DISCRETIONARY & CHILDCARE FUNDS
Looking for Childcare and/or Discretionary Funds for 25-26?
We are now starting to accept applications for the Discretionary and/or Childcare Funds for the 2025-26 academic year. While we aim to open applications as early as possible, final decisions and release of certain funds is dependent on the Scottish Government, who provide our funding.
You should read the information below carefully. This will help you identify which, if any, of the funds are relevant for you, as well as how to make an application. A broad range of guidance has been created in order to help you complete your application and submit this to us so please do take your time to read this, and contact us should you have any questions about the funds or the application process.
You can contact us at fundingadvice@uws.ac.uk.
Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate
The following funding may be available to you if you are an Undergraduate or Taught Postgraduate student from Scotland or the Rest of the UK.
Full-time Students
The Discretionary Fund
The purpose of the Discretionary Fund is to provide additional financial support to eligible students who would otherwise struggle to meet their basic living costs. Funding is intended to better enable students to attend, engage and succeed in their studies by topping up the student support received through government. Support is in the form of a non-repayable bursary.
The Childcare Element
The purpose of the Childcare Element of the Fund is to provide eligible students with a contribution towards childcare costs, where students are unable to meet these costs independently. Support is in the form of a non-repayable bursary. The Childcare Element is an add-on to the Discretionary Fund and cannot be applied for separately.
Eligibility
Students must be Scottish or from the rest of the UK, eligible for student funding from SAAS, SFE, SFNI or SFW, and in receipt of the maximum student support available to them. They should demonstrate a need for financial support that is reasonable and within the scope of the funds.
How to apply
Applications, guidance notes and procedures are available below. The application process is electronic, and the guidance notes will help you complete the application, and identify the supporting evidence required.
Applying for the Childcare Element?
If you also wish to apply for help meeting the costs of study related childcare, we simply include that in your application to the Discretionary Fund. This means you only need to complete one application, and we will assess you for both elements. Your childcare provider(s) will need to complete the Childcare Provider Form, and you should read our Childcare Fund Factsheet for Students for details of the childcare costs we can consider.
Application Forms
- Full-time Discretionary Fund Application 2025-26 (MS Word)
- Childcare Provider Form 2025-26 (MS Word)
Important guidance and procedures to help you understand how the funds work:
- Guide on How to Complete the Full-time Discretionary Fund Application 2025-26 (pdf)
- Full-time Discretionary and Childcare Fund Procedures 2025-26 (pdf)
Childcare Fund Factsheets to help you understand what you can apply for:
Guidance documents to help you complete your application submission:
- How to download your online bank statement (pdf)
- Sample letter about dig money (pdf)
- Sample Universal Credit Award Notice (pdf)
- Identifying Key Transactions on Supporting Evidence (pdf)
- Converting and Merging Supporting Evidence (pdf)
Important info about the funds
You are applying for funds for the 25-26 academic year. Should an award be made, this will not be released until after the academic year begins and enrolment, attendance and engagement can be confirmed. Additionally, we will be unable to release any funds until the Scottish Government provide the budget.
These funds are limited, and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis. While we do our best to avoid it, the fund can often close with little or no notice, when the budget has been exhausted, so it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Assuming you continue to meet all eligibility criteria, you should reapply each academic year, as funding will not continue automatically.
It is unlikely that any award will cover your shortfall in full so we would encourage you to use money advice resources to help you budget effectively.
Part-time Students
The purpose of the Part-Time Discretionary Fund is to provide additional financial support to eligible students to ensure that those students on low incomes are not significantly out of pocket because of their studies. Funding is limited to help to meet the costs of books/course materials, travel and childcare.
Eligibility
Students must be Scottish or from the rest of the UK, funding their studies through the SAAS Part-time Fee Grant, or have an annual income under £25k. We will contribute towards the cost of study related childcare if your household is in receipt of Universal Credits.
