Help with other costs

We have a range of financial support options to meet your individual needs and to help you meet your study goals, whether you’re studying a single module or working towards a qualification.

Additional financial support

If you are on a low income or in receipt of benefits you may be eligible for:

  • A free introductory Access module to build your confidence and skills before moving on to a full OU course. 
  • Help for current students towards study-related costs, such as for travel, childcare and internet access, through Study Related Costs (previously referred to as the Discretionary Fund; please note, sign in required). 

There are resources available to help with the cost of living crisis: 

  • A Scottish Government Cost of Living website has been launched to signpost to advice and financial support available to people in Scotland. In includes information about support with increasing energy bills, Scottish and UK social security payment and benefits, support with housing costs, payments for families, benefit calculators and wider health and wellbeing information.

Athletes may be eligible for funding from Winning Students 100, Scotland’s national sports scholarship programme, which can be used for a number of support services.

Credit transfer

If you have already studied at higher education level - such as at another university or a Higher National Certificate or Diploma (HNC/D) studied at a college - you may be able to count it towards your OU qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. For more details of when you will need to apply by and to download an application form, visit our credit transfer website. 

Disabled Students

OU graduate Karis, photographed by Chris FloydThe Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is a government grant to cover study support costs if you have a disability. It’s not means tested, and there’s no age limit, but you must be studying at least 60 credits in an academic year, and studying towards a qualification of two years or more.   

A step-by-step guide and a video on how to apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is available on the Disabled Students' Allowance help page. 

Should you have a DSA enquiry you would like to discuss with us, please call 0131 226 3851 or email Scotland@open.ac.uk

For further information about how the OU supports disabled students, visit our Supporting students with disabilities page.

The Disabled Students' Allowance has been invaluable for my studies, providing the equipment and assistive technology I need to access the course materials, such as an eye-gaze computer, special software, a printer and a bookstand.”
Karis Williamson (pictured)

Karis from Inverness (pictured), gained an OU Bachelor of Arts Open (Honours) Degree. A poet and script writer, Karis has congenital muscular dystrophy. Read more about Karis' story. 

Access to period products

Local authorities offer various free products, available for yourself or for someone else. Find out more via this Scottish Government free period products webpage.

You can also use the PickupMyPeriod app to find out where to access the free products: 

Photo credit: Chris Floyd