University Hardship Fund For Students And Other Financial Support

As the cost of living continues to soar and inflation takes its toll, the financial strain on UK students has reached unprecedented levels. Every university in such a situation has support funds and in this article we will show how and for whom it is this lifeline called Student Hardship Fund. Read on to discover how you can access the support you need and regain control of your financial journey while pursuing your education.

What is the student hardship fund?

The Student Hardship Fund (SHF) is offered by universities as assistance for students who are facing legitimate and inevitable financial challenges and are having difficulty managing their expenses related to daily living. It is very important to pay attention to the aspect that problems must be inevitable, that is, they are not your fault and despite your efforts in the current challenging situation are difficult to overcome on your own. The student’s application and circumstances are meticulously assessed before this funding is awarded, so if you have a recent history of careless financial management, you are unlikely to be eligible for assistance.

The amount of aid is determined by each university individually, so to find out the details, you should visit the appropriate tab on your university’s website. Many UK universities have lots of funds that can be used to help in a financial difficulty.

In this article, we will familiarize you with the application process, we will tell you who this help is addressed to and we will give its approximate amount. Most often, the aid is to be one-time, so this grant cannot be considered as money for paying tuition fees.

Who can apply for student hardship funds?

Each university has its own eligibility criteria for evaluating applicants, but there are a few main ‘situations’ where you can apply for this extra emergency cash if you find yourself in it. You must be a:

• student who has children, particularly single parents
• homeless person
• student with disabilities
• student coming from a low-income family
• mature student with existing financial obligations
• student who was previously in foster care

In most cases, this support is mainly given to undergraduate students, with another fund being allocated to postgraduate students. As you can see, however, it concerns financial difficulties, especially those that can happen suddenly, such as loss of residence when you are already studying. Then it is certainly worth applying for such help, regardless of the level at which you are currently educating.

Universities differ as to whether the same fund is for home students and international students or not. Very often, however, the criterion for evaluating a grant application is to use all other “earlier” loan options.

How much is the student hardship fund? How much can I get?

Generally university hardship fund provides support of up to £2,500 per academic year, and it is not required to be repaid.
But as we mentioned earlier, the situation is more complex and individual for each university. Some are, to put it simply, richer, earn more, so their offer of help may also be higher.

The monetary assistance you can receive from a hardship fund does not really have a predetermined amount. While some universities may have minimum and maximum limits for their non repayable support, it is difficult to predict the exact sum you will receive. It could range anywhere from £100 to several thousand pounds.

Furthermore, the amount of assistance you obtain will be influenced by the nature of your hardship. For example, if a one-time payment of £300 can resolve your issue, it is unlikely that your university will provide a larger sum.

It’s important to remember that some universities may require repayment. You have to be certain about your university’s policy before accepting any funds from the hardship program.

Compare hardship fund rates from previous years

A total of 132 universities and colleges provided information in response to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by the BBC regarding their student hardship funds during the period of 2018 to 2021.  The rule is that the more applicants, the less money is paid. During the pandemic, the demand for assistance increased especially, which is why the amounts were lower, although attempts were made to pay an additional benefit due to the specificity of the situation.

• In the 2018/19 academic year, 45,850 students applied for university hardship funding, and they each received an average of £902 
• During the 2019/20 academic year, 70,109 students applied, and received an average of £811 each 
• In the 2020/21 academic year, 124,555 students applied for hardship funding, and they each received an average of £826

University hardship funding for students and the rising cost of living in 2023

One of the biggest problems that students face is inflation and the soaring living costs. Some universities have specific amounts for specific aspects of the cost of living such as electricity, clothing, travel costs or leisure. Below we present an overview of student hardship funding at the best universities in the UK.

University of Cambridge

Throughout the whole academic year, students have the opportunity to seek financial assistance. The Cambridge University hardship fund offers grants of up to £3,500 to help cover living expenses. This includes a standard limit of £2,000 for unexpected financial difficulties and an extra £1,500 designated for supporting the Cost of Living in the 2022/23 academic year.

University of Oxford

Home students facing a financial deficit will undergo evaluation by the Student Fees and Funding team to determine their eligibility for a grant of up to £3,000. As for students who are not classified as home students, they will be evaluated for an award of up to £8,000, typically comprising a combination of grant and loan or solely a loan at this level.

University of Bath

The highest amount of hardship funds that can be granted is £3,500. For students enrolled in part-time distance learning courses, financial assistance is available specifically for certain expenses related to their studies, such as books, travel to the university for residential sessions, and residential accommodation, with a maximum limit of £750. The same in the case of students pursuing part-time distance learning postgraduate taught courses online but the maximum is £300.

Loughborough University

The maximum amount that can be received in a single academic year is £2,500, but this is subject to individual circumstances. In case of urgent financial need, they offer an Emergency Hardship Loan of up to £250. This loan is short-term and does not incur any interest or fees, unlike unauthorized overdrafts or payday loans.

Durham University

The Student Support contact at your College will assess the following choices from the Instant Access University Hardship Fund:

• A Tesco voucher worth £25
• Campus catering vouchers (the quantity will be determined by the College) worth £6.25
• Up to £50 in cash

Cash assistance, at the College’s discretion, can be provided to help with essential non-food living costs such as: transportation to and from campus, gas or electric expenses (if using a pay-as-you-go or top-up meter), prescription costs.

The primary form of support is the Durham Grant Scheme, accessible to home undergraduate students without a prior undergraduate degree. Students from households earning less than £27,500 are eligible for a grant of £2200. Those with household income up to £47,200 are entitled to receive a grant ranging from £2119 to £232.

University College London

In cases of unforeseen circumstances leading to financial hardship, there are limited loans available, amounting to a maximum of £250. Additionally, UCL Financial Assistance Fund can be utilized by students.

Full-time students without dependants can receive up to £2,500, while those with dependants can receive up to £3,000. Part-time students without dependants are eligible for up to £1,250, and those with dependants can receive up to £1,500.

How to apply for the student hardship fund?

Reach out to the student services department at your university or college to determine your eligibility.

You will be required to provide:

• A copy of the letter from Student Finance England displaying the amount of student finance you are entitled to.
• Documentation pertaining to your financial situation, such as bank statements and rental/ bills information. This information is needed to assess your financial situation, primarily in terms of whether the difficult situation does not result from, for example, extravagance, unnecessary purchases.
• It is very likely that you will also be asked for proof that you are in a difficult situation, e.g. a document certifying dismissal from work, a medical certificate about an accident preventing you from working, etc.

What to do if your hardship fund application is rejected?

Student grants and scholarships – each university has its own list of benefits, but we encourage you to take a look at our scholarships tab where we describe development opportunities. Often this will not be an immediate benefit, but it can help in the next years of study.

Loan – if you’re struggling in a difficult financial situation it is not always the best solution, but if you know that the situation is probably temporary, many universities provide emergency loans.

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) – this is an opportunity for people in a difficult life situation resulting from a disability, which, as in many of the cases mentioned earlier, is rather not temporary. It does not only apply to physical disabilities, but also to mental health or learning difficulties.

Charities – there are quite a few charities that offer hardship funds depending on the type of need. If your university rejects your application, you may be able to use one of them.

Now you know that you can count on the university hardship fund in case of a difficult life situation. Want to know more about grant opportunities or need practical advice on applying? Find your university’s thread on gowork.uk and ask your question.