Awards will reflect a flat rate of £250 per 20 credit module as a contribution towards books/course materials and travel. We would encourage students to interpret books/course materials broadly, and this may include anything from stationary to IT equipment. While you will need to provide evidence to support your eligibility, you do not need to provide receipts etc. for books/course materials or travel costs to apply. You can use the award at your discretion, to best suit your individual needs.
How to apply
Applications, guidance notes and procedures will be available below when the funds open for 25-26. The application process is electronic, and the guidance notes will help you complete the application, and identify the supporting evidence required.
Applying for the Childcare Element?
If you also wish to apply for help meeting the costs of study related childcare, we simply include that in your application to the Discretionary Fund. This means you only need to complete one application, and we will assess you for both elements. Your childcare provider(s) will need to complete the Childcare Provider Form, and you should read our Childcare Fund Factsheet for Students for details of the childcare costs we can consider.
Application Forms
*Coming Soon*
Childcare Fund Factsheets to help you understand what you can apply for:
Important info about the funds
We cannot award retrospectively, for modules that have finished, or for modules that you are resitting.
These funds are limited, and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis. While we do our best to avoid it, the fund can often close with little or no notice, when the budget has been exhausted, so it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Assuming you continue to meet all eligibility criteria, you should reapply each academic year, as funding will not continue automatically.
Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery
The following funding may be available to you if you are a Paramedic or pre-registration Nursing/Midwifery student from Scotland or the Rest of the UK. This includes courses leading to registration with the NMC at both BSc and MSc levels.
Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Student Discretionary Fund
The purpose of the Discretionary Fund is to provide additional financial support to eligible students who would otherwise struggle to meet their basic living costs. Funding is intended to better enable students to attend, engage and succeed in their studies by topping up the student support received through government. Support is in the form of a non-repayable bursary.
Eligibility
Students must be Scottish or from the rest of the UK, undertaking a full-time Paramedic Sciences course, or Nursing or Midwifery course that leads to registration with the NMC. This includes Nursing and Midwifery students studying at both BSc and MSc levels. They must be eligible for student funding from SAAS, SFE, SFNI or SFW, and in receipt of the maximum student support available to them. They should demonstrate a need for financial support that is reasonable and within the scope of the funds.
How to apply
Applications, guidance notes and procedures are available below. The application process is electronic, and the guidance notes will help you complete the application, and identify the supporting evidence required.
Application Forms
Important guidance and procedures to help you understand how the funds work:
- Guide on How to Complete the Paramedic, Nursing, Midwifery Discretionary Fund Application (pdf)
- Paramedic, Nursing, Midwifery Discretionary Fund Procedures 2025-26 (pdf)
Guidance documents to help you complete your application submission:
- How to download your online bank statement (pdf)
- Sample letter about dig money (pdf)
- Sample Universal Credit Award Notice (pdf)
- Identifying Key Transactions on Supporting Evidence (pdf)
- Converting and Merging Supporting Evidence (pdf)
Important info about the funds
These funds are limited, and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis. While we do our best to avoid it, the fund can often close with little or no notice, when the budget has been exhausted, so it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Assuming you continue to meet all eligibility criteria, you should reapply each academic year, as funding will not continue automatically.
It is unlikely that any award will cover your shortfall in full so we would encourage you to use our money advice resources to help you budget effectively.
UWS Childcare Fund
Paramedics and pre-registration Nursing and Midwifery Students may be able to apply for help meeting the cost of study related childcare through the UWS Childcare Fund. This fund is unique to UWS, allowing us to offer additional financial support to help meet the costs of childcare that may not be available in all universities.
Students are applying for a contribution towards study related childcare costs for an academic year, which will be determined based on costs for the full academic year, and any other financial support for childcare costs that the student should be entitled to, such as the SAAS Childcare Allowance of £2,466.
