UK students can use the funding to cover course and living costs that are not met by other grants; for emergency payments to cover financial crises; or to help you if you are thinking of giving up your course because of financial difficulties.

Money from this funding is paid on top of the standard UK student finance package. It is not meant as a substitute for it. As a student, you are expected to apply for all the loans, grants and bursaries (as appropriate) to which you are entitled, before asking for help through financial hardship funding.

* Any awards are subject to available funding.

What is the aim of the funding?

• To support vulnerable students, in particular to help them access and remain in higher education
• To assist those who need extra help to meet particular costs which are not already met from grant, student loan or other sources of funding

Who is eligible for the Access to Learning Fund (ALF)?

The funding can be used to help UK students registered on a course in the following categories:

• Full- and part-time students (including distance learners) following any of the eligible higher education courses
• Part-time students should be on courses that last at least one year and should not take more than twice as long to complete than students on an equivalent full-time course
• Students on sandwich courses
• Students on flexible sandwich PGCE courses, who can receive help to cover costs during the period of study
• Full-time and part-time students on a postgraduate course (including distance learners) following a course that is a minimum of one year, and providing that part-time postgraduate students are studying at least 50% of a full-time equivalent course
• NHS students (both means-tested and non-means-tested bursary holders and NHS salaried employees)

You are also eligible to apply if you are a student with children; lone parents; mature students; students with low-income families; students who have been in care; students who are homeless; students with disabilities; and final-year students.

How do I apply for a funding award?

Fill in either a print or electronic application form (below) as fully as possible, after reading the guidance notes. Attach legible copies of the evidence required (this is listed on the application form) and send it all to the Student Money Team via an enquiry using https://www.beds.ac.uk/sid/contactus.

Eligibility for funds will be assessed by the Student Money Advice team.

Important: Applications must be accompanied with supporting evidence - without evidence, an assessment of your application cannot be made.

• Application Form - print version (fill in with pen) [DOC]
• Application Form - electronic version (download and open with Adobe Acrobat) [PDF]
• Guidance Notes [DOCX]
• FAQ [DOCX]
• Financial Hardship Funding Terms and Conditions

If you have queries or want to make an enquiry about Financial Hardship Funding, please log an enquiry for the Student Money Advice Team via https://www.beds.ac.uk/sid/contactus