Access to Learning Fund 2012/2013
The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) provides discretionary financial assistance for students to help them access and remain in higher education, particularly those students who need financial help to meet costs that cannot be met from other sources of funding.
Each year the Government provides LJMU with an allocated amount of money via the Access to Learning fund. This enables us to support students who are struggling financially. LJMU also subsides this fund from our own resources.
The Fund can also be used to help alleviate unexpected financial hardship and students who may be considering leaving higher education because of financial problems are particularly encouraged to apply. Students should be aware that ALF is intended to act as a safety net for those in financial difficulty rather than their main source of income.
It is important not to wait until you have run out of money before you apply so if you think you may need to apply to the fund for financial support, submit your application as soon as possible. Normally any payments received from the fund do not have to be repaid.
You should be aware that certain students are the main priority for the fund. These are:
- Students that are parents
- Disabled students
- Final year students
Who can apply?
The Access to Learning Fund is for 'home students' (see below what this means) registered on a course in one of the following categories:
- Undergraduate students - either full or part time, including part time distance learners following a higher education course, including sandwich courses and any periods of placement.
- Postgraduate students - either full or part time following a course of higher education at a level above first degree.
A 'home student' is defined as a person who meets certain residency conditions (the same conditions apply to eligibility for student support, for example, a student loan). It is nothing to do with where you live. Usually it means you must have an unrestricted right to enter and remain in the UK, and you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years prior to the start of the course. Please refer to the 'guidance notes' available to download below for more details on eligibility to apply. Overseas and international students are not eligible for this funding.
How to Apply
Application forms will be available to download from September 2012. Alternatively, you will be able to pick up a copy from the transaction desk in your Learning Resource Centre (LRC).
Applications must be submitted, together with supporting documentary evidence, directly to the Student Advice Team; Kingsway House Annex, Hatton Garden, Liverpool.
