Student Participation Grant- currently closed for applications

We are currently receiving high volumes of applications - we are working as quickly as possible, however we would advise that there may be some delays in applications being processed.

About this fund

Each applicant will receive up to £300, this will ensure that you have funding to assist with travel, equipment, and any costs of participation in your chosen EUSA society or sports club, including university gym membership. Only one application and one payment are allowed per student during each semester, even if the applications are for less than £300 combined.  The fund opens on a first come first serve basis until all funds are exhausted for the semester. The fund is available at the start of semester 1 and reopens at the start of semester 2. 

Funds are available for costs you will occur during the current semester and cannot be backdated. 

Eligibility

We welcome applications from students who meet one or more of the below criteria:

• an undergraduate student who:
  • is in receipt of a University widening participation scholarship, including Access Edinburgh
  • has a registered disability
  • is a student carer
  • is a student parent
  • is a care leaver or estranged student
  • is an Asylum Seeker or a student with Refugee status
• a postgraduate student who was in receipt of The University of Edinburgh Scholarship, University of Edinburgh Scotland Scholarship, the Access Edinburgh, or Participation Grant as an undergraduate at Edinburgh University

Payments

All payments will be made in pounds sterling to your nominated UK bank account. Payment cannot be made to third parties.

Please ensure you update or add your bank details. (Updating your bank details does not mean you will succeed in your application.)

Student bank details (requires University login)

New students who meet the eligibility criteria and do not have a bank account are still encouraged to apply. However, please provide your bank details once you have set up your account. 

Further information about when you will receive your payment will be available in due course.  

We are pleased to confirm from October 2025, we are partnering with Aspire Cash (link) to provide financial support and digital vouchers for our students. We will transition our payments over semester one so some students may still be asked to provide their bank details and receive payments by bank transfer.

For students who are receiving financial support, having funds paid into their bank account couldn’t be easier. Students will receive an email from Scholarships and Student Funding with an award letter and an email from Aspire advising them of the funding allocated to them, with full instructions on how to access these funds. The student can then pay their funds into their bank account of choice and the funds are usually transferred within 2 hours 

Overseas bank accounts

We are unable to make payments to overseas bank accounts. You must set up a UK bank account before applying to the fund.

Learn about your options for opening your first student bank account in the UK and banking safety:

Opening a UK bank account

Application

The Participation Grant is currently closed while funds are being reviewed - if you have already submitted an application, but have not had a response yet, your application will be processed as normal.

 Apply here

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