Access to Learning Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can apply to the Access to Learning Fund?
2. How do I make an application?
4. Can I apply more than once?
5. How do I complete the form?
6. When will I know a decision on my application?
8. I am a part-time student. Can you help with my childcare costs?
10. Where can I get more information?
1. Who can apply to the Access to Learning Fund?
If you are registered on a Higher Education course and meet the residency criteria you will be eligibe.
A quick indication of whether you are eligible is if you receive the student loan. The eligibility criteria are the same, sp if you have been awarded a student loan, you will be eligible to apply to ALF.
Full-time undergraduates: you must have applied for, and received the first instalment of, either the student loan or NHS Bursary (or both). You must have accepted the full amount that you are entitled to.
Full-time postgraduates: you will need to show that you had enough funds or income at the start of the course to provide for all of your fees and living costs.
Part time students: you must be studying at a rate that means you will complete the course in no more than twice the time it would take to complete an equivalent full time course. This usually means you need to be studying at an average rate of 60 credits per year. If you are disabled you need to be studying at an average 30 credits per year, or four times the length of a full-time course.
If you are studying less intensively for other reasons, you may be eligible for Taster Module Support (see below for more details) If you are not sure about your eligibility please contact Financial Aid for help.
2. How do I make an application?
The first thing to do is to pick up an application form from the Student Services Centre, where one of the team will talk you through the application procedure.
Once you have the form there is a quick guide to completing it on the front cover. This outlines some of the paperwork you will need to submit with your application, however please refer to the checklist on page seven as well.
Once you have completed you application just return the form along with yours supporting documents to the counter of the Student Service Centre. Of course,if you have questions about you application just contact Financial Aid.
You can apply during your academic year, and if you are eligible for a student loan, once you have received your first loan instalment. Applications must be made (and be complete with all necessary evidence) by the last day of your personal academic year (this is 15th June 2012 for most students) or 24th July 2012, whichever is earlier.
If your course has a summer vacation (i.e. most full time undergraduates) you will not usually be considered for help during this period unless you are in one of the following categories:
- You have dependent children (you should already have applied for all available benefits)
- You are unable to work because of illness
- You are unable to work due to a disability (you should already have applied for all available benefits)
- You are re-taking or re-sitting elements of your course
4. Can I apply more than once?
You cannot normally submit a second application during the same academic year unless there is a significant change in your financial circumstances.
5. How do I complete the form?
The application form has a quick guide and a range of useful information about how to complete it. However you can also use this step-by-step guides at the bottom of the page.
6. When will I know a decision on my application?
We guarantee that a decision will be made within four working weeks from the date that your application is complete. However, Financial Aid staff should be able to give you a more realistic estimate of how long the application process will take when you hand in your application form.
Remember it is possible that when your application is assessed further information and evidence may be required. If this is the case we will contact you at you university email address, so keep checking to make sure your assessment isn't delayed.
The vast majority of awards from ALF are non-repayable, however in some circumstances we may be able to provide loans to bridge gaps in your statutory funding. However, loans are not common and are dependent on your individual circumstances.
8. I am a part-time student. Can you help with my childcare costs?
You may be eligible for a Childcare Grant of between £250 and £750 to contibute towards your registered or approved childcare costs. You should use the ALF application form to apply, but before you do you should ensure that you fulfill all the eligibility criteria.
If you are applying to the ALF and are also eligible for the Part Time Childcare Grant then you will be assessed for both using information on the one form. In this case you must complete all parts of the application form.
If you wish to apply only for the Childcare Grant please tick the box at Part 1.5 of the form. You need not complete parts 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the application form, and need only supply evidence of the following:
- entitlement to receive at least the minimum of £805 fee support or the amount charged by the University and £260 grant (or NHS Financial Notification for NHS funded students)
- registered childcare costs
- current Tax Credit Notification
- child’s registered special needs (where applicable)
9. I've never studied at University before, but want to study without committing to a full degree. Is there any help available?
If this is your first taste of higher education ALF may be able to help cover your tuition fees (up to £548), and an also pay additional £90 or costs associated with your course.
If you’re eligible (see below) you can pick an application form from the Student Services Centre, and return the completed form with all the relevant documentation to Financial Aid, Student Services Centre.
Check to see if you’re eligible
10. Where can I get more information?
You can download detailed information on how to apply, and how your application will be assessed. Just select the category that applies to you below.
| Undergraduates | Postgraduates |
| Full-time undergraduate student | Full-time |
| Full-time undegraduate with NHS funding | Part-time |
| Part-time undergraduate |