Training grant
All eligible new and continuing healthcare students in England can receive a non-means tested training grant of £5,000 per year, pro-rated for part-time courses. Payments are made in three instalments over the year, paid mid-term so as to provide consistent funding through the year between student loan payments at the start of each term.
Students starting on certain priority specialist subjects in 2020/21 (including those on dual subject programmes which incorporate the specialism) can receive an additional £1,000, again pro-rated for part-time courses. In 2021/22, the specialisms qualifying are:
•mental health nursing; and
•learning disability nursing; and
•radiography (diagnostic and therapeutic); and
•prosthetics and orthotics; and
•orthoptics; and
•podiatry.
More support is also available to those studying in certain regions of England with shortages of applicants, who may receive a further £1,000 incentive payment. Exact details were unavailable at the time of writing, but check with NHS Student Bursaries or your university.
You apply for the training grant, and any additional elements if appropriate, via NHS Student Bursaries. An application to Student Finance England or equivalents in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland for standard student support will not automatically trigger payment of support from the NHS, and you will need to make a separate application.