Each year, the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture allocates funding to support Guernsey and Alderney students studying for further and higher education courses. All applications for funding are now fully means tested to ensure that funding reaches those who need it the most. The application window for applying for Dependent and Independent Off-Island funding for 2023-24 has now closed. If there are exceptional circumstances for a late application, please contact us at studentfinance@gov.gg.
Forms for Independent and Dependent award/bursary
During the application window, online applications forms can be found on this page. Please note that the window for Dependent and Independent off-island applications has closed. If there are exceptional circumstances for a late application, please contact us at studentfinance@gov.gg.
For those who have provided their form, please note that all outstanding supporting information must be provided by 18th August 2023. Without it, the application will not be progressed. If there are exceptional circumstances as to why the paperwork cannot be provided by 18th August, please inform us, in writing, by 18th August 2023.
Higher Education - Off Island Study
- Students can apply for financial assistance towards the cost of their tuition fees and living costs (maintenance). The financial assistance given is subject to a means test and the approved Schedule of Fees and Allowances. The Schedule of Fees and Allowances is based on current university fees and calculated living costs, which are reviewed on an annual basis.
- If you are under the age of 25 (or 22-25 without 3 years full-time work or supporting yourself), the means test will be based on your parent(s) or carers' gross worldwide income. This is referred to as a Dependent application.
- If you are over the age of 25 (or over the age of 22 with 3 years full-time work or supporting yourself), the means test will be based on your and your partner's (if applicable) income. This is referred to as an Independent application.
- Please note that Bailiwick students are not eligible to apply for funding from the UK Student Loans Company.
Dependent Student Application
- In order to be eligible for a grant, a Dependent student must be:
- Ordinarily resident in Guernsey or Alderney (on or before 1 September of the year of application)
- And have lived in the Channel Islands, UK, or the Isle of Man for three years immediately up to and including 31st August of the year before the course starts
- And have a valid residency certificate or permit (previously known as a right to work)
- And must be studying a level 4 qualification or above.
- The course must be:
- A full time course
- At least one academic year long
- Lead to a nationally recognised educational qualification
- For a higher qualification than previously gained
- Terms and conditions are available
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- Please note that the window for Dependent off-island applications closed on 31st May 2023. If there are exceptional circumstances for a late application, please contact us at studentfinance@gov.gg.
How is the grant calculated for Dependent Applicants?
- Financial assistance for Dependent applicants is calculated based on gross household income for the previous year. The below formula is used to determine how much a household is due to contribute, and how much financial assistance or 'top up' a student will be eligible for.
- If you would like to check your entitlement, please
- Please note that you will not be eligible for this grant if you have assets exceeding £750,000.
How entitlement is calculated
Gross Household Income minus allowances = Residual income
Residual income divided by 4 = contribution parent is due to make towards education costs, also known as the 'Parental Contribution'
- Household Income entitlement is based on gross household income for the previous year - by gross household income, we mean parental/partner income into the household from any source, prior to any deductions such as tax or social security deductions.
- Allowances the makeup of a household determines the allowances that are applied in the calculation. For example, there are different allowances for a joint or a single household, and additional allowances are given for any dependent children in the household.
- Residual Income the allowances are deducted from a student's parent(s) or carer(s) gross household income to gain the residual income. This is divided by 4 to calculate the Parental Contribution.
Returning students
- If you are a returning student, your parents or carers will be required to complete an Annual Review form to reapply for the grant, but you won't need to provide all the information again.
- Please note that the window for Annual Review applications closed on 31st May 2023. If there are exceptional circumstances for a late application, please contact us at studentfinance@gov.gg.
- Please note that you should let us know if there are any changes to the course, if the student is going into a year abroad or placement year. You should also let us know if there are any changes to the household set up or if your household income has changed by more than 15%. Terms and conditions are available here.
Independent Student Bursary
- Students above the age of 22 with 3 years full-time work or supporting themselves, or students over the age of 25, are classed as Independent students and should apply for assistance via the Independent Student Bursary form.
- Please note that the window for Independent off-island applications closed on the 30th June 2023. If there are exceptional circumstances for a late application, please contact us at studentfinance@gov.gg.
- Terms and conditions are available
- In order to be eligible for a grant, an Independent student must be:
- Ordinarily resident in Guernsey or Alderney (on or before 1 September of the year of application)
- And have lived in the Channel Islands, UK, or the Isle of Man for three years immediately up to and including 31st August of the year before the course starts
- And have a valid residency certificate or permit (previously known as a right to work)
- And must be studying a level 4 qualification or above.
- The course must be:
- A full time course
- At least one academic year long
- Lead to a nationally recognised educational qualification
- For a higher qualification than previously gained
How is the grant calculated for Independent Applicants?
