Government Access to Learning Fund (ALF)

Access to Learning Fund (ALF) awards are for students who need help with their course and/or living costs e.g. essential books, photocopying, childcare (although for this, the fund is normally reserved for single parents), the cost of an essential field trip or help with travel to and from the University.

Awards are normally made for part-time students who have already received the Government course grant. Part-time undergraduates can apply for help towards course costs only. Full-time undergraduate students can apply for additional help towards course and/or living costs that are not already covered by other forms of financial support (students are expected to have applied for any student loans, grants and bursaries they are entitled to before applying for help from ALF).

The percentage of any award made will be scaled based on income from the previous tax year and will take into consideration any course grant received from the government. Please see the table below for the standard income bandings:

Money from the Access to Learning Fund is paid on top of the standard student finance package, it’s not meant as a substitute for it. However, please note that caps are in place and you may not receive everything you apply for. Awards are intended to help towards your costs and will not necessarily cover them in full.

Priority funding groups (single parents, mature students with existing debts, disabled students, care leavers, homeless or foyer students, students from low income families) will be given priority consideration for ALF funding.

Find out:

• if you are eligible
• if you meet the residence requirements
• how and when to apply