Are you a healthcare student struggling to manage the cost of your education in 2025? If so, you may be eligible for vital financial support that could ease the burden.
The NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) exists to help students pursuing careers in health professions by offering non-repayable grants for training, specialist subjects, childcare, travel, and even hardship.
It is separate from traditional student loans and designed to complement existing funding. This article outlines what’s available through the LSF, who can apply, and how to ensure you don’t miss out on funding you’re entitled to.
What Is the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF)?
The NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) is a government-backed initiative offering additional financial support to eligible students in health-related degrees across England.
Administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), this fund is not a loan, it does not need to be paid back. Instead, it is designed to reduce financial stress for those working toward registration in professions like nursing, midwifery, and allied health roles.
The fund supplements existing support from the Student Loans Company and focuses on promoting diversity in the NHS workforce while ensuring a steady supply of qualified professionals for the future.
Who Does It Support?
Students studying approved pre-registration undergraduate or postgraduate courses in England can apply. These include:
- Nursing (adult, child, mental health, learning disability)
- Midwifery
- Paramedicine (excluding DipHE or FD)
- Radiography (diagnostic and therapeutic)
- Dental hygiene or therapy (Level 5 and 6)
- Occupational therapy
- Dietetics
- Speech and language therapy
- Orthoptics, prosthetics, orthotics, physiotherapy, and more
The NHS Learning Support Fund is a vital resource designed to ease the financial burden for students pursuing essential healthcare roles. If you’re enrolled in an eligible course, don’t miss the chance to get the support you deserve.
What Are the Key NHS Learning Support Fund Allowances for 2025?
The NHS Learning Support Fund is structured around five primary types of support tailored to meet various student needs:
- Training Grant: This is the core allowance and provides £5,000 per year to all eligible full-time students. It’s paid in three termly instalments and does not depend on household income.
- Specialist Subject Payment: Students enrolled in high-demand fields such as mental health nursing or radiography may qualify for an additional £1,000 annually.
- Parental Support: If a student has one or more dependent children under 15 (or under 17 with special needs), they may receive £2,000 annually to help cover childcare costs.
- Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE): This reimburses costs incurred from attending placements away from home, including excess travel and temporary housing.
- Exceptional Support Fund (ESF): For students facing unexpected financial hardship, up to £3,000 is available. This support is means-tested and must meet specific eligibility criteria.
Each element of the fund is applied for through the NHS LSF portal, and some components are calculated based on individual circumstances such as course type and study mode (full-time or part-time).
Who Can Apply for the NHS LSF and What Are the Eligibility Rules?
To access the NHS Learning Support Fund, applicants must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements. This includes academic and residency conditions.
General Eligibility Includes
- Being enrolled in an eligible course at a university in England
- Being in active study, including both academic sessions and placements
- Being ordinarily resident in the UK
- Being eligible for student finance (tuition and maintenance loans) through:
- Student Finance England (SFE)
- Student Finance Wales (SFW)
- Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI)
- Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Exceptions to Eligibility
- Students receiving NHS Bursaries for 2024–25
- Those paid by an employer to study while maintaining a wage
- Students receiving financial support from NHS Trusts or Health Education England (e.g., sandwich years)
Applicants who choose not to apply for a student loan may still qualify, but they must provide documentation showing they meet SLC eligibility.
Additionally, students with equivalent or lower qualifications (ELQ) may apply for LSF on a case-by-case basis, especially for courses like paramedicine. Part-time students and those returning mid-year will receive adjusted payments.
How Much Can You Receive from the NHS Training Grant in 2025?
The NHS Training Grant offers a substantial annual boost of £5,000 to eligible healthcare students, regardless of household income. This grant is non-repayable and intended to ease the burden of education-related expenses.
Payments are issued in three instalments each academic year and align with your attendance confirmation at key dates: typically November, March, and July.
