NHS guides explain what you should know before, during and after you apply for your NHS bursary, and the different financial help available to you.

NHS Bursary Students - help and guidance

Information on application deadlines for all NHS Bursary students

Once your application is approved, your bursary entitlement for the forthcoming academic year will be available to view in the Payment Schedule of your BOSS account.

If you meet your application window deadline and you are eligible for a bursary, your  first payment will be made to your bank account on the third Friday of the month in which your academic year begins.

If you miss your application window deadline, we will assess your application within 35 working days from the date of receipt, but there may be a short delay to your payments.

In all cases, we must receive your BOSS application and supporting evidence within nine months of the start of the academic year for which you are applying.

Further information  NHS Bursary Students - application deadlines

To apply or reapply for a bursary you need to complete an application form on the Bursary Online Support System (BOSS):

The application form:

• will take about 30-45 minutes to complete
• doesn’t need to be completed in one session

We’ll let you know by email what supporting evidence you will need to send once you’ve submitted your application.

New NHS Bursary applicants

You'll need to register for an account on the BOSS system before you make an application. To do this, click on the 'Start your application' link and select 'Register' on the application log-in screen.

Continuing NHS Bursary applicants

You don't need to create a new BOSS account when you reapply for your bursary. Log in to your existing account and follow the steps.

Further information on logging into BOSS and providing supporting evidence NHS Bursary Students - how to apply

New NHS Bursary applicants (Medical and dental students only)

If you are eligible, your first bursary payment will be credited to your bank account within 10 working days, providing your application was submitted within the published deadlines

Continuing NHS Bursary applicants

Payments will continue to be made into your bank account on the third Friday of each month provided you remain eligible and you have met the application deadlines

Applications submitted after the deadline

If you miss your application window deadline, we'll assess your application as quickly as possible (within 35 working days) but there may be a delay to your payments.

Any back payments that you’re owed will be made on the next available payment run.  These take place on a weekly basis to ensure students receive their bursary payments as soon as possible.

In all cases, NHS Bursary applications, including any requested supporting documentation, must be submitted within nine months of the first date of your academic year at the latest.

View your payments

You can view your bursary entitlement and payment dates for the academic year in the 'Payment' section of your BOSS account.

Bursary and Childcare Allowance applications

NHSBSA aim to assess your application(s) within:

• 25 working days of receiving all your supporting evidence if you met the application deadline
• 35 working days if you did not meet your application window deadline.

Change in circumstances

If you have a change in your circumstances that may affect the amount of bursary you receive you should complete a Change of Circumstances application within one month of the change occurring. You can find this form in your BOSS account.

NHSBSA aim to process these and update your account within 25 working days.

Practice Placement Expenses (PPE) claims

NHSBSA aim to pay PPE claims within 25 working days following receipt of a validated claim from your university.

Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs)

NHSBSA aim to pay these allowances within 20 working days of receiving your application and supporting evidence.