Student Support Fund

Only 'Home' students can apply to the Fund, i.e. those students who satisfy the residency criteria to receive Student Support (loans and grants) from the UK Government's Student Finance system.

You can apply to the Fund whether you are studying either an undergraduate or postgraduate course, and either full-time or part-time. Priority groups of students are:

• students with children;
• students receiving the final year rate of loan;
• students unable to work due to illness or disability.

You can make one application to the fund per academic year. You must be registered and in attendance for the academic year you are applying for, and have applied for maximum statutory support available to you (e.g. Student Finance).

Should you experience further financial hardship during the academic year following submisson of an application form, or your situation changes, you are advised to make an appointment with our Student Financial Guidance Team to discuss your situation. 

For full-time students, help can be given for:

• higher than expected costs
• unexpected costs (through an unforeseen change in circumstances perhaps) or serious financial problems for other reasons

For full-time applicants, awards are made on an 'additional need' basis using an assessment process common to all applicants. Any award that a successful applicant receives will be paid in the form of a grant, NOT a loan, which means that it does not have to be paid back to the University.

You can download the application form here - UHF Application Form (Full Time) - and the guidance notes to help you complete for the form here - NEW UHF Guidelines

When applying for the University Hardship Fund, please scan/email your application and evidence to our central email address: studentsupportfund@sunderland.ac.uk.

Please note: Applications are currently taking up to 4 weeks to process. However, should you have any general worries or concerns about your finances, or find yourself in immediate financial hardship (e.g. you have no access to food/immediate funds), please contact our Student Financial Guidance Team. 

For part-time students help can be given for:

• course related costs (this is a contribution only)

Any award that a successful applicant receives will be paid in the form of a grant, NOT a loan, which means that it does not have to be paid back to the University.

You can download the application form here - UHF PART TIME APPLICATION  

When applying for the University Hardship Fund, please scan/email your application and evidence to our central email address: studentsupportfund@sunderland.ac.uk.

Please note: Applications are currently taking up to 4 weeks to process. However, should you have any general worries or concerns about your finances, or find yourself in immediate financial hardship (e.g. you have no access to food/immediate funds), please contact our Student Financial Guidance Team. 

If you are awarded a grant from the University Hardship Fund, it will be paid directly into your bank account. This will be explained on your decision letter/email.

You will need to ensure that your bank details are correctly entered into your E-vision account on MySunderland, as this is the account that will be used for payment. The University can only pay into a UK bank account.

Please note:  Appeals will only be accepted in cases where the maximum award has not been paid. Please refer to your decision letter/email.

If you wish to appeal you must do so in writing only, within 10 working days of the date of the University’s email. Your appeal should identify additional grounds for financial assistance to those made in your original application and supported by documentary evidence where possible.  You will need to supply an up-to-date bank statement for all accounts held (or an online bank statement) for both you and your partner (if applicable) and provide evidence of your bank overdraft limit.

You can email your appeal to: studentsupportfund@sunderland.ac.uk .