Emergency funds for students are available to some selected students to help them overcome some unfavourable difficulties.
Students are the most precious gems of any nation. Therefore, the country must make special arrangements to ensure easy studies for students from all strata.
Most universities in the UK provide such financial aid to students in distress. Moreover, these funds aim at supporting backward students to continue their studies to build good careers.
They cover the cost-related expenses for a course and the general living costs. However, the tuition costs are not included in the benefits of these funds.
Are you struggling hard to get admission to a UK university? Are the costs appearing to be very high? You can undoubtedly take the help of the Student Support Fund.
Another beneficial fund is the Student Hardship Fund. These funds can be a big game changer for your life.
So, do not miss the opportunity to apply for these amazing options in Britain. Here are the details of all such helpful funds for students.
How does the Student Hardship Fund work?
The British universities allow Student Hardship Funds to support the struggling students. Furthermore, these financial aids determine only the genuine cases and provide adequate support to the students.
Moreover, the universities plan a specific amount that the students can get.
You cannot get this amount according to your needs. It is essential to follow a specific procedure to apply for the fund to the concerned university.
If, after verification, the university authorities feel satisfied that your case is genuine, they will approve the disbursement of the pre-determined amount.
They can decide to distribute the said funds in instalments or pay the entire money in a lump sum.
The Student Hardship Fund is one of the emergency funds for students in UK universities. It becomes highly challenging to continue studies after going through a lot of hardships in everyday life.
However, student finances by universities are specifically designed to let their students complete their education amidst all the challenges and financial problems.
Moreover, they are not like high-interest-bearing education students. In most cases, the students do not have the burden to pay off these funds.
Therefore, they act as scholarships and mitigate the daily living costs of the youngsters, such as electricity bills, telephone expenses, rent, food expenses, etc.
Who is eligible for Emergency Funds for Students?
A student will be eligible for the Student Hardship Fund if he is from a low-income bracket. Moreover, the funds are available in the following cases:-
- Persons with disabilities
- Blindness
- Bereavement
- Serious ailment
However, the loans sanctioned as Student Support funds are not the same for all educational institutions. The amounts and the related criteria will depend upon the specific rules and regulations of each school, college, or university.
The universities provide the funds to eliminate the hardships from the students’ lives. Therefore, they expect that the financial condition of the students’ families will not be below a particular threshold.
This will make the student eligible for applying for the said funds. According to the student’s family income, the institution will determine the maximum maintenance loan they can get.
Additionally, they can get additional loans if they meet the criteria for Universal Credits. Unexpected circumstances that lead to serious illness or disabilities of the students will also make them qualified for financial help.
What are the types of Emergency Funds for Students?
Different types of Student Hardship Funds are there to support various cases. Moreover, the emergency funds for students focus on bringing smiles to struggling students.
Some of the essential funds are hereunder:-
- Childcare Fund: These funds provide financial help to students below 18 years. They get the confidence to deal with unforeseen circumstances and financial distress.
- Housing Funds: These are excellent help from universities for students dealing with disabilities and lodging problems. They are related to immigration and housing purposes.
- Cost of Living Assistance: These programs are brilliant schemes to cover the overall living costs for the students. They acted as a blessing during the tough COVID-19 days.
How to apply for a Student Support Fund?
One of the critical emergency funds for students is the Student Support Fund. Like the hardship funds, these funds also act as saviours for students who do not have financial stability.
The Universities in the UK set aside different amounts to utilize them at suitable times. They arrange an “assessment of the needs” program to determine the students requiring financial help immediately.
You can also be a part of the said program by applying through the RISIS portal.
Here is the process in brief to apply for Emergency Funds for Students
Usually, these funds provide assistance, up to a maximum amount of £5,000, to financial backward students.
However, this amount can change per the university’s criteria and policies.
The application for the Student Support Fund is possible through the official website of the program under the control of respective institutions.
You can follow the steps below for a successful application.
- Visit the platform for the Student Support Fund of the concerned university. For e.g., Blackbullion in the case of Imperial College London.
- Secure access by setting up two-factor authentication. (this is not mandatory for all colleges or universities)
- Apply in the Funds section, and mention the details as asked (like student name, father’s name, occupation of guardian, family income, etc. )
- Complete the pathway for authentic confirmation of application
- Read the privacy notice first for a hassle-free application process
FAQs
How much is student hardship payment?
The Student Hardship Payments will help to cover the costs of the emergency expenses. As per the reports of 2020-21, the average funds under this scheme was around £826. However, some universities also offer higher amounts, reaching a maximum of £3000. Therefore, the payments vary per the university or college rules and policies. The amounts are generally limited to a certain range. You can get the funds within this specified range and not more than that.
What is the hardship fund for schools?
The student hardship funds for schools are formal assistance programs at the discretion of the school. They will grant the funds to financially backward students having a family income of below £25,000.
The requests will get approval for the following students:-
– Registered students for Free meals at schools
– Support students with disabilities
– Students requiring special medical attention or care
– Support for Students from Families of low-income brackets
If you are not registered for Free School meals, you need to get Proof of Benefit to qualify for the hardship fund benefits. Moreover, this fund will cover curriculum trips, emergency travel costs, cost of uniforms or sports kits (including shoes and socks).
Conclusion
Are you confused about how to pursue studies after managing the high cost of living in the UK?
The emergency funds of students can be your greatest support in such difficult times. Options like Student Hardship Fund or Student Support Fund can assist financially distressed students.
They support students coming from low-income backgrounds by covering living costs like rent, water or electric bills, course fees, medicines, etc. However, you will not get coverage for the tuition costs or any other activities for personal choices.
Therefore, if your family income is below the prescribed threshold, you can enjoy the benefits of the said funds for studying in some specific instructions of the UK.
Please learn about the eligibility criteria for the said programs before applying. The online sites will clarify everything in detail.
However, if any confusion exists, contact the officials of the concerned institutions and clear your doubts. You may ask about other student support schemes as well. The course directors
