email this page
print this page

The Access to Learning Fund is designed to help out students who come into financial difficulty throughout their course. It ultimately works to prevent any student from having to leave university due to financial problems.

Where does the money come from?

It comes from the government but is administered within each individual university.

Who can receive it?

The fund is available to all home students studying at least 50% of a full time course whether postgraduate or undergraduate. It is not available to international or EU students.

There are priority groups for the fund. These are:

• students with dependents
• students with disability
• care leavers
• student’s with caring responsibilities

The fund is discretionary meaning ultimately it is up to the assessors within each university as to whether or not they give it to a student. They do however have strict guidelines to follow which are laid down by the government.

How does the assessment work?

There are two types of assessment:

• Standard assessment
• Non-standard assessment

Standard assessments

In the application form you will fill in a financial statement with details of all your income and expenditure. These will then be added up and the difference between the two totals calculated to work out whether there is a shortfall or not. If there is a shortfall you will receive money from the fund.

See below for further information on the treatment of income and expenditure.

Non-standard assessments

These are emergency payments given to deal with specific situations. Such situations might be:

• To help after a fire or burglary
• damages to essentials in the home e.g. cooker, boiler
• to deal with rent or electricity arrears when the result of non-payment would be the loss of the home or electricity
• to avoid bailiffs or arrest due to non-payment of debts

This list is by no means exhaustive and the ALF team within the university need to be contacted about the possibility of an award in your personal circumstances.

How long will it take?

You should receive your money within four weeks of handing in a completed application when applying for a standard award. In the case of emergencies you may be able to receive money within 24 hours.

How are my income and expenditure treated in a standard assessment?

Only certain income and expenditure is considered in a standard assessment.

What expenditure is included?

• Composite living costs. These are amounts set by the government to cover everyday living expenses such as food, bills, clothes and entertainment. These start at £47/week for a single under 25 student and go up for students with partners and children
•  rent
•  travel                
• course costs
• extras such as medical costs and priority debts

NB: rent, travel and course costs are all capped meaning they will only take into account costs up to certain amount.

What income is included?

• Assumed income – it is assumed that an undergraduate can make up a certain amount of money each year from part time work and overdrafts etc. £1,500 is included in the income for full-year students and £500 for final-year students. Students with dependents and/or disabilities do not have assumed incomes
• Parental contribution – determined by LEA assessment
• Additional parental contributions and student’s savings – as declared by student
• Partner’s income
• Child Support Maintenance
• Social security benefits and Child Tax Credits (CTC)

NB: part-time wages are not included in the income.

How is it paid?

The money will be paid straight into your bank account generally in one lump sum.

How do I apply?

You can get an application form from the Student Advice Centre in the Student Union or from Central Student Administration.

Can I appeal against the outcome to my assessment?

Yes you can. You must put your appeal in writing to be considered by a committee.

Useful contacts

Financial Aid

Central Student Administration

Level 10

EC Stoner Building

0113 343 2007

www.leeds.ac.uk/students/office/alf.htm

 

Please be aware that we are only able to advise current or prospective students of Leeds University.

These pages are for guidance only and are not a substitute for diverse legislation that they cover. The information was checked and correct at the time of writing.

If you have any comments or queries about this page please email advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk.

© LUU Student Advice Centre January 2007.