Access to Learning Fund
The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is a source of help for students who need extra support because of higher than expected costs or unforeseen financial difficulties. You can get help to meet course related costs, travel expenses, childcare costs or general living costs such as rent. The Access to Learning Fund may not be used to pay fees. If you qualify for a payment from the fund it will not usually need to be repaid.
Who can apply for the Access to Learning Fund?
You must be classified as a Home status student for the purposes of fees. Normally this would would mean that you have been a UK resident for at least the last three years prior to starting your course.
Full time undergraduate students (including foundation year) will need to show they have applied for the maximum student support available from Student Finance England. You must have received your first instalment of the maintenance loan and/or grant before you can apply.
Part time undergraduate students must be studying at least 60 credits in 2011/12. you must have applied for the Tuition Fee Grant from Student Finance England.
Postgraduate students will need to have applied for the full £10,000 Professional and Career Development Loan or similar graduate study loan. If you apply and are rejected you will need to provide evidence of this.You will be expected to show that you made adequate provision for your fees and living costs before starting the course. Part time postgraduates must be studying at least 50% of the full time equivalent course.
Awards
An award can be anywhere between £100 and £3,000 for the 2011/12 academic year. The exact amount of award will be determined by the University depending on the level of hardship demonstrated by you, but bear in mind that demand always exceeds the amount of money available, so awards might not cover all your needs and applications may be refused. Please do not assume Access to Learning Funds as part of your budget until you are certain that you will be made an award.
When you should apply
You can apply for assistance from the Access to Learning Fund at any point in the academic year up to 5pm on Friday 1 June. The University will aim to get a written decision to you within six weeks. However at busy times of year this may not always be possible.
Supporting Evidence
Applicants must submit a completed application form along with supporting documentation, such as evidence of your funding from Student Finance England, cost of accommodation, bank/building society statements, travel expenses, study costs and any childcare costs to the Student Funding Office. Please ensure you read the full guidance notes issued with the form for a detailed list of requested evidence. Successful applicants will get a bonus to their award if all the necessary information is supplied with the first submission. If the office does have to request extra documentation, your assessment will be delayed. Further information and application forms are available from the Student Funding Office, the Student Advice Service or from your School Office.
Please read the guidance notes carefully before submitting your application. Missing information will delay your application and may lead to it being rejected entirely.
You can download the application form here:
Access to Learning Fund Application Form
You can get further advice from:
Student Funding
First Floor, 101 New Cavendish Street
London W1W 6XH
Tel. +44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 5716
Email: studentfunding@westminster.ac.uk