Part-time students will receive a pro-rata amount based on the length and intensity of their course. For example, a four-year course that typically takes three years full-time will receive 75% of the full amount annually.
If you begin your course part-way through an academic year, your entitlement is calculated monthly from your start date.
This grant is designed to be simple to access once you’re enrolled, and is automatically awarded as long as you meet eligibility and attendance requirements verified by your university and NHSBSA.
What Is the Specialist Subject Payment and Who Is Eligible?
The Specialist Subject Payment (SSP) is a targeted financial boost introduced to attract more students into specific healthcare fields where demand for qualified professionals is especially high.
It provides an additional £1,000 per academic year, on top of the standard £5,000 Training Grant, for students enrolled in select specialist courses.
This payment is non-means-tested, non-repayable, and paid in three equal termly instalments, assuming the student meets attendance requirements and remains in active study.
Courses eligible for the Specialist Subject Payment include:
- Mental Health Nursing
- Learning Disability Nursing
- Radiography (Diagnostic or Therapeutic)
- Orthoptics
- Podiatry
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
To qualify, students must meet the same general eligibility rules applied to the NHS Learning Support Fund overall, including being actively enrolled in an eligible course in England and being eligible for support from the Student Loans Company.
If a student transfers from a specialist subject to a non-specialist course, the SSP will no longer be available from that point. Additionally, if a student withdraws from the course before the end of the academic year, their SSP may be recalculated or withdrawn based on their actual attendance and status.
What Does the NHS Parental Support Grant Cover?
The NHS Parental Support Grant offers financial assistance to student parents who face the dual pressures of study and childcare.
This £2,000 annual grant is non-repayable and is designed to ease the costs of raising a child while pursuing a healthcare qualification.
Eligibility Requirements
To receive this support, the student must:
- Be enrolled in an eligible healthcare course
- Meet all NHS LSF general eligibility criteria
- Have parental responsibility for at least one child under 15 years old
- Alternatively, the child may be under 17 if they have special educational needs formally registered
How the Grant Is Paid?
The £2,000 is distributed in three termly payments during the academic year. Payment is based on confirmation of attendance at the university and requires the student to remain in active study.
Part-Year Eligibility and Pro-Rata Awards
If a child is born or adopted during the academic year, students can still apply for a pro-rata portion of the grant, calculated from the month the change occurred.
This flexibility ensures that financial assistance can begin promptly after the new responsibility arises, even if it’s mid-year.
Can You Claim for Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE)?
Yes, students undertaking placements away from their usual place of residence may claim reimbursement for excess travel and temporary accommodation costs under the Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) provision.
This support ensures that no student is left out-of-pocket when attending mandatory placements that are not commutable on a daily basis. Eligible costs include additional daily travel, accommodation near placement sites, and travel to other required clinical locations.
These must be reasonable and supported by itemised receipts. Only expenses exceeding the student’s usual commute to their university are reimbursable, and all claims must be submitted within six months of the cost being incurred.
Reimbursements cover public transport, mileage for private vehicles, parking, and capped nightly accommodation costs. Claims are submitted to the academic authority and then verified by NHSBSA.
This support ensures equitable access to clinical placements regardless of a student’s location or financial situation.
What Is the Exceptional Support Fund and When Can It Be Used?
The Exceptional Support Fund (ESF) exists to help students who encounter serious and unforeseen financial hardship during their studies.
This support offers up to £3,000 per academic year and is means-tested, requiring applicants to demonstrate their financial situation through detailed documentation.
To qualify, students must already be eligible for NHS LSF and have exhausted all other potential funding sources, including student loans and institutional hardship funds. NHSBSA will assess whether there is a genuine shortfall between income and essential living costs such as rent, bills, and food.
Applications are accepted throughout the academic year and must include income and expenditure evidence. The award is non-repayable unless it is later discovered the student was ineligible or misrepresented their circumstances.
ESF provides a critical financial lifeline and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, allowing a human-centred approach to funding allocation.
