In order to be eligible to apply, you must have Home fee status, be fully enrolled on any course, studying a minimum of 30 credits for the 2025-26 academic year, or enrolled on a research programme. You must also have a household income of £25,000 or less as defined in the criteria below. You must also meet one of the categories defined below:
- Category A: In receipt of government funded means-tested benefits or living with parents in receipt of these benefits.
- Category B: A student with a mental health condition, disability or other long-term health condition who is not eligible for DSA support from the Student Loans Company.
- Category C: Enrolled on an undergraduate course and hold non-traditional entry route qualifications such as a BTEC or Access qualification.
- Category D: Hold refugee or humanitarian protection status.
- Category E: A single parent in receipt of child benefit.
- Category F: A care leaver.
- Category G: In receipt of carer's allowance.
- Category H: An approved Compass Project student.
- Category I: Assessed as an EU student by Student Finance England (SFE) and not eligible for a maintenance loan (your SFE Student Support Number must start with EURS and you must have received an email from Birkbeck advising you that you can apply under this category).
- Category J: Any student from Ukraine or Afghanistan who has travelled to the UK on one of the following schemes: The Ukraine Family Scheme, Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme, the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), the Afghanistan Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Redundancy and Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
