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Access to Learning Fund - 2012/13

The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) provides discretionary financial assistance for students to help them access and remain in higher education, particularly those students who need financial help to meet costs that cannot be met from other sources of funding.

The Fund can help alleviate unexpected financial hardship and students who may be considering leaving higher education because of financial problems are particularly encouraged to apply. Students should be aware that ALF is intended to act as a safety net for those in financial difficulty rather than their main source of income.

Who can apply?

The Access to Learning Fund is for 'home students' registered on a course in one of the following categories:

Undergraduate students - either full or part time, including part time distance learners following a higher education course, including sandwich courses and any periods of placement.

Graduate students - either full or part time following a course of higher education at a level above first degree.

A 'home student' is defined as a person who meets certain residency conditions (the same conditions apply to eligibility for student support, for example, a student loan). Usually this means you must have an unrestricted right to enter and remain in the UK, and you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years prior to the start of the course. Please refer to the 'guidance notes' available to download below for more details on eligibility to apply.

OVERSEAS STUDENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SUPPORT

Additional ALF support funding

UK and EU, pre-2012, part-time undergraduates may apply for fee support through the Additional Fee Support Scheme (AFSS). Students interested in applying to the scheme should complete the following application form.

Please note that this is the only instance in which the Fund can be used to contribute towards the cost of tuition fees.

A childcare grant is available through ALF for part-time undergraduate students from low income backgrounds who do not receive (and neither do their partners) the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit or the NHS Childcare Grant.

How to Apply

UCL operates an open-ended scheme whereby applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Applications must be submitted, together with supporting documentary evidence, directly to the Student Funding Team, Room G19, UCL Student & Registry Services.

Please read the guidance notes before completing an application.

Guidance Notes

ALF Application Form 2012/13

Appeals

Any student who feels that they have reason to appeal against their ALF assessment should do so in writing to: Student Funding Manager, UCL Student & Registry Services, Room G19.

Students should state the grounds upon which they are appealing and provide additional evidence to support their appeal if applicable. Any appeal must be made within four weeks of the date of the original assessment notification email.

Please read the below guidance notes before submitting an appeal:

Appeal Guidance Notes

Financial Advice and Support

Should you find yourself in need of guidance regarding budgeting or advice on how to manage debt, contact one of the following:

Rights and Advice Centre, 1^st floor of the Bloomsbury Building, UCL Union, 020 7679 2507/2533, email address:uclu-rights.advice@ucl.ac.uk,

The National Debtline, 08088 084 000 (24 hour voicemail) www.nationaldebtline.co.uk or

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service: 0800 328 1813 (Mon to Fri 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) www.cccs.co.uk. 

For information regarding tax credits contact the Inland Revenue at www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/HomeNew.aspx  or www.direct.gov.uk or call the Tax Credits helpline on 0845 300 3900.

Page Editors : Student Funding