How and When Should Students Apply for NHS LSF in 2025?
The application process for the NHS Learning Support Fund is designed to be straightforward but must be completed carefully to avoid delays or rejections.
Students must apply online via the NHSBSA Learning Support Fund portal, where they will create and manage their account.
Key Steps to Apply:
- Visit the NHS LSF website and register an account
- Upload proof of enrolment and Student Finance entitlement
- Apply for each fund component (e.g., Training Grant, TDAE) individually
- Submit supporting documents, such as childcare or hardship evidence, where applicable
Important Deadlines:
- Applications must be submitted within 6 months of the academic year start date
- TDAE claims must be made within 6 months of the expense
- Students must be in attendance on set “active study” dates to receive termly payments
For continuing students, NHSBSA sends application invitations starting from March 2025. Returning students after an interruption must reapply if they rejoin in a new academic year.
Payment schedules depend on timely confirmation of attendance by your university and typically follow term dates in November, March, and July.
NHS Learning Support Fund Elements at a Glance (2025)
The table below provides a clear comparison of the key components of the NHS Learning Support Fund in 2025, helping students understand what’s available at a glance:
| Funding Type | Amount | Eligibility | Payment Schedule | Conditions |
| Training Grant | £5,000 per year | All eligible full-time students in approved healthcare courses | 3 instalments (termly) | Must be in active study; pro-rata for part-time students |
| Specialist Subject Payment | £1,000 per year | Courses in mental health nursing, podiatry, orthoptics, radiography, and others | 3 instalments (termly) | Subject-specific eligibility; must remain on course |
| Parental Support | £2,000 per year | Students with at least one dependent child (under 15 or 17 with SEN) | 3 instalments (termly) | Pro-rata if eligibility changes mid-year |
| Travel & Accommodation (TDAE) | Reimbursement-based | Students attending placements away from home | Upon receipt submission | Must submit claims with receipts within 6 months |
| Exceptional Support Fund (ESF) | Up to £3,000 per year | Students in financial hardship | Case-by-case (one-off grant) | Means-tested; must show proof of hardship |
This summary makes it easy to compare the nature of each fund element, how much students can expect, and what requirements apply.
Conclusion
The NHS Learning Support Fund is an essential financial resource for thousands of healthcare students in England, helping them complete their education with less financial pressure.
With a range of support including grants for training, childcare, specialist courses, and hardship, the fund ensures that eligible students can focus on their future careers.
Understanding the fund’s structure, eligibility, and application process is key to receiving all available benefits. Students should apply as early as possible, maintain active study status, and submit accurate documentation.
By making full use of the NHS LSF, aspiring healthcare professionals can build a brighter, more stable path into the NHS workforce.
FAQs About NHS Learning Support Fund
Is the NHS Learning Support Fund different from the NHS Bursary?
Yes, the NHS LSF is a separate scheme and applies to healthcare courses in England not funded through the traditional NHS Bursary system.
Can postgraduate students apply for NHS Learning Support Fund?
Yes, postgraduate students on eligible pre-registration healthcare courses can apply, provided they meet the same criteria as undergraduate applicants.
Are maternity and adoption leave covered under the NHS LSF?
Yes, students on authorised maternity or adoption leave may continue to receive LSF payments, excluding travel expenses.
What happens if my circumstances change mid-course?
You must inform NHSBSA of any changes within one month, including interruptions or withdrawals, which may affect your entitlement.
Are part-time or distance learners eligible for NHS LSF?
Part-time students are eligible on a pro-rata basis, but distance learners must meet specific course attendance and study requirements.
What proof is needed when applying for the NHS Learning Support Fund?
You’ll need your Student Loans Company award notice, course enrolment confirmation, and supporting documents for specific allowances.
Can the NHS LSF application be appealed or reviewed?
Yes, if your application is denied or an error occurs, you can appeal or submit a complaint through the NHSBSA’s formal channels.
