Short Term Emergency Financial Assistance

The purpose of Short Term Emergency Financial Assistance (also known as a Short Term Loan) is to help alleviate a delay in funding or an unexpected emergency. It is NOT intended to cover a shortfall in your funds.

Generally, an unexpected emergency is an unforeseen and unavoidable combination of circumstances that creates short term financial difficulties.

It may be that a Short Term Loan is not the best option for you. You may wish to see the information links on the right hand side of this page for the Access to Learning Fund or Make Your Money Matter.

You can apply for Short Term Emergency Financial Assistance if all the following apply to you:

1. You are experiencing a delay in official funding OR an unexpected emergency
2. You are a fully registered student
3. You have exhausted all your existing funds such as loans, bank accounts, etc.
4. You have already approached other sources of funding: banks, parents, etc.
5. You will be able to repay the loan in a few weeks time
6. You have not already had a short term loan in this academic year
7. You are able to provide relevant evidence to support your application
   

How much can I borrow?

The maximum amount available to borrow at any one time is £250.

When do I have to pay the loan back?

You will be asked to leave us a cheque or credit/debit details and payment will usually be taken after four weeks.

How do I apply?

1. Make an appointment to see a Senior Information Assistant at the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD) in the Union of Students Building (usually later that day or the following morning).

• You will be asked some basic questions about the delay in funding / unexpected emergency.
• You will be asked to fill in an application form and return it to the front desk.
• You will be given an appoinment card.

2. Collect together all relevant documentation/materials you may need for the meeting such as:

• Bank statement, ATM mini-bank statement., etc.
  
• Documentary evidence that supports your application e.g. bills, wage slips, letters, etc.
• Means of arranging post-dated repayment of the loan: cheque book, credit/debt card.

3. Attend the meeting at the time on your appointment card where:

1. You will be asked some questions about your delay in funding/unexpected emergency.
2. You may be asked to provide further information or evidence to support your application.
3. Your eligibility to apply for the loan will be assessed.
4. You may need to negotiate and justify the loan amount and repayment dates.

When will I get a decision about the loan?

A decision can be made on the same day if you have provided all the relevant information.

If you cannot make the repayment on the date agreed you must immediately inform the Student Services Information Desk on one of the telephone numbers below.

(0114) 222 1299
(0114) 222 1276
(0114) 222 1328