Access to Learning Fund

Extra help is available for students who get into financial difficulties whilst studying or who find themselves facing extra costs in completing their course. The Access to Learning Fund is available through universities and colleges, and is designed for the following circumstances:

• for students in financial hardship
• for specific course or living costs that are not already met by other grants
• for emergency payments to cover unexpected financial crises
• for students who may be considering giving up their course because of financial difficulties

Any money granted from the fund will be paid in addition to the standard student finance package.

Money may be used to help with everyday living costs, costs of childcare not met through other grants, support over the summer holidays and exceptional costs such as repairs to household equipment or help with emergency situations.

Applying to the Fund

Applications to the Access to Learning Fund are normally made through the college or university's student services department. Grants and loans are available to full-time and part-time students (as long as their course does not take more than twice as long to complete as an equivalent full-time course). Postgraduate students may also apply. Before applying, students you are expected to have applied for all the other loans, grants and bursaries that they are entitled to.

Each college and university has discretion over how the funds are awarded; however, the following groups of students are usually a priority for support:

• Students in their final year.
• Disabled students.
• Mature students - especially those with existing financial commitments.
• Students with children - especially lone parents.
• Students from low-income families.
• Students who are homeless or who are living in 'Foyers' (providing accommodation, guidance and support for homeless young people).
• Students who have been in care.

The amount awarded will be based on the student's personal circumstances. The college or university will normally assess whether there is a shortfall between the student's income and their outgoings, and then decide how much help they will offer. Payments for successful applicants are usually given as grants, which do not have to be repaid, although they may be given as short-term loans. The college or university will decide whether to pay the amount in one lump sum or in instalments.