.
Click here to download an application form for the Access to Learning Fund (.pdf)
The Low-Income Bursary is our commitment to help eligible first-year students from
households with an annual income below £25,000 who live in eligible postcode areas.
If demand exceeds the supply of bursaries, a further filter of those studying a STEM subject or those who have studied a previous Level 3 course with DNCG will be applied. It is a non-repayable £500 one-off payment that will be linked to academic progression and retention throughout the year. Where possible, the Financial Support Team will check your details against the Student Loans Company information to ensure you are in receipt of a student loan. However, if you haven’t agreed to share this information with us, we will require you to provide your SFE Award letter.
Award: £500 one-off payment in March 2027.
How to apply: Applications open between 01/12/2026 and 19/02/2027, with payments being made in March. We will initially identify students who are enrolled on an eligible course, live in a qualifying postcode area, and have agreed to share their data through Student Finance England (SFE). If you feel that you are eligible and don’t receive an email from us by 07/12/2026, please contact us so that we can check your eligibility. You will need to agree to share your household income assessment with us by notifying SFE before contacting us.
Our Care Experienced Bursary offers a one-off £500 payment to registered students aged 16-25 who are currently in, or have previously been in, the care of a Local Authority for any length of time and at any stage in their life. This includes adopted children who were previously in care.
Award: £500 one-off payment.
How to apply: If you are currently enrolled and attending the University, you can access the application form by using the link below. The fund is available from 06/10/2026 and will close on 28/05/2027, subject to available funds.
Download application form for Care Experienced Bursary (pdf)
IoT training providers have comprehensive support services for students, including mental health, mentoring, financial, broad pastoral, and academic services, and the purpose of this bursary is to complement this support and remove the barriers to Under Represented Groups (URG) enrolling, attending and achieving their higher-level technical qualifications and moving into employment.
Award: Up to £1000 depending on your financial need.
How to apply: From 06/10/2026, application forms will be sent to students identified as being enrolled on an eligible course and living in a qualifying postcode area. The fund will open on 06/10/2026 and will close on 28/05/2027, subject to funds. If you feel that you are eligible and don’t receive an email from us by 02/11/2026, please contact us so that we can check your eligibility.
Aimed at PGCE students studying to work in FE. ITE bursaries are only available for the following subjects; Computing, Engineering or Manufacturing, Mathematics, Science, English (capped at 100 places) Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
A trainee must:
More information can be found at: FE funding: initial teacher education bursary, 2026 to 2027 – GOV.UK
How to apply: Please contact a member of the Financial Support Team to discuss.
If you wish to appeal your award decision, you may do so by writing to the Customer Services and Financial Support Manager. Your appeal should clearly explain the reasons why you believe the decision should be reviewed and include any supporting evidence you would like to be considered. Appeals should be submitted within 28 days of the date on your award/decline notification. The outcome of the appeal will be confirmed in writing once it has been reviewed.
Email: financialassist@don.ac.uk
Telephone: 01302 553760
Face to Face: Visit the Financial Support Desk between 8.30 am-9.30 am, 11.30 am-1.30 pm or 3.30-4.30 pm (if these times aren’t convenient, please contact us to make a separate appointment).
