Person on their laptop
Person on their laptop. Credits: heylagostechie via Unsplash

Financial support for students impacted by COVID-19

Financial assistance is available to support students impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Oxford is committed to assisting students who have faced disadvantage or disruption as a result of COVID-19.

Undergraduate students

If you face a shortfall in funding due to the pandemic, you could be eligible to apply to the COVID-19 Assistance Fund (CAF). The CAF was formerly known as the COVID-19 Hardship Fund. Following a review, it is now open to applications for all first year as well as continuing students. More information is now available on the new CAF page of the Oxford Students website. You will need to apply through your college (or your department if you don’t have a college). Your local Hardship Officer will be able to discuss the scheme with you, as well as alternative support that may be available if your financial difficulties do not relate to COVID-19.

Postgraduate students

The COVID-19 Scholarship Extensions Fund (CSEF), is inviting a third round of applications for funding extensions, from students whose funding end date is between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2021. Full details of the fund, which supports postgraduate research (PGR) students most affected by the pandemic, including eligibility and the application process, are available on the CSEF page of the Oxford Students website.

If you are not eligible for this scheme, but have been disrupted by COVID-19, you may be able to access financial assistance from the COVID-19 Assistance Fund. This provides grants on the basis of financial needs and makes specific provision for the needs of PGR students, including University Continuation Charges (UCC) costs, in making financial assessments.

We encourage you to speak with your supervisor about the non-financial support available to you, including adjustments that can be made to your research project or thesis, to enable you to complete your programme successfully.