How to apply
Applications, guidance notes and procedures will be available below when the funds open for 25-26. The application process is electronic, and the guidance notes will help you complete the application, and identify the supporting evidence required. Your childcare provider(s) will need to complete the Childcare Provider Form, and you should read our Childcare Fund Factsheet for Students for details of the childcare costs we can consider.
Application Forms
*Coming Soon*
Childcare Fund Factsheets to help you understand what you can apply for:
Guidance documents to help you complete your application submission:
- How to download your online bank statement (pdf)
- Sample Universal Credit Award Notice (pdf)
- Identifying Key Transactions on Supporting Evidence (pdf)
- Converting and Merging Supporting Evidence (pdf)
Important info about the funds
These funds are limited, and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis. While we do our best to avoid it, the fund can often close with little or no notice, when the budget has been exhausted, so it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Assuming you continue to meet all eligibility criteria, you should reapply each academic year, as funding will not continue automatically.
It’s important that you carefully consider the costs associated with using childcare, and do not rely on this fund as it is likely only to contribute a small amount towards your total childcare costs, as detailed in the documents above.
International
The following funding may be available to you if you are an international student, including EU students.
UWS Childcare Fund
International Students may be able to apply for help meeting the cost of study related childcare through the UWS Childcare Fund. This fund is unique to UWS, allowing us to offer additional financial support to help you meet the costs of childcare that may not be available in all universities.
Students are applying for a contribution towards study related childcare costs for an academic year, which will be determined based on costs for the full academic year.
How to apply
Applications, guidance notes and procedures will be available below when the funds open for 25-26. The application process is electronic, and the guidance notes will help you complete the application, and identify the supporting evidence required. Your childcare provider(s) will need to complete the Childcare Provider Form, and you should read our Childcare Fund Factsheet for Students for details of the childcare costs we can consider.
Application Forms
*Coming Soon*
Childcare Fund Factsheets to help you understand what you can apply for:
Guidance documents to help you complete your application submission:
- How to download your online bank statement (pdf)
- Sample Universal Credit Award Notice (pdf)
- Identifying Key Transactions on Supporting Evidence (pdf)
Important info about the funds
These funds are limited, and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis. While we do our best to avoid it, the fund can often close with little or no notice, when the budget has been exhausted, so it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Assuming you continue to meet all eligibility criteria, you should reapply each academic year, as funding will not continue automatically.
It’s important that you carefully consider the costs associated with using childcare, and do not rely on this fund as it is likely only to contribute a small amount towards your total childcare costs, as detailed in the documents above.
Doctoral level study
The following funding may be available to you if you are undertaking a research degree, such as PhD, DBA, etc.
UWS Childcare Fund
Doctoral Students may be able to apply for help meeting the cost of study related childcare through the UWS Childcare Fund. This fund is unique to UWS, allowing us to offer additional financial support to help you meet the costs of childcare that may not be available in all universities.
Students are applying for a contribution towards study related childcare costs for an academic year, which will be determined based on costs for the full academic year.
How to apply
Applications, guidance notes and procedures will be available below when the funds open for 25-26. The application process is electronic, and the guidance notes will help you complete the application, and identify the supporting evidence required. Your childcare provider(s) will need to complete the Childcare Provider Form, and you should read our Childcare Fund Factsheet for Students for details of the childcare costs we can consider.
Application Forms
*Coming Soon*
Childcare Fund Factsheets to help you understand what you can apply for:
Guidance documents to help you complete your application submission:
- How to download your online bank statement (pdf)
- Sample Universal Credit Award Notice (pdf)
- Identifying Key Transactions on Supporting Evidence (pdf)
Important info about the funds
These funds are limited, and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis. While we do our best to avoid it, the fund can often close with little or no notice, when the budget has been exhausted, so it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Assuming you continue to meet all eligibility criteria, you should reapply each academic year, as funding will not continue automatically.
It’s important that you carefully consider the costs associated with using childcare, and do not rely on this fund as it is likely only to contribute a small amount towards your total childcare costs, as detailed in the documents above.
Last updated: 21/07/2025