Step-by-step guide to financial support

The first thing you need to do is to see if you are eligible for a Government grant and, if so, how much you might be able to apply for.

Your next step(s) depend on whether you are eligible for a Government fee grant (Route A) or not (Route B) - see below:

Route A. If you are eligible for a Government fee grant

Step 1

  • For programmes marked PA in the prospectus (Programme Application) you must first apply for the course. If you are accepted on the programme you will be invited to enrol. When you enrol you will be asked how you wish to pay for your fees.
    At this point you should indicate that you intend to apply for a Government Fee Grant and you will then be allowed to enrol without paying fees in advance (if the information you have given us about yourself indicates that you would not be eligible for a Government Fee Grant then this option will not be available to you).
  • For all module enrolments (marked ME or ME(A) in the prospectus) you must complete a Modular Enrolment Form (contact the My Birkbeck Helpdesk to obtain a form) listing all the modules you intend to study for the whole of the academic year.
    You must indicate on section 7 of the form that you intend to apply for a Government Fee Grant and you must also complete all of section 11 of the form and sign and date it. You must then submit the form to the My Birkbeck Helpdesk by post or in person, and we can then enrol you without taking fees up front.

Step 2

  • Once you have enrolled you must complete a Government Fee Grant Application (PTG1) form and return it to us before 1st October 2011 or 28 days after you enrol, whichever is the latest.

Step 3

  • After the start of term, we will stamp your PTG1 form and return it to you. You must then send the stamped PTG1 with your supporting documentation to Student Finance England for processing. It will then become your responsibility to ensure that your your fees are paid either by Student Finance England or by yourself.
  • Please note - Student Finance England will write to you to let you know the outcome of your application. If your application is refused, or your Fee Grant does not cover all of your fees, it is your responsibility to then ensure that your fees are paid.
  • The deadline for receipt of authorised PTG1 Grant applications by Student Finance England is 29 February 2012.

Step 4

  • Additional money for fees: If you are awarded a Government fee grant that does not cover the full cost of your tuition fees, you are eligible to apply for the Government Additional Fee Support Scheme. This is not automatic, you must request and complete an application form.
  • Additional money for course costs: If you are awarded a Government course grant that does not cover your course costs, you can also apply for some additional support from the Access to Learning Fund.

Route B. If you are not eligible for a Government fee grant

Birkbeck has some alternative sources of funding in place for students who are unable to access Government support. Please see our website or contact our office for further advice on eligibility.