Fees & funding
     

Access to learning fund

This fund is money which is available to help students who face financial problems during their course.

The type of funding available depends on your circumstances.

Eligibility

Tips for budgeting
  • plan your budget and break it down into weekly figures
  • keep a record of everything you spend
  • if you do not already have one open a student bank account
  • set up standing orders/direct debits for regular payments
  • join the Students’ Union to take advantage of the discounts available
  • if you live in shared property make sure yours is not the only name on utility bills
  • if you are struggling don’t be afraid to seek advice.
  • you must be a student at the University to apply. Students who attend one of our partnership colleges can also apply.
  • if you are entitled to a student loan you must have applied for the maximum amount you can get
  • you must be a ‘home student’ – eligible for Student Support funding
  • you must have applied for all the financial support you are entitled to
  • you must be able to show that you have a financial need.

You are not Eligible to apply to the Fund if:

  • you are from the European Union and only get a tuition fees loan
  • you are an international student.

Part-time students

If you are studying part-time on an undergraduate degree, HND or postgraduate programme you can apply to the Access to Learning Fund. You must be studying on a course that will last no longer than twice the time an equivalent full-time course would last.

Postgraduate students

If you are a postgraduate student you can apply to the Access to Learning Fund. You will be expected to have made reasonable provision to meet the cost of any tuition fees, as well as general living costs, whilst on the programme.

Types of help

More information

To find out more about the Access to Learning Fund contact the Student Funding Team.
T: 01642 342286
E: sfo@tees.ac.uk

The Access to Learning Fund operates in two separate ways – grants for living costs and special requests.

Grants for living costs - all applicants must complete a grants for living costs application form. It must be completed in full and all supporting documents must be provided. The form allows us to look at your financial situation for the whole academic year.

You can apply for assistance with your day-to-day expenditure. We expect you to have taken steps to keep your expenditure at a reasonable level, but you do not have to run out of money before you can apply. The fund cannot support all students and it should not be assumed that because you have high expenditure you will get an award.

Special requests - if you have an emergency or have special circumstances we will look at these on an individual basis. You will need to complete a special request form as well as a grants for living costs form.

Special request awards are paid within two weeks of agreement and can be made in one lump sum or in instalments. They are designed for unexpected costs such as mortgage/rent arrears or travelling to hospital.

How to apply

To apply to the Access to Learning Fund you must complete an application form, which are available from the information desk in the Student Centre or the Students’ Union Advice Centre.

There are separate application forms for:

If you are not sure how to detail your circumstances, you can make an appointment with a Financial Advisor by contacting Student Services on 01642 342277, email studentfinance@tees.ac.uk.