Action for M.E.

Financial support

In order to survive higher education you will need money for your tuition fees, your living costs and any extra costs you have because of your M.E. You will need to think about these costs and how you are going to fund them long before you start your course. To ensure you get the best up to date information we advise that you contact:

Your local education authority (LEA) to discuss tuition fees. LEAs may be able to provide funding e.g. Disabled students allowance or equipment e.g. computers.
Your jobcentre plus or benefits office to find out about current allowances or benefits you may be entitled to.
Your local Student Advice Centre, based within your Students Union.
Voluntary Sectors organisations such as Skill, to get an overall picture of the support, grants and bursaries available. Information pages can be read on the Skill website and include such topics as:

- Funding for Disabled Students in HE

- Applying for Disabled Students' Allowances

- Personal Assistance for Disabled Students

Skill can also be contacted by phone or email for advice and further information.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau if you have any queries or information you do not understand

Make sure you make a note of the person and the date at each organisation you speak to, as it will be easier to follow up any information. If you do not understand the advice you have been given, make sure you ask the person to go over it again until it makes sense.

If you are a member of Action for M.E. you can contact our welfare rights helpline for further information.

Information produced March 2004