- Financial assistance for Independent applicants is calculated based on the student's (and their partner's, if applicable) gross household income for the previous year. The income brackets in the below table are used to determine the percentage of maintenance Student Finance is due to contribute.
- If your income exceeds the top bracket, at this point, you will be due to contribute at least in part to tuition fees. Please contact us for further information if you believe this applies.
If gross income and asset contribution is:
Percentage of maintenance paid
1.
Less than £20,000
100%
2.
More than £20,000 but not more than £22,000
90%
3.
More than £22,000 but not more than £24,000
80%
4.
More than £24,000 but not more than £26,000
70%
5.
More than £26,000 but not more than £28,000
60%
6.
More than £28,000 but not more than £30,000
50%
7.
More than £30,000 but not more than £32,000
40%
8.
More than £32,000 but not more than £34,000
30%
9.
More than £34,000 but not more than £36,000
20%
10.
More than £36,000 but not more than £38,000
10%
11.
More than £38,000
ZERO
- Returning students
- If you are a returning student (continuing into a further year of study as part of your course), you will be required to complete the following form to reapply for the grant, but you won't need to provide all the information again.
- Please note that the window for Annual Review applications closed on 31st May 2023. If there are exceptional circumstances for a late application, please contact us at studentfinance@gov.gg.
- Please note that you should let us know if there are any changes to the course, if the student is going into a year abroad or placement year. You should also let us know if there are any changes to the household set up or if your household income has changed by more than 15%.
- Terms and conditions are available
Postgraduate Funding
- Postgraduate awards are assessed in the same way as for undergraduate awards, and you will be assessed as either a Dependent or an Independent applicant. Please see the above section for details on assessments and on the grant available.
- In order to apply for funding for a postgraduate course, please use either this form for a Dependent (based on parental income) application, or use this form for an Independent application, rather than a separate postgraduate form. Criteria for each category are in the above section, but if you are unsure about which form to complete, please contact us for further information.
- Please note that while awards for postgraduate courses are no longer competitive, students will need to provide confirmation of their place on the course and are expected to have achieved at least a 2:1 or 2:2 in their undergraduate degree. Additionally, you will still be asked to provide confirmation of your place on the course and the course fees.
The Guernsey Institute (TGI) (Full Time Study)
- Students can apply for financial assistance towards the cost of their tuition fees and maintenance costs (living costs). You can make an application here..
- Students under the age of 22 will not be charged tuition fees by TGI.
- Assistance with tuition fees and maintenance costs (living costs) are only available to students that are 20 years of age or over at the start of the academic year.
- The financial assistance is subject to a means-test based on the student's income and any partner, if applicable, and any savings they have available to them.
- In order to be eligible, a student must be:
- Ordinarily resident in Guernsey or Alderney (on or before 1st September of the year of application)
- Plus, have lived in the Channel Islands, UK, or the Isle of Man for three years immediately up to and including 31st August the year before the course starts.
- Plus, have a valid residency certificate or permit (previously known as a right to work)
- Plus, have savings of less than £20,000
- The course must be:
- At least one academic year long
- Lead to a nationally recognised educational qualification
- For a higher qualification than previously gained
- Amount of grant payable
- Financial assistance for full-time applicants is calculated based on the student's (and their partner's, if applicable) gross household income for the previous year. The income brackets in the below table are used to determine the percentage of maintenance Student Finance is due to contribute.
- If your income exceeds the top bracket, at this point, you will be due to contribute at least in part to tuition fees. Please contact us for further information if you believe this applies.
- Please note that you will not be eligible for this grant if you have savings exceeding £20,000.
The Guernsey Institute (TGI) Full-time Student - Income Brackets
If gross income and asset contribution is-
Percentage of maintenance paid
1.
Less than £20,000
100%
2.
More than £20,000 but not more than £22,000
90%
3.
More than £22,000 but not more than £24,000
80%
4.
More than £24,000 but not more than £26,000
70%
5.
More than £26,000 but not more than £28,000
60%
6.
More than £28,000 but not more than £30,000
50%
7.
More than £30,000 but not more than £32,000
40%
8.
More than £32,000 but not more than £34,000
30%
9.
More than £34,000 but not more than £36,000
20%
10.
More than £36,000 but not more than £38,000
10%
11.
More than £38,000
ZERO
- The maximum grant is £213.07 per week in term time, or £119.40 per week for those students, aged 20+, who remain living at home (including half-term holidays). No grant is paid for the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays.
If childcare is required so that you may attend the course, we may fund the provision of childcare at an approved nursery or pre-school for the times the student is at College attending lessons only (plus a small allowance for travelling time). Please contact us for further information if this applies.
