These funds are available through your college and provide financial help for students on low incomes who may need extra support during their course. Listed below are some examples of how these funds can help:
- Particular costs which are not already being met by other grants.
- They can help if students are in financial hardship.
- They can provide emergency payments for unexpected financial crises.
- They can help students who may be considering giving up their course because of financial problems.
These funds are for full-time and part-time students (studying at least half of an equivalent full-time course – your college will be able to tell you if your course qualifies). Students will be assessed according to individual needs.
However, the following groups of students are a priority for help from the Access and Hardship Funds;
- Students with children, especially lone parents.
- Other mature students, especially those with existing financial commitments.
- Students from low-income families.
- Disabled students (if your disability prevents you from studying 50% of a full-time course, you will also be eligible for support from the funds, as long as you are studying at least 25% of a full-time course).
- Students who have been in care.