While studying with us there are several additional funding opportunities which could be available to you. These range from temporary loans to help you manage your finances until you receive your student finance, to additional bursaries to help during times of financial difficulty.
Available Support
Short Term Loan (Bridging Loan)
- Available to students awaiting student finance payments.
- Once enrolled, you can apply for this loan.
- Available throughout the year.
- You will need to provide evidence of your student finance award and bank statements.
- You will hear back within 7 days following application.
Student Opportunity Fund
- Non repayable
- Money awarded is based on individual circumstances
- Opens for application from October/November each year
- To help students experiencing financial hardship.
- You will need to provide evidence of your student finance award and bank statements.
- Application forms can be completed with support, if needed.
Low Income Bursary – £500
- Applications go live in December, to receive funding upon return to university following the Christmas break in January.
- This bursary is available for first year students
- Application forms can be completed with support, if needed.
Care Leavers Bursary – £500
- Are you under 25 years of age? Do you live in accommodation provided by the local authority (for at least 13 weeks, before the age of 16 years) – if yes, then you could qualify for this bursary.
- Available each year you study.
- If you are a care leaver, please let us know on your application
BAME Bursary -£500
- The BAME Bursary is intended to support 10 BAME students to maximise their potential by returning to their second, or later years of study. For further information please contact our HE Admin or speak to a member of our student support team.
Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Bursary (Department of Education)
- Aimed at PGCE students, studying to work in FE.
- Welcome applications from anyone.
- More information and application forms can be found on the Government website
DSA Support
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) provides extra help to cover the study-related costs you may incur because of a health condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.
DSA is available for both full-time and part-time students and is dependent on their individual needs – not household income, so this support can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you may currently receive.
You may be eligible to apply to DSA if you have a:
- A long-term medical condition such as fibromyalgia or diabetes
- A learning disability such as dyslexia
- A mental health condition such as anxiety or depression
- A physical disability such as a vision or hearing impairment
Every student is assessed on their own individual needs to discover if they are entitled to specialist one to one support, equipment (such as a laptop), specialist software, printing cost allowance and help with travel costs.
Apprenticeship support
Please note that students who are on an apprenticeship programme are not eligible to apply for a bursary as per funding guidance – students who are on a traineeship programme may be eligible for a bursary if they meet the eligibility criteria. If you are an apprentice and experiencing financial difficulty, please contact the welfare department.
If you have any questions or queries regarding the financial support available to you, please email financialassist@don.ac.uk.