Student Support Fund
If you are in need of urgent financial assistance, please book an appointment with the team using the booking link on our Money Advice homepage.
Alternatively, if there are no appointments available, email us at [email protected] stating the days and times you are available and specify whether you would like a face to face, phone or MS Teams appointment. We will then book you in for the earliest available slot.
Before making an application to the Student Support Fund, please read the guidance on this page, including the Frequently Asked Questions section.
The Student Support Fund
The Student Support Fund provides non-repayable discretionary awards and emergency support to assist students in financial difficulty, who might otherwise be at risk of leaving their courses because of financial hardship.
The Student Support Fund may be available to provide help for full time (and eligible part time) students who have serious financial difficulties or whose access to higher education might be inhibited because of financial reasons.
The fund is also open to students on an apprenticeship programme. This is a means tested fund and is designed to provide a financial contribution to support those whose expected reasonable expenditure exceeds their income. However, please note there is no automatic entitlement to an award.
An application is required and a means test of your income and certain expenses for the academic year is carried out to determine whether you qualify for an award. If you qualify, you won’t have to pay back the money you receive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply?
The Student Support Fund is primarily available to UK undergraduate and postgraduate students who are experiencing financial hardship during their studies.
Overseas and EU students may also apply; however, support for these student groups is limited and would normally only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Please note: Eligibility to apply does not guarantee an award. All applications are assessed individually against the Fund’s criteria, available evidence, and the level of financial hardship demonstrated. Support for overseas and EU students is restricted and will normally only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Students in receipt of NHS LSF Training Grant
If you are a student in receipt of NHS LSF funding, please book an appointment with the Money Advice Team for a pre-assessment BEFORE applying to the Student Support Fund
During the appointment, our advisors will complete an assessment and provide a verbal indication as to whether you would be likely to qualify for a Standard Award from the University Student Support Fund.
If you are not eligible for a Standard Award, we can signpost you to the NHS ESF Exceptional Support Fund (ESF) | NHSBSA who may be able to provide some assistance.
You can make your appointment for your pre-assessment using the booking link here Money Advice portal – Edge Hill University
Who is not eligible to apply?
The Student Support Fund is not available to:
- Students studying on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses; or
- Students enrolled on courses that represent less than 25% of the credits of an equivalent full-time programme.
Before you apply
Before applying to the Student Support Fund, you must have explored and exhausted all of the below:
- Applied for the maximum available student finance and been fully means tested.
- Applied for any subject specific bursaries that you are eligible for.
- Applied for the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) for eligible Health courses such as Nursing, Midwifery and Operating Departmental Practice.
- Applied for a student bank account and associated overdrafts (where available)
- Student Budgeting – Save the Student, by considering realistic and practical ways of managing your spending, such as setting a spending target to help monitor and stretch your money over each term.
- For students able to work, explored Part Time work opportunities with our Careers Team.
- Postgraduates are encouraged to explore all forms of additional funding to maximise the amount available to support the payment of tuition fees and living costs
Can you help me to complete the application form?
Yes of course we can.
Firstly, please read the guidance provided on the application form, follow the instructions in each section and use the Supporting Evidence Checklist when completing the form.
If you are still struggling and need support, we are happy to answer any further questions you have regarding the Student Support Fund by email to [email protected] or we can support your by offering an appointment via the Money Advice portal – Edge Hill University here.
When does the Student Support Fund Open & Close?
Applications open two weeks after the start date of your course and will close six weeks before the end of your academic year.
To determine your specific application window, please refer to the Start & End Term Dates available here 2026/2027 terms dates | Academic Records | Edge Hill University
If your course is not listed, it follows the standard term dates displayed at the top of the page.
Medicine Students entering 5th/6th year of study
Applications for Medicine students will be open from 10th August 2026 and will close six weeks before the end of your academic year.
Please note, Medicine Students who apply in August won’t receive the first instalment of any award due, until 2 weeks after your course starts.
We encourage all students to check these dates carefully and apply in good time, as late applications cannot be accepted. If you have passed the closing date for your course and are struggling financially, we would recommend you book an appointment with our Money Advice Team using the booking link here Money Advice portal – Edge Hill University to discuss your personal circumstances further.
How often can I apply to the Student Support Fund?
We are pleased to remind you that you may be eligible to apply for the University Student Support Fund once during each academic year.
Can I apply more than once?
We assess your application over the whole academic year, so it is not usually possible to re-apply to the fund. However, if your financial situation has significantly changed during the academic year (your income has reduced and or your expenditure/costs which can be included in a hardship assessment have increased), you can request one re-assessment per academic year. Please make an appointment with the Money Advice team to discuss your circumstances before making a request for re-assessment.
