Can I get any help with my travel expenses?
We can help with the cost of travel for your course.
Travel expenses are income-assessed. This means the amount we will pay you will depend on how much income you, your parents or your husband, wife, civil partner or partner have. If you do not give us the income details we need to work out the income-assessed support, we cannot pay your travel expenses.
If you applied for the non-income assessed support only (minimum loan and fees), we will not be able to process your claim for travel expenses until we have details of your parents' or your husband's, wife's, civil partner's or partner's income.
How and when can I apply for my travel expenses?
You can apply for your expenses on-line at the end of December or you can download a claim form from our website at that time. We also supply claim forms to institutions in December each year.
What travel expenses will you pay?
We will pay for you to travel from your term-time address to your institution each day. If you live away from home while you study, you can also claim for one return journey at the start and end of each term or semester. We will only pay for the cheapest fares available. You should take advantage of season tickets, zone cards and student railcards wherever possible and ask for and keep receipts as we may ask to see these. We expect you to pay the first £155 of any claim (£80 if you are studying one of the Allied Health Professions) from your loan, bursary or other money you may have. If you are studying abroad as part of your course please contact us for advice.
What is the most you will pay?
The most we can pay you is as follows:
- A dependent student living in their parents' home - £790 (945-£155)
- A dependent student living in term-time accommodation - £450 plus three return journeys between their parents' home and their term-time address, less £155
- An independent student living in their parents' home - £930 (£1,085 - £155)
- A married or independent student living in their own home £930 (£1,085-£155)
- A married or independent student living in term-time accommodation - £450 plus three return journeys between their home and their term-time address, less £155
If you are doing clinical training or electives (an optional course or hospital placement) within the UK , you may claim the full cost of any reasonable travelling expands. This means that we may pay you more than the highest amounts we would normally pay as shown above. If you choose to do your clinical training or electives abroad, we will pay travel expenses from your home to the point of UK departure.
I travel by car every day will you pay for the cost of my petrol?
If you can get public transport from your home to your institution each day, we will restrict your claim to the relevant public transport rates. If public transport is not available we may pay for you to use your car. If this is the case you must send us a letter with your claim to explain your circumstances.
My travel costs will be high, what can I do?
If you are suffering financial hardship, you may apply during the first term or semester for an early payment of up to 50% of your expenses. If you want an advance payment, you must write to us with details of your circumstances and how much you spend on travel every week or month. We will pay your advance straight into your bank account.
When do I get my expenses?
We pay any expenses we approve straight into your bank account within 21 days of receiving your claim. You will be able to check the progress of your travel claim on the services section of this site, or you can phone 0845 111 1711.
If I disagree with the amount you have given me for my travel expenses what should I do?
You can phone the team dealing with you claim and they will explain how they assessed your claim. You can find the relevant team's phone number on the top of your award notice. Please remember that we will restrict your claim if you did not use the most economical fare available and instead used single tickets. Also we can take £155 from your claim. This is the amount that you must pay yourself from your own resources.