Start with the provider's rules
Record whether support is competitive, means-tested, automatically assessed or repayable. Those are separate properties: a scholarship may also have financial conditions, and an automatic assessment still needs correct information. Use the provider's current rules rather than transferring assumptions from a similarly named award.
Distinguish cash from a tuition reduction
Bath's Global Excellence award is a £10,000 tuition waiver. It cannot be treated as living-cost cash. Bristol's bursary is assessed using household-income information and pays in instalments to eligible students. These examples show why amount, coverage and timing need separate columns.
Keep loans separate from non-repayable support
The GOV.UK Master's Loan overview describes support for course and living costs, with interest and income-related repayment. Funding arrangements differ by where applicants normally live. A loan can improve available resources while creating a future repayment obligation; do not label it a scholarship or count it as earned income.
Do not turn possible awards into secured money
Maintain confirmed and competitive columns. Record the written amount and restrictions of any award you receive. Keep pending applications outside the confirmed shortfall calculation. Ask the provider whether awards can be combined, whether accepting another award changes support, and what happens if study mode or attendance changes.
Your Next-Step Checklist
- Record funding type and selection process.
- Separate tuition, living and other coverage.
- Check payment timing and funded period.
- Keep competitive applications outside confirmed resources.
- Confirm stacking and repayment conditions.
Official Reading
Read the official school, university, funder or government sources below.
Bath: fee-only Global Excellence awardBristol: bursary termsGOV.UK: Master's Loan