DISCRETIONARY FUNDING

 

Emergency Loan

 

This is an interest free loan of up to £500 available from the University if your main Student Loan is delayed. It cannot be given in any other circumstances and must be repaid within 6 weeks.

 
You may need to apply for an Emergency Loan if
 

• You are a late applicant to the University or your LEA, or;
• You are a continuing student with a change of circumstances.

 
The Emergency Loan is only available from the Advice Unit in the Students' Union. In order to qualify for a loan you must have:
Completed and submitted either a PN1 or PR1 to your LEA.
 
If you do not fit any of the above criteria, you will not be eligible for an Emergency Loan at the time of your visit to the Advice Unit. Therefore, if you have not yet applied for student support the loan cannot be offered. However, the Advice Unit will consider other ways of practical help and representation depending on your individual circumstances.

 

Once your application has been approved, you will need to take it to the Student Centre who will countersign and forward the application to the Finance Office for payment.

 

Payments can only be made in the form of a cheque, however, in exceptional circumstances an 'open cheque' can be requested which can be cashed without payment of commission at the Co-operative Bank in Bolton.

 

The Emergency Loan process takes 48 hours. Example, if an application is submitted on Monday then you will receive a cheque on Wednesday.

 

You will be asked to pick up your cheque from the Finance Office. Please ensure that you take your University of Bolton card with you as evidence of identity.

 

Please Note: The Advice Unit will be unable to approve your application if it is unlikely that you will receive the first instalment of your Student Loan within 6 weeks. You will be advised accordingly. Failure to re-pay the Emergency Loan will result in debt recovery action against you and further possible sanctions deployed by the University.

 

Access to Learning Fund (ALF)

 

This replaces the previous Hardship Fund and has undergone a comprehensive review by the DFES in the way applicants are assessed and awarded. The ALF remains a discretionary fund. Being eligible to apply will not automatically entitle you to any ALF payments. Your application will be considered on its merits and strictly according to the DFES criteria for the ALF, although the University will have discretion in exceptional circumstances.

 

Applications can be made at any time during the academic year by obtaining an application form from the Student Centre or Advice Unit.

You can apply for course-related costs such as childcare, travel and books/equipment or for living costs such as rent.

 

Please Note: You should only make an application if you experience severe financial difficulties or have a sudden financial emergency.

You are strongly advised to make an appointment to see the Advice Unit co-ordinator if you need help in assessing your eligibility and completing your form.

 

All supporting evidence must be supplied as photocopies. Your application will not be processed without evidence. You should also ensure that you have 3 months of financial information at the time of the application such as bank statements, pay slips, etc. You must also ensure that you have a copy of your financial assessment and details of any Emergency Loan payment.

 

In any event, you should contact the Advice Unit who will be able to help you assess your eligibility and prospect of receiving an award, explore other avenues of income, produce a financial statement of all your income and expenditure for the purposes of negotiating with any creditors and other practical tips to help your individual circumstances.

 

If your ALF application is rejected and you wish to appeal, the Advice Unit can help you with this. You must request a copy of the breakdown of the assessment. This will be available from the Student Centre. If you unsure of the procedure consult your award letter.

 

The fund is designed to help students who have exhausted all other avenues of support and will give priority to certain groups of students. Other students often view the fund as a 'lifeline' where the student's course is in jeopardy due to financial problems.

 

More detailed information on the ALF is available in the Student Centre leaflet 'Access to Learning Fund' or contact the Student Centre or Advice Unit.