Financial support for all students

Financial support for all students

You get a one-off, needs-based grant to cover living costs when you are in serious financial difficulty at the University of Edinburgh. There is no fixed amount. The sum is worked out individually from your income, savings and outgoings. You can ask to have it paid in several instalments. The money is meant for unexpected or emergency situations, a gap in your regular living costs, commuting costs to reach your studies, or minimum debt payments that threaten your housing or basic services. The fund is paid for jointly by the Scottish Government and the University, which handles up to 1,000 applications a year. It does not cover tuition fees, visa costs, medical costs, loan repayments or costs you could have seen coming.

Who can apply

• University: You are fully enrolled at the University of Edinburgh. If you are registered for exams only, or not yet enrolled, you cannot apply.
• Level: You are an undergraduate or postgraduate, full-time or part-time.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply, both UK and international students.
• Financial need: You are facing severe financial difficulty, often from something unforeseen.
• Student loans: If you receive SAAS or SLC funding (Scottish or UK government student loans), you must already have applied for the maximum income-assessed loan available to you.
• Where you study: If you are an exchange student, or your degree is split between two universities and Edinburgh is not the lead, you apply through your home or lead institution instead.
• Priority: Students at risk of homelessness, single parents, care leavers and those without family support are given priority.

How to apply

Before applying, talk through your situation with the Welfare Advisors at the Students' Association Advice Place. They can help you prepare. You then apply online through EdHelp with your university login and upload the required documents, including eight weeks of statements for every bank account you hold. There is no deadline. Applications run all year, and you can apply more than once in the same academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a competitive award but a safety net. Any enrolled Edinburgh student in genuine hardship can apply. Decisions rest on a case-by-case check of your finances rather than a fixed number of places. Your chances are strongest if you have already taken your full student loan, have no savings to fall back on, and can document a real shortfall. Regular non-essential spending, such as gambling or eating out, weakens a case.