NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligibility, Amounts, Key Differences
If you’re about to start a nursing, midwifery, or allied health degree in England, the money question usually hits before the first lecture. The NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) is designed to take that weight off — offering up to £8,000 a year in non-repayable, tax-free grants for eligible students, and here is what it covers, who qualifies, and how it compares to other support.
Training grant per year: £5,000 · Parental support per student per year: £2,000 · Repayment required: No · Taxable: No · Available to international students: No · Eligible courses: Nursing, midwifery, allied health pre-registration
Quick snapshot
- Non-repayable, tax-free grant for nursing, midwifery, allied health pre-registration students (NHS Business Services Authority – official LSF guidance)
- Training Grant: £5,000 per academic year; Parental Support: up to £2,000; Specialist Subject Payment: £1,000 (NHSBSA) (NHS Business Services Authority – official LSF guidance)
- No repayment required after graduation or employment (GOV.UK – 9th edition LSF guidance)
- Exact future funding amounts beyond 2025/26 are subject to government review (GOV.UK)
- Impact of moving to part-time study on eligibility may vary by institution (NHSBSA)
- Applications for 2025/26 open in spring (typically April) (NHSBSA)
- Deadline around August for September intake (GOV.UK)
- From 2025/26, pharmacy and pre-registration healthcare science students can also access TDAE provisions (NHSBSA)
- Apply online via the NHSBSA Learning Support Fund portal once you have a confirmed course place (GOV.UK)
Here is a snapshot of the key facts about the NHS Learning Support Fund.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Training grant per year | £5,000 |
| Parental support per year | £2,000 |
| Specialist subject payment | £1,000 |
| Repayment required? | No |
| Taxable? | No |
| Available for international students? | No |
| Application window | April to August (2025/26) |
What is the NHS Learning Support Fund?
What does the NHS LSF include?
- Training Grant: £5,000 per academic year (pro rata for part-time) (NHSBSA)
- Parental Support: £2,000 per year for students with a dependent child under 15 (or 17 if SEN) (NHSBSA)
- Specialist Subject Payment: £1,000 extra for students on certain courses (NHSBSA)
- Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE): Available from 2025/26 for pharmacy and healthcare science pre-registration students (NHSBSA)
A student with one child could receive up to £8,000 per year (£5,000 Training Grant + £2,000 Parental Support + £1,000 Specialist Subject Payment). That additional £3,000 can cover living costs, childcare, or study materials.
Is it a loan or a grant?
It’s a grant — non-repayable and tax-free. Unlike a student loan, you never pay this money back after finishing your course (GOV.UK – 9th edition LSF guidance).
With student loans covering tuition and maintenance, an extra £5,000–£8,000 non-repayable each year means far less reliance on part-time work. That’s time you can spend on placement, study, or rest.
The implication: for eligible students, this non-repayable support significantly reduces financial pressure, allowing focus on studies.
Who is eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF)?
Which courses qualify?
- Pre-registration nursing (adult, child, mental health, learning disability, joint nursing and social work)
- Midwifery
- Dental therapy / dental hygiene (levels 5 and 6)
- Dietetics, occupational therapy, orthoptics, orthotics and prosthetics, paramedics, physiotherapy, podiatry / chiropody, radiography (diagnostic and therapeutic), speech and language therapy, operating department practitioner (NHSBSA – eligible courses list)
- From 2025/26: undergraduate pharmacy and pre-registration healthcare science (NHSBSA)
Are international students eligible?
No. You must be ordinarily resident in the UK and eligible for tuition fee and maintenance support from the Student Loans Company (GOV.UK). Foundation years are not eligible either (NHSBSA).
The implication: If you’re an EU or international student, look at scholarships from your university or professional bodies — the LSF is closed to you.
Even if you’ve never applied for a student loan, you may still qualify for LSF — but only if you meet the underlying eligibility criteria for Student Finance England, Wales, Northern Ireland or SAAS. That’s a paperwork hurdle that catches many.
What this means: eligibility is straightforward for home students, but international and foundation year students need to explore alternative funding.
Do I have to pay back my NHS Learning Support Fund?
What happens if I withdraw from my course?
Under normal circumstances, no repayment is required — even after graduation (NHSBSA). But if you withdraw or fail and leave the course early, you may need to repay depending on the timing (GOV.UK).
Is the funding taxable?
No. The LSF is tax-free, so it won’t affect your personal allowance or push you into a higher tax bracket when you start working (GOV.UK).
The trade-off: The LSF is meant to stay with you. But if you drop out within the first term, you could be asked to repay the full amount — so commit only if you’re sure about the course.
What is the difference between NHS Bursary and Learning Support Fund?
