These FAQs are here to help you find the information you need, when you need it, but you can always contact AskBU if you’d like to talk to someone in person, by phone or email, or if you have feedback about the FAQs.
What can I claim from the NHS Learning Support Fund?
Eligibility is based on attendance on the relevant course, and being actively in study whether on placement or in academic learning with the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences.
Qualifying courses delivered at BU are:
- Midwifery
- Nursing (all branches)
- Occupational Therapy
- Operating Department Practice
- Physiotherapy
- Paramedic Science
In addition, you should be eligible for tuition fees and maintenance support from the Student Loans Company.
However, if you have not applied for a student loan, you may still be eligible for NHS LSF. You’ll need to show the NHS that you still meet the relevant eligibility criteria for SFE, SFW, SFNI or SAAS. The NHS will assess the student’s eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
The fund includes 4 elements:
- A Training Grant of at least £5,000 per academic year. You will need to create an account to apply. Students on certain courses can get a Special Subject Payment, which is an extra £1,000.
- Parental Support Allowance – Eligible students can claim a set amount of £2,000 per academic year. You are eligible for Parental Support if you have parental responsibility for a child who is either; under the age of 15 years or; under 17 years if the child is registered with special educational needs. You will need to create an account to apply then submit it directly to the NHS.
- Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses – reimbursement for expenses incurred whilst on clinical placements. You need to be in receipt of the Training Grant before you can claim TDAE. You can download a TDAE claim form from your NHS Learning Support Fund account at any time. The claim must then be submitted to the FHSS Student Support Team: fhss-studentsupport@bournemouth.ac.uk.
- The Exceptional Support Fund (ESF) is funding available to eligible healthcare students who experience unforeseen financial hardship during their studies. Please note if you wish to apply for the Exceptional Support Fund, you must have applied and received a decision from theBU Financial Support Fund first. You can then submit your Exceptional Support Fund application to AskBU who will complete the Institution section of the form and submit it to the NHS on your behalf: askbu@bournemouth.ac.uk.