If you are currently in financial difficulties it is recommended that you contact a Student Advice Worker in Technopark (ground floor) or ring 0207 815 6407 who will be able to talk through all available funding options with you.
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The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is Government funding distributed by the University to students in financial difficulty. This fund is limited and therefore must be targeted at specific groups of students, and smaller amounts awarded so that some help reaches more people.
The aim of the Fund is to provide an additional source of financial support to students in hardship who may need extra help to access and remain in higher education. This fund should not be seen as a main source of financial support.
If you qualify for a payment from the Fund it will not usually have to be repaid.
The Fund cannot help you pay your tuition fees. Any amount you are awarded will be towards your living costs and some specific course costs. If you are having problems paying your fees please speak to a Student Advice Worker in Technopark to discuss your options.
The Fund is open to full-time and part-time undergraduates (including PGCE students) and postgraduates provided they meet the above criteria. Part-time applicants must be studying at least half of the equivalent full-time course or courses that are equivalent to at least 60 credits per academic year.
* Students who are currently interupting their studies due to illness or pregnancy can apply as long as they have enrolled in the current academic year.
You can apply once each academic year for help from the Access to Learning Fund. If you think you might need to apply for help from the Fund please do not wait until the end of the academic year or until you have run out of money. Applications are quite slow to process and are assessed on a first-come-first-served basis which means that the fund will close when the money runs out – the fund often runs out before the published closing date.
The Access to Learning Fund opened at 10am on 17th October 2011. It officially closed at 4pm on 15th March 2012 for all returning students, and first year students whose courses start between September and February. It closes at 4pm on 14th June 2012 for the new March 2012 intake (first year students whose courses started in March 2012).
Please read the 'Definitive Guide' for a complete description of the Access to Learning Fund and the completion notes on 'How to Complete the application form'.
When completed the form must be returned, along with any supporting documents, to the Student Advice Administrator in Technopark, or Tim Dixon in Room G48 for Students at the Havering Campus. Please can you ensure that you photocopy any supporting documents before submitting the form as we cannot accept original documents (and we cannot photocopy documents for you).
Funding Guide for LSBU Students
The SA&CG guide to student finance. What’s available and how and when to apply, pick up a copy from Technopark or Havering Campus.
Procedure for Student Application to LSBU Access to Learning Fund
The process of applying to the Access to Learning Fund can be seen here pdf document.