One is means-tested, the other isn’t — and you can’t get both. Here’s how they stack up.
| Feature | NHS Learning Support Fund | NHS Bursary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Grant (non-repayable) | Grant (non-repayable) |
| Means-tested? | No — fixed amounts | Yes — depends on household income |
| Training Grant | £5,000 per year | Varies (typically £1,000–£3,000 based on income) |
| Parental Support | £2,000 per year | Included in means-tested maintenance |
| Specialist Payment | £1,000 extra possible | No equivalent |
| Can you receive both? | No | No |
| Eligible courses | Pre-registration nursing, midwifery, allied health (including pharmacy from 2025/26) | Medical/dental undergraduate (different scheme) |
| Application | Online via NHSBSA | Via NHSBSA (separate application) |
The pattern: LSF gives a predictable, no-hassle baseline. The Bursary can be higher for low-income households but requires more paperwork and may change year to year. For most nursing and allied health students, LSF is the simpler choice.
Can I receive both NHS Bursary and LSF?
No, they are mutually exclusive. If you’re eligible for the NHS Bursary (typically medical/dental students), you cannot also receive LSF. For pre-registration nursing, midwifery, and allied health, LSF is the relevant scheme (NHSBSA).
Which one is better for my situation?
For a single student from a modest-income family, the Bursary might offer a higher maintenance amount. For anyone who wants simple, non-means-tested funding, LSF wins. Check both eligibility criteria before applying.
Upsides
- Fixed, predictable grant regardless of household income
- No repayment required after graduation
- Tax-free — won’t affect student loan repayments
- Added parental support for students with children
- Specialist subject payment for certain courses
Downsides
- Not available to international students
- Only covers pre-registration courses in England
- Cannot be combined with NHS Bursary
- May need to repay if you leave early
- Future funding levels depend on government budgets
When can you apply for NHS funding?
Application window for 2025/26
- Applications open in spring 2025 (typically April) (NHSBSA)
- Deadline around August for September 2025 intake (GOV.UK)
- Late applications may be accepted but could delay payment
How to apply for NHS LSF
- Secure a confirmed place on an eligible pre-registration course at an English university.
- Have your Course Confirmation Number (from the university) ready.
- Go to the NHSBSA Learning Support Fund portal and create an account.
- Complete the online application form — provide personal details, course info, and evidence of eligibility (e.g., student finance approval letter).
- Submit. You’ll receive a decision within 6–8 weeks; payments are made termly (NHSBSA – application process).
Why this matters: The window is tight — apply as soon as you get your course confirmation. Many students miss the deadline and have to wait for the next term’s payment.
You must also apply for standard student finance (tuition fee loan and maintenance loan) from the Student Loans Company. Even if you don’t want the maintenance loan, the LSF requires you to be eligible for it.
The pattern: early application secures timely payments; missing the window risks delays.
What we know — and what’s uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Training Grant is £5,000 per year (2025/26)
- Parental Support up to £2,000 per year
- Specialist Subject Payment £1,000 extra
- Non-repayable and tax-free
- Eligible courses include nursing, midwifery, and 18+ allied health disciplines
What’s uncertain
- Funding levels beyond 2025/26 — subject to government review
- Impact of part-time study on eligibility — varies by university
- Exact treatment of intercalation or deferred entry — case-by-case
The catch: while current amounts are guaranteed, future levels depend on government decisions.
Expert perspectives
The NHS Learning Support Fund provides additional funding for eligible healthcare students on pre-registration undergraduate or postgraduate courses.
The NHS Learning Support Fund is supplementary financial support to the mainstream student support system.
GOV.UK – 9th edition LSF guidance
For a student entering a nursing programme in 2025, the LSF essentially means £5,000 in your pocket each year — no strings, no tax. Combined with a maintenance loan and possibly a part-time job, it reduces financial stress enough to focus on placement and exams. The implication for the NHS workforce is clear: when students are less worried about money, retention improves, and the pipeline of newly qualified professionals strengthens.
upsu.com, nhsbsa.nhs.uk, savethestudent.org, gov.uk, brookes.ac.uk
Frequently asked questions
Can I work part-time while receiving the NHS Learning Support Fund?
Yes, the LSF does not restrict your ability to work. However, your course timetable and placement hours may limit how much you can work. The grant is not means-tested, so your earnings don’t affect eligibility.
Does the NHS LSF affect my universal credit or other benefits?
The LSF may be counted as income for means-tested benefits. Check with the Department for Work and Pensions or a benefits advisor. The training grant itself is tax-free but could reduce entitlement.
What happens to my funding if I take a year out?
If you temporarily withdraw or intercalate, you may not receive LSF payments for that period. Repayment may be required if the break is permanent. Contact NHSBSA for individual circumstances.
How long does it take to receive the payment after applying?
Typically 6–8 weeks after a complete application. Payments are made in three instalments (October, February, May) for the academic year.
Can I use the NHS LSF to cover living costs?
Yes, there are no restrictions on how you spend the grant. It can go toward rent, food, transport, childcare, or study materials.
Is there a minimum study intensity requirement?
Part-time students get the grant pro rata. Typically, you need to be studying at least 50% of the full-time intensity to qualify.
What if I already have a degree; can I still apply?
Yes, as long as your pre-registration course is eligible, previous degree holders can apply. The LSF is not limited to first-degree students.
Do I need to reapply each year?
No, once accepted, funding continues for the duration of your course (subject to annual confirmation of continued eligibility). You do not need to reapply each year.
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