In this guide
7. Applying for student funding
Funding for students from Wales, or, in some cases, studying in Wales, entering higher education in the UK is provided though Student Finance Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government.
You can apply for grants and loans to help with your living costs and an up-front loan to cover your tuition fees.
Maintenance grants and loans
Every eligible new full-time undergraduate will receive a minimum grant of £1,000 a year to help with living costs, topped up with a loan if needed. Part-time students will receive equivalent support on a pro-rata basis.
Students from homes with a lower household income may be eligible for a larger grant. This additional support is means-tested and based on household income. For part-time students the amount you can get is also based on your intensity of study.
Full-time students who take out a maintenance loan could get up to £1,500 taken off their loan balance when they make the first loan repayment under the Welsh Government partial cancellation scheme.
Tuition fees loans
All eligible undergraduate students entering higher education since September 2018 will be able to apply for a loan to cover tuition fees. Most students won’t have to pay anything upfront for their course.
When to apply
Applying for student finance is done directly through the Student Finance Wales website. You can apply in Welsh or English language.
The online full-time application system for 2024 to 2025 will open in March.
The part-time and postgraduate application services for 2024 to 2025 will open in the Summer.
It's best to apply early to ensure your funding is in place for the start of term and you don’t need a confirmed place to apply for student finance. You can update your application once you know where you’ll be studying or withdraw it, if needed.
For up-to-date information about when you can apply, follow Student Finance Wales on Twitter and Facebook or bookmark the website. Deadlines will be announced during the application period to let you know when to apply to secure your funding for the start of term. If you miss the deadline you can still apply, please visit Student Finance Wales for information about submitting an application after the deadline or after the first day of the academic year.
All figures are subject to regulations being made.