Extra funding options

When you're a student, every little bit of extra cash helps, which is why these extra sources of funding are worth checking out.

Be warned, they do not come to you automatically. You have to work at hunting them down, but it pays to be persistent.

Educational charities and trusts

These often give money to very specific groups of students, and usually give small one-off payments (about £300 maximum) to the applicants. Ask around; try your LEA, Town Hall, local clergy, student union, careers services or Citizens Advice Bureau. There are also scholarships and prizes that can be awarded, so consult your college student services too.

Ask anybody on the list above if they have access to funding databases that match funding sources with specific needs. Examples of these include the Fundfinder, Inspire, and Moneysearch databases.

Sponsorships

Various organisations offer sponsorships and bursaries for courses. A few of these schemes require the student to work for the organisation during holidays and after graduation. One good resource is a handbook called Sponsorship and Funding Directory 2004 (Hobsons), available in public libraries.

Career Development Loans

This is a deferred loan repayment system, run by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) in association with Barclays, The Co-operative, Clydesdale, and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Between £300-?8000 can be borrowed to pay for fees and other expenses. Most high street banks now offer 'professional studies loans' which are schemes for students of medicine, dentistry, law, veterinary science and architecture.

College Access Funds

Individual colleges administer these funds locally. They are used to 'anticipate need', to act as a safety net for students, and to support innovative initiatives. Small payments may be given to cover equipment, childcare, living costs and fees.

It is best to consult your local students' union, or your student advice/counselling centre before applying for access funds. The money is usually non-repayable, but may sometimes be given as a loan in particular circumstances.

State benefits

Full-time students are not usually eligible for most Social Security benefits. For information on exceptions to this rule, check with the NUS, your local student services or the Employment Service.