Hardship Fund

Please read the full terms and conditions for your entry year before applying for a university fund. They contain important information about eligibility, evidence required, and the living costs you may be eligible to receive support for.

Hardship Fund terms and conditions 2025-26

Students who are experiencing financial difficulty but whose circumstances do not meet the eligibility criteria should not complete an application and should contact the Funding Team for advice, information and guidance.

The following students are NOT eligible for this fund:

• Students who do not fulfil the definitions and eligibility criteria detailed in the terms and conditions above.
• Students who didn’t have realistic provision for all course-related costs, living costs, and tuition fees before registering for their course and before their course start date.
• Students who have not experienced an unexpected, exceptional change in financial circumstances after registering for their course, after the course start date, and within the same academic year that they applying for the fund.
• Students whose financial difficulty is not short-term, and achievable and realistic plans to pay for all course-related costs, tuition fees, and living costs for the remainder of the academic year are not in place. The Hardship Fund should not be considered a primary source of funding.
• Students who have accessed all funding opportunities and other forms of income available to them, including employment and welfare benefits that they may be entitled to, and have not used any personal savings available.
• Students whose hardship is a result of high levels of non-essential expenditure associated with lifestyle choices, including sending funds to third parties that were intended to be used for University related costs, living costs and/or tuition fees.
• Students who provide misleading, plagiarised, false or fraudulent information or evidence or withhold evidence to access financial support from the Hardship Fund.
• Students applying for funds to cover a period of intermission that is not due to medical reasons.
• Students who are not in attendance, and on an assessment only programme.
• Students whose course is sponsored by an employer.
• Students who are on a distance learning programme.
• Students who are studying through a University of Essex Partner (e.g. Kaplan, University of Essex Online, Tavistock, etc.).
• Students on Higher/Degree Apprenticeship courses.
• Students who submit their application after the applicable Hardship Fund closing date.
• Students with a continuously low or very low record of engagement with their studies (as recorded via LEAP) will not normally be considered for an award. If you can provide evidence that your low or very low engagement is the result of your short-term financial difficulty, this will be considered before a decision is made.

All funding applications must be submitted via the Funding Enquiry Form. Please see the instructions below:

• Read the terms and conditions above and check that you meet the eligibility criteria before submitting an enquiry.
• Complete the Funding Enquiry Form and provide a brief explanation of your unexpected change in circumstances and how this has affected your financial situation.
• Submit the Funding Enquiry Form. A member of the Financial Support Team will review your enquiry and contact you if further information is required.
• If your enquiry appears eligible for consideration, an assessor will contact you to request supporting evidence and any additional information needed to assess your application.
• Provide the requested evidence by the deadline given by the assessor. This may include bank statements, proof of income, or documentation relating to your change in circumstances.
• Once all required information and evidence have been received, your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome.
  
   

Who can apply for the Hardship Fund?

• Registered undergraduate or postgraduate students at the University of Essex.
• You must meet the eligibility criteria and be fully engaged with your studies.

What costs can the fund help with?

• The fund supports essential living costs only, such as:
• Food and household bills
• Travel for study purposes
• Accommodation (rent or mortgage)
• Childcare (OFSTED registered)
• Community and wellbeing activities (e.g., clubs, gym)Digital equipment (e.g. laptop)
• Additional costs for low-income undergraduate Home students (e.g., course materials, medical certificates)

How much can I receive?

The Hardship Fund is awarded on a case-by-case basis based on individual need and evidence.

• Full-time students: up to £1,500 per academic year
• Part-time students: up to £750 per academic year

In addition to the maximum awards above:

• Childcare: up to £750 per child (maximum of 3 children)
• Digital equipment: up to £400
• Enhanced funding: up to £500 for eligible low-income undergraduate Home students

Can the fund cover tuition fees?

How do I apply?

• Go to Funds → Hardship Fund.
• Complete the form, upload evidence, and submit.
• Need help? Contact the Funding Team at askthehub@essex.ac.uk.

How will I receive the payment?

• Payment may be made as:
• Cash, credit or supermarket vouchers via Essex Aspire (usually processed within 48 hours)
• Direct payment to landlord or childcare provider