Erasmus grant
An Erasmus grant is available to participating students to assist with the extra costs of studying and living abroad.
What is the grant for?
The Erasmus grant is intended as a contribution to assist with the extra costs of studying abroad. It will not cover all the costs of your year. It is not means-tested.
Am I eligible?
All participants of all nationalities are eligible to apply for the Erasmus grant, as long as they are registered on a full-time degree programme.
A minimum of three months' continuous work or study abroad must be completed and the work completed must also count for credit towards their Edinburgh degree.
During his or her university 'career' a student may receive an Erasmus grant for one study period and one work placement period for up to 12 months each.
If you have been an Erasmus student at another university in the past then, unfortunately, you are not eligible to receive a second grant.
How much will I receive?
The amount of the grant may vary from year to year - it is set by the British Council, and not by the University of Edinburgh. The grant is usually paid in two instalments and is calculated on the basis of the length of the Erasmus period.
In 2011/12, the first instalment totalled €225 multiplied by the number of months of the Erasmus period. So, for a 9 month Erasmus stay, students received €2025 in their first instalment. For a 4 month period, they received €900, and so on.
The second instalment totalled €147 multiplied by the number of months of their Erasmus period. So, again, for a 9 month period, the allocation was €1323, for a 4 month period, €588.
The first instalment for 2012/13 outgoing students has also been set at €225 per month. The second instalment has been set at €145 per month.
Supplementary allowance
Students studying in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Turkey next year will receive a one-off, supplementary payment of €400.
"It was very useful to have the Erasmus grant - it helped out a lot."
Jessica
studied History in The Netherlands
When is the grant paid?
Students going on exchange in the first semester usually receive their first allocation in October or November. Students going on exchange in the second semester usually receive their first allocation shortly after their departure.
The second allocation is not made until June at the earliest, which may be at or after the end of the Erasmus exchange period for some students.
Grant payments may be delayed or withheld if the requested paperwork is not returned by participating students.
How will I receive my payments?
Payments are made in pounds sterling and are made by bank transfer into a UK account.
Applying for the grant
All participating students must return a grant contract before their departure. This must be completed, signed and returned to the International Office before leaving Edinburgh.
For any students undertaking two separate Erasmus periods (eg. Modern Languages students spending two semesters in two different countries), two grant contracts will be required.
This article was published on Aug 30, 2012