About the fund

The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) provides discretionary financial assistance to students in financial difficulty. The primary purpose of the Fund is to relieve financial hardship that might impact on a student's participation in higher education. Particularly those students who need financial help to meet extra costs that cannot be met from other sources of support.

Students who may be considering leaving higher education because of financial problems are particularly encouraged to apply. Any help awarded from the Fund is usually non-repayable. Students can apply to the Fund at any point throughout the academic year.

Please Note: Students who have already received an award from the Access to Learning Fund (ALF) for Term 1 do not need to submit a further application during the 2025 / 2026 academic year in order to receive their Term 2 & 3 payments. Students who are eligible to receive a payment from ALF in Term 2 should receive email confirmation of the payment date by Friday 13 February 2026.

Eligibility criteria

This fund is only available to people in the categories listed below. Please do not apply if you are not in one of these.