Aberystwyth University Hardship Fund
Am I eligible for the fund?
The University’s Hardship Fund is open to all home, EU and international students successfully progressing at a minimum of 50% (60 credits) on a full-time degree course in Aberystwyth. If you are studying less than this you would be expected to have more available time to find employment. If you are a Postgraduate student you are eligible to apply up to 12 months after your registration period. The Fund is not open to you if you are studying on a distance learning course or YES Placement or to students studying at our Mauritius Branch Campus.
What sort of circumstances does the University’s Hardship Fund help with?
You may receive help in the following circumstances:
- Hardship arising from genuine, unforeseen or unexpected circumstances for which you have not been able to plan
- Financial difficulties resulting from a genuine shortfall of income and essential expenditure
- Short term financial hardship. For example, delays with Student Finance
- Assistance with covering the cost of your study needs report.
Applying for the University’s Hardship Fund
- You can complete an online application form here
- You may be asked to meet with a University Student Services Student Adviser to discuss your application. This meeting will be informal and will provide you with an opportunity to discuss your individual circumstances in detail.
- Make sure that your bank details are up to date on your student record otherwise they will not be able to pay you an award.
- Ensure all relevant supporting evidence has been uploaded with your application. A Student Adviser will be in touch if anything is missing but this can delay the process.
I have submitted my application form. What happens next?
Your application will be assessed against the fund’s guidelines. Awards from the fund are means-tested. The University calculates your income and compares it to your essential expenditure to see if there is a shortfall. A set amount is applied for general living costs to cover food, gas, electricity, water bills, contents insurance, TV license, clothes and telephone. This amount may increase if you have children. They also consider your housing and travel costs.
If you wish to find out further information on how your application has been assessed please make an appointment to discuss this with a Student Adviser from The University’s Student Advice, Information and Money Service within Student Support.
You will be notified of the outcome of your application via email within 10 working days and any award will be paid within a further 5 working days.
How will payments be made?
Most payments will be made directly into your UK bank account. Please ensure that your bank account details are up to date on your Student Record. The University are unable to make payments unless your bank details are up to date.
Once a decision has been made the University will endeavour to make payments as soon as possible. Awards should take no longer than 15 working days to be processed. In very exceptional cases emergency payments may be considered. During times where the University is closed or there is heavy demand there may be delays.
Please note, payments may be made in instalments.
Support
If you have any specific questions or need further support with your application we advise you contact The University’s Advice and Money Service which provides information, advice, support and referral on a wide range of issues specialising in finance.
You can send your questions via email, the email address for the Advice and Money Service is: student-adviser@aber.ac.uk or Telephone: 01970 621761/622087. Alternatively, you can book an appointment slot with a student adviser. Access their on-line portal https://aims.aber.ac.uk/ and use the Book tab to choose an appointment slot.
First Produced: April 2022
Reviewed: October 2023