Funding and Advice

Before you start university, it's important you take a look at all of the funding options available.

Financial Support Package

The University of Chichester offers eligible students a Financial Support Package

This is available to all new, full-time, home undergraduate degree (including Foundation Degree) students starting level 4 (e.g. 'first year'), in September 2025, whose programme is based at either the Bognor Regis Campus or the Bishop Otter Campus.

As part of the University's Access and Participation Plan, students who have been eligible for free school meals will be eligible for a bursary of a total of £1,000 during their studies (Year 1 £400; Year 2 £300; Year 3 £300).

We will use UCAS application data to identify eligible applicants and notify you of your eligibility at the start of your studies with us.

Care Leavers

Care Leavers Bursary

If you are a Care Leaver you may be eligible for our Care Leavers Bursary of £300 per year irrespective of any other funding or grants you may receive. Contact our Care Leavers Coordinator on clc@chi.ac.uk for more information or see our Care Leavers webpage.

Find out more

Funding for full-time students

Tuition Fee Loan

Eligible students are able to get a Tuition Fee Loan from the government which helps to pay the course fee. This is available to students studying an undergraduate degree or Foundation Degree.

You can request a loan which covers the whole of the fee or just part of the fee. You will need to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan each year of your course.

The Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly from the Student Loans Company to the University.

Maintenance Loan

It is also possible to get a maintenance loan which helps with the cost of living (e.g. rent, food, course materials, etc). How much you can get depends on your circumstances (e.g. household income) and whether you choose to live in the parental home.

Students from lower income households receive more financial support. You can get an idea of how much support is available to you using the student finance calculator.

The maintenance loan is paid to the student in three instalments in the academic year:

September: about a week after registering on your course
January: when you return from the Christmas / winter holiday
April: when you return from the Easter / spring holiday

Funding for dependants

Extra funds – which don’t have to be repaid – might be available if you have dependents.

The Adult Dependants’ Grant is for students who have a spouse (or partner if you are over 25) who is financially dependent on them.

The Childcare Grant is funding specifically for childcare expenses incurred whilst studying, and the Parents’ Learning Allowance helps student parents to pay for course expenses such as books, study materials and travel costs.

All the grants are means-tested (based on household income).

How and when to apply

We recommend first checking your eligibility for funding using the ‘Eligibility’ link.

If you have any concerns about your eligibility, contact the Student Finance England helpline on 0300 100 0607. Monday – Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 4pm.

New students are advised to apply by 31 May in the year that they are starting (e.g. 31 May 2020 if you are due to start in September 2020).

However, it is possible to apply after this date but your funding might not be ready for the start of the course.

The quickest and easiest way to apply is online.

Funding for part-time students

Tuition Fee Loan

Eligible students are able to get a Tuition Fee Loan from the government which helps to pay the course fee.

This is available to students studying an Undergraduate or Foundation Degree.

You can request a loan which covers the whole of the fee or just part of the fee.

You will need to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan each year of your course.

The Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly from the Student Loans Company to the University.

In order to qualify you must be studying at a minimum of 25% intensity e.g. a minimum of 30 credits per academic year.

How and when to apply

When you create a new account, make sure you make a note of your Customer Reference Number, password and secret answer and keep this information safe.
You will need your valid UK passport, your national insurance number, your bank details and your course details to complete an application.
Do not wait until you know for certain which university you are going to. Apply as early as possible and provide the details of your first choice university and course. It is simple to change this information later if necessary.
If you do not receive a letter from Student Finance England three months after applying, log-in to your account and/or give them a call on their helpline to get an update.

Subject Specific Funding

Gain additional funding depending on your subject

Some of our programmes offer specific funding options. Each of these subject specific funding opportunities are listed on our Subject Specific Funding page, so it's definitely worth check to see what is available for your chosen course.

View subject specific funding options

Useful to know

How can I make sure I get everything I am entitled to?

Familiarise yourself with the funding which is available to students
Check that you are getting the maximum level of funding available to you (or email studentmoney@chi.ac.uk)
If you need or want to supplement your income with part-time employment, our Careers & Employability Service may be able to help you find work.
If you have children or a disability, claim benefits during your study.
Open student bank accounts with overdrafts if you are starting a full-time undergraduate course. These can be a useful resource but it is important to remember that this is a way of borrowing money from a bank and you will need to pay it back (usually after you finish the course).
For students who are experiencing financial difficulty, the University has a Support Fund and an emergency loan facility. Please see the information on our Money advice: money worries help page for more information on these and how to apply.