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► The Access to Learning Fund (ALF)
The Access to Learning Fund (ALF)
The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is a University administered source of funds that Home students can apply for if they are facing serious financial difficulty. If a student qualifies for funding from the to access Learning Fund then it will usually be none repayable.
('Home student' means that the student must have an unrestricted right to enter and remain in the UK, and must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years prior to the start of the course - Overseas and EU students cannot apply.)
The Access to Learning Fund can be used for course-related costs such as childcare, books and equipment etc, or for general living costs. Home students can apply for the Access to Learning Fund if they:
· are facing serious financial problems because you or your family have a low household
· income.
· have additional costs as a lone parent.
· are a care leaver or you have been previously homeless or lived in a Foyer.
· have experienced an unexpected financial crisis.
· have exhausted all other sources of funding, i.e. student loans, an interest-free overdraft and are still facing serious financial difficulty.
· are considering leaving Higher Education because of financial difficulties.
Who qualifies and can apply for the Access to Learning Fund?
Who can apply?
· Undergraduates in receipt of loans/grants, or an NHS Bursary.
· Postgraduate students studying a course at a level above first degree.
· Part-time students studying at least 50% of an equivalent full-time course, except disabled students who may apply if studying at least 25%.
In order to apply a student must fulfil the following criteria:
· They must have applied for your full entitlement of student maintenance loan (if applicable) and received their first installment
· They must have applied for their full entitlement of tuition fee loan (if applicable)
· The must meet the residence requirements (the application form gives details about these)
* All awards are dependent upon satisfactory attendance and continuing registration
Full-time Undergraduate and PGCE Students
These students should apply for their full entitlement of student funding. Unfortunately, ALF cannot help to pay for tuition fees. These students should apply for a tuition fee loan if they have not already done so. However, they may be entitled to an award from ALF towards living costs, particularly where there are exceptional circumstances.
Part-time Undergraduate Students
These students should apply for a course grant and a fee grant. If there is a shortfall between their course grant and your course fees, then the fund may be able to help with these costs (through the Additional Fee
Support Scheme [AFSS]). These students can also apply for a part-time childcare grant if they pay for registered/approved childcare for children under 15 years old.
Full or Part-time Postgraduate Students
Unfortunately, the fund cannot help these students to pay tuition fees. However, if they are facing serious financial difficulty, then the fund may be able to help with some costs. These students will have to prove that they can pay their tuition fees and have made provision to support themselves before the University will consider an application to ALF.
Students studying an equivalent or lower qualification or with previous HE study
The government guidelines ask the University to give priority to students studying their first HE qualification. If a student has periods of previous study, even if they did not achieve an honours qualification, then there is an expectation that they should have made provision to support themselves financially on their course.
Disabled Students
If a student has a specific learning difficulty they can apply for help towards the cost of their diagnostic test.
Intercalating Students
If a ‘home’ student has not permanently withdrawn from their studies and has taken a period of intercalation then they are eligible to apply for help from ALF.
Priority Groups for assistance
When deciding how to allocate the Access to Learning Fund, the Government asks the University to prioritise a number of students:
· Students with children (especially lone parents).
· Adult returners, particularly those with pre-existing financial commitments.
· Those from low income families.
· Students with a disability/specific learning difficulty (especially where the DSA is insufficient).
· Students who are leaving care, from Foyers or who were homeless.
· Students in their final year.
· Students who can prove exceptional circumstances
If students think that they might need help from the Access to Learning Fund then they should not wait until they have run out of money as it may take 4 working weeks for students to receive any money that they might receive (unless they are entitled to an emergency payment/loan).
How do students apply?
Students can apply for the Access to Learning Fund by completing an application form and sending to LISS on your campus.
The application can also be found online on the University website and students may email their completed application. Students wishing to email an application must print the pages requiring signatures and submit them with their supporting documents
Students must provide all supporting documentation with their application.
How are applications assessed?
When deciding whether they can make a payment, the University take into account:
· a Students expected income and “reasonable” expenditure
· Any financial “emergency” or exceptional circumstances
· The student's partner’s income and some expenditure (if applicable)
· The contribution that Parents make to living costs
Also the University will:
· Consider each application on an individual basis
· Disregard some income
· Disregard any non-means tested benefits which are specific e.g. Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance
· Use an “assumed income” rather than actual earnings for full-time students
· Write to students to inform them of the decision and will give an explanation of unsuccessful applications on request
· Interview some applicants
· Write to students to inform them of the decision and will give an explanation of unsuccessful applications on request
· Interview some applicants
* Students can also make a repeat application up to two times a year, if their circumstances change, using a Change of Circumstances form available from LISS.
Can students appeal against the decision?
Students can appeal against the decision if they are not satisfied. Information about how to appeal is included in the letter that students receive about the result of their application.
How quickly will students get a payment if they are successful?
If students are successful then they should receive a payment within 4 working weeks, although this may vary depending on when they apply.
If an application is incomplete, or does not contain all necessary supporting documentation it will take longer and the University may need to contact students for further information/evidence.
If students need an emergency payment or a short-term loan then they will normally get a payment within one working week or within 24 hours depending on their situation.
* Awards are made subject to available funds. The minimum award is £100nand if you are awarded more than £500 it will be paid in installments
Short-term loans
If a student's student loan payment, NHS bursary or TDA bursary is delayed, then they may be able to apply for an interim loan from ALF. Students will need to explore all other sources of income first, e.g. interest-free overdraft, as this fund is limited.
* Students will have to repay this loan when your first student loan/bursary installment arrives.
Students who want to apply for a short term loan need to complete an Emergency Short Term Loan Form which can be obtained from LISS at their campus.
Closing date for ALF applications:
31 MAY 2010 for continuing students
30 APRIL 2010 for final year students
31 JULY 2010 for DIPHE Nursing students.
* Students may still submit an application after this date if they are facing an unexpected financial crisis or they are applying for the summer vacation period because they are a lone parent/unable to find employment due to a disability or ill health.
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