Study-Related Costs Funding

If you’re on a low income, you could be eligible for additional support with study-related costs. Learn more about our discretionary funding scheme and how to apply.

How it works

Our Study-Related Costs Funding is there to help students who need extra financial support for their study costs. This could include costs like internet access, a laptop, childcare and stationery. It’s usually a reimbursement of costs, meaning you’ll need to provide receipts as part of your application.

If you need a diagnostic assessment for a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyscalculia, you can apply for support towards the cost of this from the study-related costs fund. The fund can also support the cost of your Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) equipment if you’re in England and need to make a £200 contribution towards your DSA computer.

Study costs supported

You can apply for support from the fund towards the following study costs:

  • general study materials, for items bought to help you study – such as pens and paper, a printer, ink, headphones – up to a maximum of £200 per academic year
  • compulsory module materials, as listed in the module description – such as set books or a scientific calculator – reasonable costs will be supported
  • internet access, up to a maximum of £20 per month
  • a new PC, laptop or tablet, to a maximum contribution of £250 (or up to £200 for a DSA computer, students in England only)
  • travel to tutorials, residential schools and exams
  • childcare
  • residential school meals and accommodation fee
  • medical evidence costs, for example a doctor’s letter to support a DSA application, up to £50.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

  • be studying at least 30 credits in an academic year
  • be actively participating on your module
  • be paying a UK module fee (England, Wales, or Northern Ireland)
  • receive a qualifying benefit, or have a household income of no more than £25,000 a year (or below £50,000 if applying for diagnostic assessment costs).

How to apply

For most costs, we encourage you only to apply once your module has started, as applications are usually assessed two weeks after the module start date.

However, if you're applying for support towards the £200 DSA computer contribution or the cost of a diagnostic assessment for a specific learning difficulty, you can apply up to three months before your module starts.

You can download the application form online through your StudentHome Help Centre, which you can access once you have a student account with us. There are also downloadable terms and conditions that have more information about the eligibility criteria and supporting evidence you can provide.

I could not have asked for more from the OU or for more support throughout my masters. I feel very proud to say that I studied with you all, and I will be forever grateful.

Victoria Milner, MSc Development Management