Bursary Non-repayable financial support provided by the college or university (the amount received varies from one institution to another).
Dependent Students Students will be classed as dependent if they are financially dependent on one or both of their parents or do not qualify as an independent student (see below).
Gross Income Income before tax has been deducted.
Household Income Gross household income as assessed by your local authority.
Independent Students Students will be classed as independent if they have supported themselves for three years, have care of a child or young person under the age of 18, have no living parents, or who are married/in a civil partnership.
Maintenance Grant A non-repayable grant available to students from households with an income of up to £60,005.
Maintenance Loan A repayable loan provided by the government. The Maintenance Loan is sometimes called the student loan for living costs.
Means Test An inquiry into the financial position of someone applying for financial aid.
Net Income Income after tax has been deducted.
Non-repayable Financial support which does not have to be paid back.
Parental Contribution The amount of financial support that should be provided by parents, carers or guardians.
Repayable Financial support which must eventually be paid back.
Residual Income Amount remaining after your local authority has calculated the gross taxable income of the household and offset all allowable deductions.
Scholarships Scholarships can be awarded for academic attainment or be subject based. Scholarships are non-repayable.
Tuition fees Tuition fees are a portion of the cost of a higher education course charged to you by the institution providing your course.
Tuition fee loan A repayable loan provided by the government. You can get a loan to cover the cost of part or all of your fees.
