University Hardship Fund (UHF)
What is the University Hardship Fund?
The University Hardship Fund is provided by the University to assist students who experience unexpected financial difficulties.
Who is eligible to apply?
All enrolled undergraduates and postgraduates who are experiencing unexpected financial difficulties are eligible to apply. Applications will not be considered from intermitting students. Students must demonstrate that something has occurred which they could not have foreseen at the start of their course. Students from the UK must apply to the Access to Learning Fund before submitting a University Hardship Fund application and can request a form by emailing student.funding@admin.ox.ac.uk.
What is the application procedure?
Students should contact their College Hardship Officer and discuss their application with them. Colleges should send completed forms to Student Financial Support by the appropriate deadline listed below. The forms include sections for the student, College and tutor or supervisor to complete.
Is any additional documentation required?
Colleges are asked to include a copy of the student’s financial guarantee.
When are the application deadlines?
Applications are considered by the University Hardship Committee, which meets termly. The relevant dates are listed below:
| Term | Application deadline | Committee meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Michaelmas Term 2013 | Thursday of 4th week 7 November 2013 |
Thursday of 6th week 21 November 2013 |
| Hilary Term 2014 | Thursday of 4th week 13 February 2014 |
Thursday of 6th week 27 February 2014 |
| Trinity Term 2014 | Thursday of 2nd week 8 May 2014 |
Thursday of 4th week 22 May 2014 |
It is possible, in emergencies, for the Chair to consider applications between meetings. This must be requested when the application is submitted to Student Financial Support and is subject to the availability of staff and the Chair.
What level of award is available?
The maximum award is unlikely to be more than £5,000, except in exceptional circumstances. Awards of this level will usually be a combination of grant and loan.
How are applications assessed?
Applications are assessed against standard estimates of the cost of studying at Oxford.
| Home and Islands undergraduates | £7,900 |
| EU and Overseas undergraduates | £9,975 |
| Postgraduates over nine months | £9,975 |
| Postgraduates over twelve months | £12,900 |
| Allowance for first dependent child | £2,500 |
| Allowance for two or more dependent children | £4,000 |
| Allowance for partner or spouse | Two-thirds of maintenance level |
The Committee regards these figures as guidelines and will treat them with as much latitude as it sees fit in any particular case. It is expected that students whose expenses are particularly heavy, for whatever reason, will draw the Committee’s attention to this fact in their application.
Are there any groups of students who are unlikely to receive an award?
- Students who, in the opinion of the Committee, did not have adequate funding at the outset of their course.
- Students undertaking a nine month or one year course.
- Students whose situation is financially unsustainable.
- Students applying for financial assistance with their research and/or fieldwork.
- Students who have already received assistance from the University Hardship Fund.
- Students who have not taken out government support or applied to the Access to Learning Fund.
- Students who have been affected by fluctuations in exchange rates unless catastrophic or combined with other circumstances.
- Students who need assistance in repaying debts which were in existence prior to the student commencing their studies.
- Students who are unable to obtain paid employment unless a contract was in place prior to commencing their studies.
- Students whose funding has run out before they are ready to submit their thesis unless their research has been disrupted for reasons beyond their control.
- Students who require assistance with childcare costs where this has not been taken into account at the start of their studies.
- Students who are applying for assistance with a funding deficit in the next academic year
How are Colleges and students notified of the outcome?
Colleges will be informed of the Committee’s decision regarding the application and are asked to communicate this to the student. Payment of any award will be made to the College to disburse to the student.
Who should Colleges contact for more information?
Please email all queries to student.funding@admin.ox.ac.uk.