How are applications assessed?
Income Assessment
When assessing your application, we will consider all sources of income available to you. This may include:
- Student Finance maintenance loans and grants
- NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) and NHS Bursary payments
- Teacher Training Bursaries
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Universal Credit and other benefits
- Child maintenance payments
- Partner’s earnings
- Parental contributions
- Assumed Income*
- Savings (although only savings above the Assumed Income threshold are included in the assessment)
Assumed Income is a fixed amount that it is assumed a student may be able to generate through sources such as part-time employment. The amount varies depending on your year of study and may be waived for certain student groups.
Postgraduate and Self-Funded Students
For postgraduate students and students who are self-funding, including international students, we will assess either:
- Your actual earnings, or
- The Minimum Required Provision (MRP),
whichever is the higher amount.
The Minimum Required Provision (MRP) is a figure set by a national sector body and represents the level of income a student is expected to have available to meet essential living costs during their studies.
This approach helps ensure that all applications are assessed fairly and consistently.
Expenditure Assessment
When assessing your application, we will consider a range of essential living and study-related costs. These may include:
- Rent, hall fees, or mortgage costs (please note that maximum allowable amounts apply and are reviewed annually)
- Composite living costs, which cover general day-to-day expenses such as food, utilities, and household bills (these figures are set by a national sector body and reviewed annually)
- Registered childcare costs
- Disability-related costs that are not covered by the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
- Travel costs to and from the University
- Car loan repayments (for eligible student groups only; these are subject to annual caps)
- Essential car running costs and repairs (for eligible student groups only; these are subject to annual caps)
- Council Tax
- Life insurance and buildings insurance
- School transport costs
- A partner’s travel-to-work costs
In addition, a standard course-related cost allowance of either £500 or £1,000 is included, depending on the type of course you are studying.
This approach helps to ensure that expenditure is assessed fairly and consistently across all applications.
Assessment Method
Your period of assessment will normally be the number of weeks from your course start date to your course end date.
To assess your application, we calculate the difference between your total income and total expenditure over the assessment period. Where a shortfall (deficit) exists, a Standard Award may be made.
A Standard Award is normally calculated as 80% of the assessed deficit, up to a maximum deficit of £3,000.
Awards can range from £100 to £2,400, depending on the level of financial need identified through the assessment.
Examples
| Assessed Deficit | Standard Award |
| £3,000 | £2,400 |
| £2,000 | £1,600 |
| £1,000 | £800 |
| £500 | £400 |
Important Information
Please note: The Student Support Fund is intended to provide a contribution towards essential living costs and may not fully meet the level of your assessed shortfall.
In some circumstances, awards may be made in alternative forms, including:
- Shopping vouchers;
- Direct payments to third-party providers, such as landlords or childcare providers; or
- Payments towards outstanding University Hall Fees.
The method of payment will be determined based on individual circumstances and the purpose of the award.
How much could I receive as an award?
If your application is successful, we will award a figure between £100 and £2,400. The exact amount that you receive will depend on your individual financial circumstances.
How will payments be made?
Student Support Fund awards are usually paid directly into your bank account and are normally spread across instalments during the academic year to help you manage your finances and budget effectively.
Awards of less than £750 may be paid as a single instalment.
In some circumstances, the University may apply an award in a different way, including:
- Payments towards outstanding University Hall Fees
- Direct payments to a third-party provider, such as a landlord or registered childcare provider
- The provision of food vouchers or other forms of essential support
The method of payment will be determined based on your individual circumstances and the purpose of the award.
Students who are self-funding or receiving a Postgraduate Loan
Students who are self-funding their tuition fees or who are in receipt of a Postgraduate Loan may receive their award in instalments only after the University has confirmed that their tuition fee payments are up to date and being maintained in accordance with their agreed payment plan.
Important: The University reserves the right to determine the method, value, and frequency of award payments and may amend payment arrangements where this is considered appropriate to support a student’s circumstances.
How long will it take to find out if my application has been successful?
During our busiest period, September to December, it may take up to six weeks to process your Student Support Fund application from the date that all required supporting evidence has been received.
If we need additional information to assess your application, we will contact you directly.
Requests for Additional Income Evidence
If we request additional evidence relating to your income, you will have four working weeks to provide the information.
If we do not receive the requested evidence within this timeframe, we will be unable to continue processing your application and your application will be cancelled.
Requests for Additional Expenditure Evidence
If we request additional evidence relating to your expenditure, you will also have four working weeks to provide the information.
If the requested expenditure evidence is not received within this period, we will proceed with the assessment using the information and evidence already available to us. This may result in your application being refused or assessed at a lower level of need than may otherwise have been identified.
