Applying for the National Scholarship Programme

This page provides information for students about the National Scholarship Programme. It covers how to apply, the available funds, and under what circumstances students might qualify for the awards.

What is the National Scholarship Programme?

The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) is a government initiative which started in September 2012.

It gives financial help to students entering higher education for the first time and plan to study in England.

The programme is designed to help students whose families' income is £25,000 or less.

NSP awards are in addition to any other loans or grants applicants might apply for.

How do I apply for an NSP award?

Applicants should apply for the NSP though their chosen university or college. They should not apply to HEFCE.

All universities and most colleges are taking part in the NSP.

Each university or college has its own rules about eligibility, and what types of awards are available.

Applicants should make sure they fully understand and meet these rules before they apply for an award.

The web-sites of participating universities and colleges will explain how to apply in each case.

What support will the NSP give me?

Awards might include help with tuition fees, subsidised accommodation, a cash bursary of up to £1,000 or other help.

For full-time students the minimum value of the NSP in the first year is £3,000.

For part-time students the amount they receive will depend on how much study their course involves. If, for example, a part-time student studies half the amount of time as a full-time student they will receive half the award (that is a minimum award of £1,500).

Applicants can find out from their chosen university or college whether or not they qualify as full or part-time students.

Note that part-time students are only able to receive the award in the form of help with tuition fees.

Some institutions may pay students more than the minimum in the first year, or may make additional payments in subsequent years of study.

Am I eligible for the NSP?

The rules which set out whether or not a student can apply are quite broad. At its most basic, students can apply if:

they ordinarily live in England
the household income for where they live is £25,000 or less (for full-time students the Student Loans Company will check this when students apply for the means-tested grant. For part-time students, the university or college will carry out the checks).
they are applying to study either full-time or part-time in higher education in England (if part-time, students must be studying for more than 25 per cent of the full-time equivalent.)
they are an EU national.

But please be aware that each university and college has its own rules beyond these broad criteria. The university or college will make the rules for their particular scheme clear on their web-site. They will also take responsibility for offering awards in a transparent and fair way.

Awards will not be available to individuals who ordinarily live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Other EU nationals and students studying part-time will only qualify for fee waivers, but not maintenance or cash bursary awards.

The following groups of students are not eligible for NSP funding:

Students who ordinarily live in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
NHS-funded students
Students on a postgraduate initial teacher training course leading to qualified teacher status
Students directly continuing from one course to another (for example, from foundation degree or HND on to the final year of an honours degree)
Students transferring from another institution
Students undertaking a postgraduate qualification
Part-time students studying at less than 25 per cent intensity of the full-time equivalent
Any other students whose fees are paid or part-paid through a sponsorship arrangement.

Applicants will find further information on the web-sites of the institutions to which they are applying.

These sites will also provide information about any other awards or bursaries they make available.

For more information about a particular NSP award and eligibility, contact the university or college concerned.