• What is the Access to Learning Fund (ALF)?
• What is financial hardship?
• Who can apply?
• Am I likely to receive an award?
• How can I apply?
• What happens after I apply?
• Where can I get more advice?

What is the Access to Learning Fund (ALF)?

ALF is a discretionary grant, funded by the government, to help students in financial difficulty. ALF grants do not need to be paid back and can range from £100 to £3,500.

This fund is intended to assist with general living and course-related costs, not tuition fees or 'lifestyle choices'.

All applications are means-tested, therefore some applications will be unsuccessful.

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What is financial hardship?

Everyone’s definition of financial hardship is different. However, as the Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is a government-funded scheme administered by the University, we are bound by their definition, namely that “hardship occurs where reasonable expenditure exceeds expected income” as well as the funds administrative framework.

For undergraduates, your “expected income” is defined as the maximum statutory support you are eligible to receive. To establish this you will need to apply to be means-tested by your relevant Student Loan Company agency (or the NHS if applicable) and will need to have taken out the maximum Tuition Fee Loan available to you.

Postgraduates (in addition to paying your tuition fees) are expected to have funding in place to meet your day-to-day living costs and course costs for the entirety of your studies before commencing your course (the basic level of this is known as your Notional Postgraduate Income (NPI) and is currently set at a minimum of £161 per week).  

The ALF guidance describes “reasonable expenditure” for students as being equal to the amount someone in the same circumstances would receive in welfare benefits if they were not a student.

Financial hardship, according to ALF, should therefore not be from a lack of budgeting and/or poor cash management. Students who may be affected by these issues should visit our budgeting web pages, seek advice from the Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) in the Guild or attend one of our workshops on financial capability skills.

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Who can apply?

Generally, in order to qualify for ALF support you must:

• Be a registered student at the University of Birmingham
• Be classed as a home student
• Have taken up all statutory support that is available to you
• If part-time, be studying at least 60 credits or 50% of an equivalent full-time programme

Certain groups of students are deemed to be priority cases for ALF support. These groups include students from lower-income families, final-year undergraduate students, students with dependants, students with disabilities and students entering the University from care.

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Am I likely to receive an award?

Firstly it is important to say that any student in genuine financial difficulty should always apply to the ALF as the University will try and help in any way that it can, if at all possible.

We acknowledge that “reasonable expenditure” figures have been set at an extremely low level and therefore our own analysis shows that only certain types of students tend to be eligible for an award from the ALF. These include:

• First year students who have the extra cost of University accommodation to pay for;
• UG final year students who have a reduced rate of Student Loan;
• NHS-funded students as the NHS funding tends to be less generous;
• Students on a Year Abroad as accommodation costs can be quite high;
• Students who receive a Birmingham Grant only as part of this is disregarded;
• Students with dependent children as we offer a small bursary to such students;
• Care-leavers as we offer a small bursary to such students.

Those who tend to be less successful are:

• Birmingham Grant and Scholarship recipients as their “expected income” is comparatively high;
• Postgraduates as we are required to apply a Notional Postgraduate Income (currently set at a minimum of £161 per week) to their assessment;
• Second year students as they tend to live in private/less expensive accommodation and are typically in receipt of the maximum student loan.

Learn more about ALF success rates (PDF, 144KB, opens new window).

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How can I apply?

You can only make one application to ALF per year. If your circumstances change, you are entitled to apply for a 'review' of your application.

You must complete an ALF application form, Bank Account Details Form and Supporting Documents Checklist. You must also provide photocopies of all supporting documentation that is requested therein, as originals will not be returned.

We cannot make a decision on your application until you provide all requested supporting documentation and sign the Supporting Documents Checklist. To find out what you will need to provide, please refer to the ALF Information Sheet and Checklist.

Application forms can be downloaded from the top of the page and can also be collected from Academic and Student Administration in the Aston Webb Building or from the Selly Oak campus.

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What happens after I apply?

You should receive a decision on your application within four weeks of the application being considered complete. You will be notified via the online enquiry service.

You are entitled to appeal an ALF decision if you feel that your circumstances have not been fully taken into account.

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Where can I get more advice?

For advice on completing your application form or on managing financial difficulties, please contact the ARC at the Guild of Students or contact the Counselling and Guidance team.

If you have any queries about the Access to Learning Fund, please contact the Student Funding Office.

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