Students in financial hardship
If you're a UK home student and are in financial difficulty there are a number of sources of support available for you.
The Student Employment Agency can help you find temporary and part time work that can fit around your academic study.
If you have not received the maximum student funding available and your circumstances have significantly changed you may be entitled to have your student loan and maintenance grant reassessed. You can find out more about this at www.direct.gov.uk.
You may be entitled to financial assistance from the Access to Learning Fund. You can find more details about this below. Please note: Some of the advice you need may differ depending on whether you are studying on a further education or higher education course. We have tried to reflect this in these pages, however, if you are unsure about anything, please contact us.
If you are an international student and you are in financial difficulty you can find advice and guidance on the UKCISA website.
» What is the Access to Learning Fund?
The Access to Learning Fund provides discretionary financial assistance for students to help them access and remain in higher education - particularly those students who need financial help to meet extra costs that cannot be met from other sources of support. The Fund can help to alleviate unexpected financial hardship. Students who may be considering leaving higher education because of financial problems are particularly encouraged to apply. Usually, you will not have to repay any assistance provided by The Fund.
» Who is eligible to apply?
The Access to Learning Fund is for home students only. A home student is defined as a person who meets certain residency conditions (the same conditions apply to eligibility for student support, for example, the student loan). Please refer to Access to Learning Fund Guidance Notes below to check if you are eligible. The following groups of students can apply to The Fund.
- Undergraduate students either full time or part time, including part time distance learners, undertaking a higher education course, including sandwich courses and any periods of placement. If eligible, students must have applied for the full assessed entitlement of their student loan before applying to the Fund.
- Postgraduate students, either full time or part time, undertaking a course of higher education at a level above first degree.
- Part time students should be studying at least 50% of a full time course.
- Disabled students should be studying at least 25% of a full time course.
- Students who receive either a means tested or non means tested NHS bursary.
» How can I apply?
You will be required to complete an application form, submit evidence about your income and expenditure and provide statements from the last three months for all of your bank/building society accounts. A checklist of evidence is provided at the back of the application form. You can download the application form from the link below.
» When can I apply?
You can apply to the Fund at any point until June 2013. After this date, students not in their final year can be considered for Summer Assessments. Reassessments can be considered at any time of the year following an initial award.
» How long does the process take?
As long as your application form has been accurately completed and the appropriate documentary evidence supplied, an assessment and decision should be made within 4 working weeks of submission. You should also normally expect to receive a payment in this time. However, in some cases, we may need to defer your initial payment beyond 4 weeks to deal with a particular circumstance. If this applies to your application we will let you know in advance.
» How is the application assessed?
We will receipt and log your application before checking that you have provided the appropriate documentary evidence. If you haven't supplied the correct evidence we will contact you by email and ask you to provide further evidence. The application is then forwarded to the ALF Panel for consideration. You will be notified in writing of the Panel's decision. Further information regarding the assessment process can be found in the ALF Guidance Notes below.
» How much could I receive?
Awards of between £100 - £3500 can be made, depending on your individual circumstances. We do not guarantee financial assistance to all eligible applicants.
» Can I appeal against the decision?
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the ALF Panel you may appeal in writing to the:
ALF Appeals Panel
Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART)
T Block, Ground Floor
University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby DE22 1GB
Any appeal must be made within 4 weeks from the date of the original decision (this is indicated on the letter).
The decision of the Appeals Panel will be final.
» Can I apply to the Fund more than once?
You may apply more than once during an academic year for help from the Access to Learning Fund but only if your circumstances have changed. You will be asked to provide documentary evidence about the changes in circumstance.
» Can I receive any help towards my tuition fees?
The Access to Learning Fund cannot help with assistance towards tuition fees. However, if you are a continuing part time undergraduate student, you may be eligible for assistance through the Additional Fee Support Scheme (AFSS).
To access these documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
» Application form and guidance notes
Forms and guidance relating to the Access to Learning Fund (ALF) can be downloaded here.
If you have applied for your student funding but have not yet received it and are struggling to afford food, you should make an appointment to see a Student Advisor. They will discuss the possibility of you being awarded a short term loan and food vouchers to assist you during the period up to the receipt of your student loan.
» Contact details
If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to talk to someone, you may wish to contact a Student Advisor on the Helpline between 10am-11am and 1pm-2pm, Monday to Friday. Telephone 01332 592000 or ext 2000
Email us at student-wellbeing@derby.ac.uk
If you want to make an appointment to see an advisor in person or if you have any queries relating to the Access to Learning Fund application process please contact the Student Wellbeing Service on
Telephone 01332 593000 or ext 3000
Email us at smart@derby.ac.uk
