Nursing. Midwifery and Health Courses

Funding information for students of Nursing, Midwifery and other health professional courses

The Unit dealing with NHS funding for both degree and diploma courses is::

The NHS Student Grants Unit
Government Buildings, Room 212c
Norcross
Blackpool FY5 3TA

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

E mail: advice@nhscareers.nhs.uk

Telephone 0845 6060655
Application forms for NHS bursaries are normally sent out automatically to students who have been accepted on an NHS funded course.

Diploma courses in Nursing and Operating Department Practice
These courses are completely funded by the NHS, there is no need for any contact with LEAs or the Student Loans Company.

Tuition fees for diploma nursing and ODP courses will be paid by the NHS.
For living costs, an NHS Bursary is payable. The bursary is not means tested, but is subject to certain residential requirements.
Additions for dependants can be made to the basic bursary. These depend on the dependants' income, if any.

Bursary amounts for 2009/10 are

Basic rate for all students £6,701
For an adult dependant or first child £2,235
For each subsequent child, or first child if there is an adult dependant £539
Parents' Learning Allowance £1,104

Please note that diploma nursing students are not eligible for student loans, however those in financial hardship can apply to theUniversity's Access to Learning Fund.

Payment of NHS bursaries
Bursaries are paid in monthly instalments. The first payment will covertwo months and will be paid by cheque. Subsequent payments will be mademonthly by BACS.

Degree Courses in Nursing, Midwifery and other Health Disciplines
Degree courses in Nursing, Midwifery and health disciplines such asPodiatry, Dietetics and Physiotherapy are mainly funded by the NHS, but a partial student loan is available.

Tuition fees are met by the NHS, regardless of income.

A Bursary is available for living costs, though at a lower rate thanfor the Diploma courses. Bursaries are always means tested, and subjectto residency requirements.The current basic rate is £2,810 for thoseliving in their own accommodation, £2,346 for those staying in the parental home..
In addition, there is an extra £2,640 available for a partner or the first dependant child, and £539 for subsequent children [or first child if there is an adult dependant]
A Parents' Learning Allowance of up to £1,303 may also be available.
Please note that these amounts are all means tested , according to parental/spouse income, or for single independant students, according to student's own income.
NHSbursaries are paid by monthly instalment. The NHS Grants Unit assessedbursary entitlement, and students should receive an application formshortly after being accepted onto a course.

Students on the degree courses only can also get a Student Loan, though at a reduced rate.
The current rate is £2,324 [£1,744] if staying in parental home] with payment being in three termly instalments by BACS.
You must apply for the Student Loan on form PN1, obtainable from LEAs or from www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk

Other help
If you will be in financial hardship, you can apply to the University'sAccess to Learning Fund, which can look at your overall situation ,orconsider an emergency.
To get a form e mail studentfunding@plymouth.ac.uk
Awards aremade according to your individual circumstances,subject to availability, and at the University's discretion.

IMPORTANT NOTE: BECAUSE NURSING ANDHEALTH COURSE HAVE TUITION FEES PAID BY THE NHS AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO DEFERRED [ 'TOP UP'] FEES, STUDENTS ON THESE COURSE ARE NOT ELIGIBLEFOR ANY SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES UNDER THE UNIVERSITY'S OFFA AGREEMENT. UNIVERSITY BURSARIES ARE NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH NHS BURSARIES.