General Information about Financial Support 2012-13
From 10 June 2013 - 31 August 2013 please email financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk for details of Financial Support during the vacation period.
1. THE ASSESSMENT
The financial support application form may seem like a laborious task to complete. We ask for various pieces of information so that we understand your circumstances better and to comply with the requirements of our auditors. Applications are available in paper or on-line format and we follow a standard assessment procedure, prescribed by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The assessment focuses on identifying the level of 'additional need' by comparing income and essential expenditure. A “non standard” assessment may be applied in extraordinary cases.
Awards are only ever a contribution to costs and will not necessarily cover all your additional financial needs.
Students who have dependent children/adults, a disability or exceptional circumstances are encouraged to apply for Financial Support from the University.
Vulnerable students facing exceptional hardship will remain a priority.
2. ACCESS TO LEARNING FUND (ALF) – UK Students Only
Official guidance is available on line: DirectGov
The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is a sum of money given to the University by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), to allocate to UK students with additional financial needs.
Eligibility To qualify, you must firstly meet all the following criteria:
• You must be registered on a higher education, undergraduate or postgraduate course;
• If eligible, Undergraduate students must have requested the maximum Student Loan and Maintenance Grant to which you are entitled and have received your first instalment. Both new and continuing students can apply to the Fund for awards to cover study costs, childcare costs and in some cases, travel costs.
• Postgraduate students should have made realistic provision to fund both their tuition fees and living costs in the first instance. If you applied for a Professional & Career Development Loan which was rejected then you can apply for financial support.
However, please be aware the fund cannot be used to meet the cost of tuition fees, it can be used to support living cost by up to a maximum of £3000 in extreme cases.
3. PART TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
• If your fee is in excess of the fee grant available from Student Finance England, you may qualify for additional help from the Additional Fee Support Scheme (AFSS) to cover the shortfall. This is providing you receive the full support package from Student Finance England.
• Both new and continuing students can apply to the Access to Learning Fund for awards to cover extra childcare costs and, in some cases, travel costs.
4. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International Students can apply for Financial Support from the University, however, students must be aware that these funds are limited and cannot be awarded to cover the cost of tuition fees. Applications can be made if you are experiencing difficulties due to an unforeseeable change in circumstances.
Prior to accepting a place on a course it is a requirement of your registration with the University that students have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses for themselves and any dependants for the full duration of the course, including writing up periods. NB: The assessment process will assume that students have such funds.
Making an Application:
1. Complete either the paper or on-line application and make sure you answer all the relevant questions fully.
2. Supply copies of the documentation requested on the application form.
3. Return your completed paper form and all supporting documentation to the Student Services Information Desk in the Union of Students building, by 4.30pm or if you completed the on-line form email your evidence as attachments to financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk.
4. Your eligibility for funds will then be assessed, in cases where more information is needed before a decision can be made you may be called for an interview.
5. Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified by email to their University account normally within 15 working days of receipt of a complete application. A letter can be provided if requested.
6. Applications will be accepted up until 4.30pm Friday 7 June 2013
7. Students who are continuing their studies over the summer period (June through to August 2013) should email financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk for guidance on applying for financial support.
8. Students who are in receipt of a University Bursary or Scholarship are still eligible to apply to the Access to Learning Fund.
9. Undergraduate Students who have been refused a Student Loan because they have a previous Degree should email financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk for information in the first instance.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED
The University will only normally consider one financial support application in each academic year (i.e. September to August inclusive). However, if you can provide evidence to show that your circumstances have changed, a further application will be considered.
If you have difficulty completing a form or need to discuss your financial situation with someone, please see an advisor in the Student Advice Centre in the Union of Students Building.
What other financial support is available?
Advisors in the Student Advice Centre can provide overall financial advice and can advise on eligibility for benefits.