Background
Students are expected to ensure that they have sufficient funds to meet the cost of their tuition fees and living expenses before starting their courses but we recognise that circumstances may change and that things may prove more expensive than anticipated. The UEA Hardship Fund is to help students who are not eligible to apply for help from the Government-funded Access to Learning Fund to help meet their living expenses.
You can apply to the Fund at any point throughout the academic year including the long vacation and any help you receive from the Fund is usually non repayable. Second applications will not normally be accepted unless your circumstances have changed.
Please note that the UEA Hardship Fund cannot help with tuition fees.
Who can Apply?
The UEA Hardship Fund is for students who are not eligible to apply to the Access to Learning Fund. This mainly means students who have been assessed as EU or overseas for fees purposes. Students who have been rated as home by the University but whose applications for UK student support have been refused are also eligible. Both undergraduates and postgraduates may apply, including those who are writing up.
Part-time students who started their courses before 1 September 2012 may apply if they are studying at least 50% of a full time course (at least 60 credits a year for undergraduates) except that disabled students, whose disability prevents them from studying at least 50% of a full time course, may apply if they are studying at least 25% of a full time course (30 credits per year).
Part-time students who started their courses on or after 1 September 2012 may apply if they are studying at least 25% of a an equivalent full time course (at least 30 credits per academic year).
You will only be considered for help from the Fund if you can show that you have made realistic plans to meet your tuition fees and living costs.
When to apply
Applications can be accepted at any time up to Friday 28 June 2013 (or 15 May 2013 if you are a final year undergraduate).
Where to get the application form
Application forms are available from the Dean of Students’ Office, the Cashiers’ Office in Registry and the Advice Centre in Union House.
How your application will be assessed
The criteria for assessing applications are similar to those used for home students applying to the Access to Learning Fund. Your application will be treated either as a ‘standard’ or a ‘non standard’ claim. We will assess ‘standard’ applications under our additional need method that looks at the difference between reasonable expenditure and expected income. If you have unforeseen circumstances your application can then be considered under a ‘non standard’ assessment.
The UEA Hardship Fund is cash limited and it may not be possible to offer you all the help you feel you need. Not all students who apply will receive assistance.
Standard awards are intended to help meet general costs associated with being a full-time student such as living costs e.g. rent payments, food, utility bills etc. In addition, assistance with course related costs such as childcare, travel, books and field trips is available for all students including part-time and postgraduate students.
For full-time undergraduate students being assessed for a standard award there is an assumed income £4,971. If your actual income is below this amount, we will use this figure to assess your application because we believe this is the realistic minimum figure you need to meet your living costs.
For full-time postgraduate students a weekly notional postgraduate income amount (NPI) is applied to standard assessments. This is set at £165 for single students and £133 for students with dependants.
For all full-time students there will also be a set expenditure level, known as composite living costs for general living costs such as food and usual household costs including utility bills. The relevant amount will be set depending on your circumstances, for example, if you have children:
Single Student £73 per week
Student with Partner £115 per week
For students with children, an additional amount of £67 per week per child is added to the composite living cost figure together with a family premium of £18 per week.
In assessing your application, your expenditure will be based on the appropriate composite living costs figure, your rent, travel expenses and your course costs (books, equipment, field courses, childcare).
Car running costs will not normally be allowed for single students without dependants or certain disabilities unless you need to travel by car to compulsory placements, or live in a location with no public transport. We will base daily travel costs on public transport rates. For students living within First Bus city zones 1 – 5 the cost will be capped at £6.03per week, which is based on the cost of a £235 annual ticket giving unlimited bus travel in that area. (Details and tickets can be obtained from the Union Travel Shop.)
Non standard awards can help to meet exceptional costs, such as repairs to essential household equipment, high costs for students dependent on continuing medication and assistance with priority debts. Emergency situations (including travel costs for family illness or bereavement and hardship due to burglary or fire) can also be considered.
Timetable for making a decision
Provided your application form has been accurately and fully completed and the appropriate documentary evidence supplied, an assessment and decision should be made within 4 working weeks of submission. You should also normally expect to receive a payment in this time. However, in some cases, we may need to defer your initial payment beyond 4 weeks to deal with a particular circumstance.
How you will be notified about the outcome of your application
You will normally receive confirmation of the outcome of your application via your @uea e-mail. The notification you receive will tell you what to do if you are unhappy about the outcome of your application.
September 2012
