Applications are now open for the 2022/32 Hardship Fund from Leeds Beckett University. The Hardship Fund is there to provide additional financial support that will help students with essential costs that may be exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Students can access the fund to help them combat rising living costs and manage things like increased utility bills, transportation costs, or even daily essentials like groceries that may have become unaffordable.  

Eligible students may apply to receive an award from the fund, usually in the form of a non-repayable grant. These grants cannot cover the cost of tuition fees, fees for exam resits, or any payments towards study abroad.  

Students can apply here on the University website.  

Am I eligible?  

The Hardship Fund is open to all students enrolled on a full-time or part-time course at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including distance learners.  

Students who have temporarily withdrawn from the course with the intention of returning, for example on a leave of absence, are also eligible to apply.  

How will my application be assessed?   

In order to calculate the amount of an award, the University will use a formula that compares a student’s income with their essential expenditure in order to judge how much additional support a student may need.  

Certain groups of students may qualify for prioritization, including students with children, carers, disabled students, care leavers, students estranged from their family, and students receiving the final year (reduced) Government Student Loan rate.  

If a student is ineligible for a standard award from the fund, they may still qualify for a non-standard award in exceptional circumstances. These would be decided on a case-by-case basis.  

Pregnant students are eligible to apply to the Hardship Fund in the usual way, however students who are expecting their first child are also eligible to be awarded a non-standard grant payment of £500.  

What do I need to apply?  

To apply for the fund, students will need to submit appropriate supporting evidence – this could be in the form of scans or screenshots of your documents. However, without proper documentation, the team may be unable to assess your application.  

If you need to submit evidence after the date you would like to submit your application, please make it clear in your supporting statement that this is the case. However, you need to submit your evidence within two weeks for it to be considered.  

Additional support  

If you have any questions or are having a hard time with the application, you can get in touch with the Student Money Team via email at studentmoney@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.  

For general financial advice, you can also contact our Advice Service at Leeds Beckett Students’ Union for free, confidential and independent advice from student finance to rent arrears and more! You can contact them via our website.