Financial Hardship

Student Financial Support

Student Financial Support administer a number of funds that have been created to assist with easing student financial hardship. Please see the Extra Support section of the Student Funding website for further details.

In addition to the above, the following funds may also be helpful:

Churches' Commission for International Students Hardship Fund

This fund was set up in 1990 to assist full-time international students who are already in the UK and are facing unexpected financial problems during the final stages of their course.

Awards are made to students from developing countries who intend to return home after their current course and who can show that their qualification will benefit such countries. Awards are typically £500 but do not exceed £800 and are made to applicants undertaking a full-time first degree or postgraduate studies lasting a minimum of one academic year. The same person is not funded twice.

Awards are made to students who are within 6 months of finishing and can show that their financial problems are unexpected and that a small grant will enable them to complete their studies.

Decisions are made three times a year, in February (for studies finishing April-July), June (for August-November), and October (for December-March).

Candidates who think they may be eligible should write to David Philpot, Grants Secretary, CCIS Hardship Fund, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN.

Emergency Grants from the British Federation of Women Graduates

This foundation aims to help women graduates (UK and overseas) who are studying in the UK by offering grants to help with living costs. They offer a small number of awards including emergency grants. These are one off payments intended to help cover an unexpected financial crisis affecting the completion of an academic year's work. Applicants must show that they had made realistic provision for their year's study but now face an unforeseeable financial crisis. No grant is likely to exceed £1000.

Further details are available at www.ffwg.org.uk.

Application forms available by emailing jean.c@blueyonder.co.uk explaining the nature of the emergency.