The Hardship Fund Summer Scheme for Undergraduates
This is part of our information on money matters covering potential sources of financial support.
The Hardship Fund Summer Scheme is intended to help undergraduate students who face financial difficulties during the summer vacation. The fund cannot help with tuition fee payments.
Financial assistance may be granted if students are living independently over the summer, possibly due to being a care leaver or estranged from their family. It can also help those who are from low-income backgrounds living in the parental home over the summer, students prevented from supporting themselves due to caring responsibilities or students who have other family, personal or health difficulties which make it necessary to stay in ºìÐÓÊÓƵ. It is expected that students will attempt to find paid work or other means of supporting themselves over the summer but should explain if they have reasonable grounds for not doing so.
Applications will be accepted from the end of summer term (mid-June) to mid-September and decisions/payments will be made within four weeks of receipt of a completed application. The application form and budget sheet will become available around mid-June – see More Resources.
- It is important to set out your specific circumstances over the summer.
- In general your term time student finance will not be treated as income during the summer vacation but, if eligible, you are expected to have borrowed a government maintenance loan during the previous academic year.
Receiving a decision
Completed applications will be assessed and a decision communicated usually within 28 days. A maximum of £2,500 can be received in any one academic year but the amount awarded depends on individual circumstances. If you have already received the maximum £2,500 amount, no further award will be paid.
If your application is successful, payments will be made to the bank account details held on the University’s records. Awards in excess of £1,000 will normally be paid in instalments. If you have any outstanding Emergency Hardship Loans, it is usual to deduct the loan from any award you received from the Fund.
How can the University support you?
We strongly recommend that you contact the Student Advice and Support Service (SASS) for feedback on your draft form and supporting documentation prior to formal submission. We can also advise you of your options if your application is unsuccessful.
You can book an appointment to do this by phoning +44 (0) 1509 222765 or by .
More resources
Information on other potential sources of financial assistance can be found below:
Last updated: 17th September 2026