Access to Learning Fund

What is the Access to Learning Fund?

The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is a sum of money that is given to the University by the Government to assist students in financial difficulty. The fund is based on income and allowable expenditure over the academic year, and awards are made when there is a shortfall between the two. The fund is primarily designed as a safety net when students have exhausted all other available financial support.

Funding is not guaranteed and a previous award does not mean that a student will be guaranteed funding in the future. If an award is made then it is separate to other state funding, and awards do not usually have to be repaid.

The Fund cannot help towards tuition fees and is strictly aimed at support for essential basic living costs. The only exception to support for tuition fees is for part-time students who cannot get funding from their Local Authority due to previous study. In this situation students can apply for assistance through the Additional Fee Support Scheme (AFSS).

For more information, email the ALF team - studentfinancialsupport@hud.ac.uk

• Access to Learning Fund Application Form 2011/12  
• Access to Learning Fund Guidance Notes 2011/12