The Money Advice Service is here to provide students and potential students at the University of Worcester with welfare and financial advice and support.

To arrange an appointment with a Money Adviser, please email firstpoint or phone 01905 54 2551. 

Access to Learning Fund (Hardship Fund)

The University Hardship Fund is called the Access to Learning Fund. It is a non-repayable grant administered by The University of Worcester to help eligible students who are experiencing financial difficulties. In particular help is given to students who may be financially disadvantaged.

To make the application process as quick as possible, all documents are completed and submitted online. 

Eligibility

Who can apply?

You must be a Home or EU student eligible for Home Fee status, registered on a course at the University of Worcester or registered as a University of Worcester Student at a Partner College, but not including ‘Direct Funding’ students who pay fees directly to the Partner College.

A Home student is defined as a person who meets certain residency conditions (the same conditions apply to eligibility for statutory student support from Student Finance England, for example, for the student Maintenance Loan).

An EU student for Access Fund purposes is normally defined as someone who is an EU national, eligible for Home Fee status. EU students not eligible for help with living costs from Student Finance England will have a notional figure for assumed income included in their assessment.

Please note: International students (not eligible to apply to the Access to Learning Fund) who are in YEAR 2 OR ABOVE, with an unexpected financial difficulty requiring one-off short-term help to avoid it impacting on their success at university can apply to the International Student Hardship Fund

Access to Learning Fund FAQ'S

Q. Is it only for Undergraduate students?
A. You can apply if you are an Undergraduate or Postgraduate student.

Q. Is it only for full time students?
A. You can apply if you are studying full time, part time, or as a distance learner.
Part time students who commenced their course on or after September 2012 must be studying at a minimum rate of 25% of a full time course in order to be eligible.

Q. I am getting an NHS/ Social Work Bursary, can I still apply?
A. Yes - Healthcare & Social Work students who receive either a means tested or non means-tested NHS bursary are eligible to apply to the Fund.

Q. My parents have good jobs – does this mean I can’t get help from the fund?
A. Not necessarily – the fund looks at your financial situation not your parents, it is still worthwhile applying.

Q.  My partner is working – does this mean I can’t get help?
A. You should still apply – If your partner lives with you we will consider their income and outgoings as part of the assessment.

Q. I have temporarily withdrawn from my course – can I still apply?
A. Yes, Students on Leave of Absence who have not permanently withdrawn from studies and intend to return after time out, are eligible to apply for help from the Fund. e.g. if you are unable to attend your course for health or caring reasons or for some other unavoidable circumstance you can apply for help.

Q. I am not sure that the Fund is for me – should I apply?
A. Yes – The only way to find out for sure is by applying. The worst that can happen is that you are not given an award but this will not stop you from applying again in the future and the best that can happen is that you are awarded some money, so you really have nothing to lose by applying. You can also make an appointment with a University Money Adviser to discuss your eligibility and application.

How to Apply

The Access to Learning Fund application form is available to download from this page under "Documents" - download it and save under a new name before completing.

Please see the separate Access to Learning Fund Guidance Notes (under "Documents") for a step-by-step guide to completing your application form, full details of the supporting evidence required by the assessors, and frequently asked questions. 

Completed application forms and copies of all the supporting evidence should be emailed to: moneyadvice@worc.ac.uk

It is essential that you check that your bank details are correct on your SOLE page before submitting your application - any funds awarded will be paid into this bank account.

Please note, the Access to Learning Fund is limited and not all applicants will receive financial help or cover for their entire financial shortfall.

Points to Remember

  • Applicants must already have started their course.
  • All the supporting evidence requested in the Access to Learning Fund Guidance Notes MUST be provided, to avoid delaying the student's application.
  • Students must have applied for all the financial support to which they are entitled, including the maximum Student Loans, Grants & allowances following financial assessment by Student Finance, or a Postgraduate Loan as appropriate, and any Welfare Benefits, Tax Credits or Universal Credit that they (or their partner) are entitled to.
  • The fund is limited and cannot always make up the whole of a student's financial short fall.
  • The fund cannot be used to help students pay their tuition fees.
  • For more information about the fund or to make an appointment with a Money Adviser for help with completing the application, email firstpoint at: firstpoint@worc.ac.uk  
  • Students' Union Student Adviser will also help with the completion of application forms - for an appointment complete the SU's online enquiry form.


Change of Circumstances

If you have already received an award from the Access to Learning Fund within the academic year but have experienced a change of circumstances which you feel may warrant a further award, you should complete a Change of Circumstances Application Form and submit it with the relevant supporting evidence.

Please note: it would need to be a significant change in circumstances which has occurred after your first award from the fund.

For example:

  • A new unexpected cost such as essential car repairs, replacement of essential household goods, unexpected bill etc.
  • Loss of income – for example due to redundancy, reduction in working hours, illness, change to Welfare Benefits or a change to your student income.
  • Financial pressure caused by relationship breakdown.
  • Increase in costs due to change in your studies, for example increased placement travel costs or increased childcare costs.


Click on the link to the left of this page to download a copy of the 2024/25 Change of Circumstances Form.

 

Documents

Access to Learning Fund Application Form 2024-25

Access to Learning Fund Guidance Notes 2024-25

Please ensure that you read the Guidance Notes before completing your application form, and submit copies of all the supporting evidence requested with your form.

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Access to Learning Fund Change of Circumstances Application Form 2024-25

Please note: This is only for students who have already applied to the Access to Learning Fund during the academic year, but have since had a change of circumstances which they feel warrants a further award.