Bursaries support you through your studies; they are non-repayable.
Please also see our pages on scholarships and grants for more information about financial support.
Solent University seeks to do all we can to support students who are in financial need and we are constantly reviewing our offering to ensure the money has the maximum impact on the students who need it most; therefore all Solent bursaries can be subject to change.
We will always try to keep this page up to date, but please email student.funding@solent.ac.uk if you would like to check any of the details below.
University support
2023/24 applicants
Applicants for September 2023/24 entry should apply for bursaries through the applicant portal. You will need your applicant user name and password to log in.
Care leavers, Foyer Federation and supported accommodation bursary
The University offers a bursary for students who have been in local authority care.
The support package includes a £1,500 bursary each academic year. Eligible students should complete (depending on their situation).
For further information on the support available to care leavers please visit the care leavers support page or download our leaflet.
Carers bursary
Students who are carers for their parents or an immediate family member (excluding children), and have been recognised as such by their local authority, may be able to apply for the University’s carers bursary.
This is a non-repayable bursary of £1,200 awarded to young carers who continue to have caring responsibilities while they are studying at university. It is paid in instalments into the student’s bank account.
Estranged students bursary
Students who are recognised as ‘irreconcilably estranged’ by Student Finance England can apply to the University’s estranged students bursary for each year of their studies.
This is a non-repayable bursary of £1,500 awarded to students who continue to be estranged from their parents while they are studying at university. It is paid in instalments into the student’s bank account over the academic year.
Support grant
For further information on how to apply, please visit the grants homepage.
Local student bursary scheme
The Local Student Bursary Scheme is entirely funded by alumni (former Solent students), staff and friends of Solent University, and it is through their kind donations that we can support local students. The bursary is £1,000 and for one academic year only. We are delighted to announce that there are approximately 29 bursaries to award for 2024/25.
Applicants must be:
- Enrolled on a full-time undergraduate course.
- From an admissions address (home address prior to starting at Solent University) of a UK ‘SO’ or ‘PO’ household postcode in the last two years and/or come from any of our partner sixth form schools and colleges.
- From a household income of less than £25,000 a year (receiving the maximum maintenance loan), as confirmed by Student Finance England.
Any full-time undergraduate student can apply (if they meet the criteria), however priority will be given to those from the lowest gross household incomes.
Successful applicants will be notified in December 2024 of the result of their application.
If you are interested in donating to our Local Student Bursary Scheme, please contact our Communities Development Team.
External support
Social work bursary
Current students doing a social work degree may be eligible for the social work bursary.
The bursary recognises that social work students have to undertake 200 days of hands-on placements, which reduces their ability to take a part-time job.
It is payable to undergraduate students in year two and year three, and to postgraduate students.
All students must reapply for their bursary each academic year.
Please call 0300 3301 342 (NHS) for more information, or email them using nhsbsa.swb1@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
External support
Disabled Student Allowance
The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) can help to pay for any costs or expenses incurred that arise due to disability. It is not income-assessed and there is no upper age limit.
Full-time, part-time and postgraduate students with disabilities are able to make an application for DSA. Applications are made to Student Finance England (SFE) via GOV.UK.
The allowance will be paid either directly to you or to the supplier of your specialist services. SFE will notify you in writing about the equipment and support that they will fund. This process usually takes four to six weeks.
For more information, please read the DSA Guide 2016/17 or contact the University's disability coordinator.