It is therefore important that you provide any requested evidence as soon as possible.
Important: Assessment timescales begin only once all required information and supporting evidence have been received. The University reserves the right to request additional evidence at any stage of the assessment process in support of an application for financial assistance.
What evidence will I need to provide with my application?
A detailed supporting evidence checklist is included on the application form. Please ensure you provide all requested supporting evidence before e-mailing your application form. Applications received without the required supporting evidence will not be allocated for assessment.
Please note that the University reserves the right to request additional supporting evidence at any stage of the assessment process in support of an application for financial assistance. Failure to provide this information may result in your application being refused.
Can I appeal the decision?
Yes. If you would like to appeal a Student Support Fund decision, you must submit a request within 4 weeks (28 days) of the date of the original decision.
To request an appeal form, please email [email protected]. The Money Advice Team will send you a Student Support Fund Appeal Form for completion.
The appeal process provides an opportunity to:
- Review the original assessment and decision;
- Check the accuracy of the calculations used;
- Ensure that all relevant information and supporting evidence has been considered; and
- Submit any new or additional evidence that may support your appeal.
Once completed, your appeal form should be returned by email to [email protected].
Appeals are normally reviewed and responded to within 10 working days of receiving a completed appeal form and any supporting documentation.
It is important that you clearly explain the reasons for your appeal and provide any additional evidence you would like to be considered. The Money Advice Team may also contact you to request further information where this is needed to complete the review.
Please note: Submitting an appeal does not guarantee that the original decision will be changed. Each appeal is considered on its individual merits and is assessed in light of the information and evidence provided.
Can I receive help with tuition fees?
No. The Student Support Fund is intended to help students experiencing financial hardship with their living costs and cannot be used to pay tuition fees.
Any award made through the Student Support Fund is provided to support essential living expenses and should not be relied upon to meet tuition fee liabilities.
Please note that where a student has outstanding tuition fee debt owed to the University, the University reserves the right to withhold payment of any Student Support Fund award until tuition fee payments are brought up to date and are being maintained in accordance with an agreed payment plan.
Important: The Student Support Fund is designed to assist with living costs only and does not replace a student’s responsibility to meet their tuition fee obligations. Any award offered may be delayed or withheld where there is outstanding tuition fee debt that is not being managed in line with an agreed repayment arrangement.
My student funding is delayed, is there any support I can receive?
You must have applied and been fully assessed for your student funding BEFORE applying to the Student Support Fund. If you have not yet received your student funding, due to an outstanding Occupational Health or DBS check please email [email protected] to check if you are eligible for early release of funding. For any other delays in funding, please book in an appointment with our Money Advice Team via the Money Advice portal – Edge Hill University
My Student Finance Maintenance Loan has been reduced due to an overpayment deduction. What can I do?
If your Student Finance maintenance loan has been reduced because of an overpayment deduction and you are experiencing financial difficulties as a result, you should contact Student Finance as soon as possible.
You can ask Student Finance to issue a Financial Hardship Confirmation Form, which allows them to consider whether the overpayment recovery can be deferred due to financial hardship.
Before applying to the Student Support Fund, you must:
- Contact Student Finance and request a Financial Hardship Confirmation Form.
- Complete any required hardship assessment process with Student Finance.
- Await the outcome of their consideration regarding the overpayment deduction.
The Student Support Fund expects students to explore this option first, as a successful deferral may increase the maintenance funding available to you during the academic year.
Important: If your maintenance loan has been reduced due to the recovery of a Student Finance overpayment, you must apply for and be assessed for a Financial Hardship Confirmation Form through Student Finance before submitting an application to the Student Support Fund. Failure to do so may delay the assessment of your application.
My household income has dropped, and my parents are struggling to support me. What help can I get?
If your household income has reduced by 15% or more since your Student Finance assessment was completed, you may be entitled to additional maintenance funding.
In these circumstances, we recommend that you contact Student Finance and request a Current Year Income Assessment (CYI). This allows Student Finance to reassess your household income using more recent financial information rather than the income from the tax year originally used to calculate your entitlement.
If the reassessment confirms a significant reduction in household income, you may become eligible for an increased maintenance loan or grant entitlement.
We strongly advise you to request and complete a Current Year Income Assessment before making an application to the Student Support Fund, as any additional funding awarded by Student Finance should be considered as part of your income assessment.
How to apply
Step 1: Please complete the application form via the link below
Step 2: Send ONE Email only to [email protected] attaching your completed application form and all the required supporting evidence as outlined in the evidence checklist.
Step 3: Await a reply from Money Advice Team to your Student Email address confirming receipt of your application (please allow up to 72 hours for us to respond)