The Guernsey Institute (TGI) (Part Time Study)
- Students that are 20 years of age or over at the start of the academic year can apply for financial assistance towards the cost of their tuition fees, but please note that students under the age of 22 will not be charged tuition fees by TGI. You can make an application here..
- The financial assistance is subject to a means-test based on the student's income and any partner, if applicable, and any savings they have available to them.
- In order to be eligible, a student must be:
- Ordinarily resident in Guernsey or Alderney (on or before 1st September of the year of application)
- Plus, have lived in the Channel Islands, UK, or the Isle of Man for three years immediately up to and including 31st August the year before the course starts.
- Plus, have a valid residency certificate or permit (previously known as a right to work)
- Plus, have savings of less than £20,000
- The course must be:
- At least one academic year long
- Lead to a nationally recognised educational qualification
- For a higher qualification than previously gained
- Amount of grant payable
- Financial assistance for part-time applicants is calculated based on the student's (and their partner's, if applicable) gross household income for the previous year. The income brackets in the below table are used to determine the percentage of tuition fees Student Finance is due to contribute.
- Please note that you will not be eligible for this grant if you have savings exceeding £20,000.
The Guernsey Institute (TGI) Part-time Student - Income Brackets
GROSS HOUSEHOLD INCOME
STUDENT CONTRIBUTION
Up to £29,000
No contribution but student will be charged if they fail to complete the course*
£29,001 to £31,000
Student pays 10% or £25 whichever is greater
£31,001 to £33,000
Student pays 25%
£33,001 to £35,000
Student pays 50%
£35,001 to £37,000
Student pays 75%
£37,001 to £39,000
Student Finance will pay 10% or £25 whichever is greater
£39,001 +
No Student Finance Contribution
Higher Education - On Island Study
- If you wish to apply for On Island degree funding (including for Open University modules), please complete the application form here: On-Island Degree Student Finance Application (For New and Continuing Students). When completing the form, please use previous year (2022) income.
- Students can apply for financial assistance towards the cost of their tuition fees.
- The financial assistance is subject to a means test based on the student's income or their partner, if applicable and any savings they have available to them.
- In order to be eligible, a student must be:
- Ordinarily resident in Guernsey or Alderney (on or before 1st September of the year of application)
- Plus, have lived in the Channel Islands, UK, or the Isle of Man for three years immediately up to and including 31st August the year before the course starts
- Plus, have a valid residency certificate or permit (previously known as a right to work)
- The course must be:
- For a higher qualification than previously gained
- Lead to a nationally recognised educational qualification
- Amount of grant payable :
- Financial assistance for applicants is calculated based on the student's (and their partner's, if applicable) gross household income for the previous year. The income brackets in the below table are used to determine the percentage of tuition fees Student Finance is due to contribute.
- Please note that you will not be eligible for this grant if you have assets exceeding £750,000.
On Island Funding - Income Brackets: (Living alone or with partner)
If gross worldwide household income and assets is:
Percentage of course fees paid
Not more than £23,000
90%
More than £23,000 but not more than £27,000
80%
More than £27,000 but not more than £31,000
70%
More than £31,000 but not more than £35,000
60%
More than £35,000 but not more than £39,000
50%
More than £39,000 but not more than £43,000
40%
More than £43,000 but not more than £47,000
30%
More than £47,000 but not more than £51,000
20%
More than £51,000
10%
- Open University
- Funding for Open University is administered on a module-by module basis, but for those applying for multiple modules with the same start date, please include these in the same application. Please ensure you provide both a Registration Agreement form and a Sponsorship Agreement form for each module that you are wishing to apply for, in order that your application can be processed in full.
- Please complete the On Island Degree Funding Application (link above) to apply for funding for Open University modules, this is both for new and continuing students.
Students should register with the Open University before making an application to the Student Finance team.
Once your application has been assessed by us, you will be notified in writing of the outcome and your registration agreement and sponsorship agreement will be returned to you. You should then forward these together with a copy of your award letter to the Open University to finalise your registration.
Applicants are asked to note that the OU requires students to complete enrolment one month before the course starts and the Student Finance team requires approximately one month prior to that in order to process applications. Therefore students should be aware that they may need to submit applications for grants two months prior to the start of the course.
We will respond to your request as quickly as possible, but if for any reason there is a delay in this process (perhaps because we need to ask you for supplementary information), then you are advised to keep in touch with the Open University registration service to ensure your place is held open. You should not make any payments to the OU before your application for funding is processed, so not to cause confusion.
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA Funding)
- DSA funding is available to help cover extra costs that students may have in relation to any disability or specific needs, as identified by a medical report or full diagnostic report. This can include long-term health conditions, mental-health condition, or specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. If you believe you may qualify for this, please contact us on studentfinance@gov.gg.
