Access to Learning Fund (ALF)

The Access to Learning Fund provides additional financial help towards the essential costs associated with being a student. Awards made from the Fund are usually non-repayable grants. The Access to Learning Fund cannot help with the payment of tuition fees, with the exception of some targeted help for part-time under-graduate study. The Fund has a financial limit which is set by the Government and this means that we can only make a contribution towards any assessed 'additional need' that you might have.

The main Access to Learning Fund will close on 25th May, 2013 for the 2012/13 Academic Year.

Access to Learning Fund applications will be available again from the 16th September, 2013.

Who is eligible to apply?

The Fund can be used to help 'home' * students enrolled on a full-time or part-time higher education course (including distance learners) at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. Part-time students must be studying at least 50% of a full-time course, (25% for disabled students unable to study 50% because of their disability).

Intercalating Students who have temporarily withdrawn from their studies with the intention of returning after time out are also able to apply. Applicants must have applied for all other available means of financial support including having taken their full Government Student Loan entitlement before applying to the Fund. There is limited support for continuing students whose circumstances do not allow them to work during the summer and they can apply for 'Summer Assistance'. This includes students with no alternative means of support such as those with children or with a disability where benefits are not available and those re-sitting elements of their course. We are also able to help those students receiving Income Support over the summer where this stops at the beginning of September. Depending on the ALF budget, this category may be funded by the University.

*For Access to Learning Fund purposes 'Home' student will usually mean a student who meets the residence requirements for living cost support in the regulations pertaining to student support.

How will my Application be assessed?

ALF awards for full-time students are calculated using a formula that compares income with essential expenditure, set by the Government. By deducting assessed expenditure from total income any 'additional need' is identified and a contribution is then made towards this. Within the calculation there are certain allowances which result in priority being given to certain groups including:

Students with children (especially lone parents)
Other mature students (especially those with existing financial commitments, including priority debts) - For students with debts it is expected that you seek advice to re-negotiate the payment levels. If a student already has a payment plan then these amounts can be added into a standard assessment. Students will be offered a choice of where they can seek advice either within the university or to an external agency.
Students from low-income families
Disabled students (especially where DSA is unable to meet particular costs)
Care leavers and students from Foyers or those who are homeless (see other support)
Students receiving the final year (reduced) Government Student Loan rate

For 2012/13 we have a budget of £432,992 this means that we could pay 25% of any 'additional need' at the beginning of the year.

The maximum award from all schemes within ALF is £3,500 but this is likely to be the exception, and no payment will be made for awards under £50. There is a limit of £1,500 for non-standard awards, this includes emergencies.

For further information please see the link below for the Access to Learning Fund Booklet.

Closing Dates:

19th April, 2013 Final Year Students applying for Dyslexia Assessments
24th May, 2013 at 4pm Access to Learning Fund (ALF), Additional Fee Support Scheme (AFSS) & Dyslexia Assessment – Any Year
12th July, 2013 Summer Assistance (June-August)
20th September, 2013 Summer Assistance (September where income support stops)

Who to contact, where we are & our opening hours

Contacts/Location

Money Support
Rose Bowl,
Room 148,
Portland Crescent,
Leeds,
LS1 3HB
Telephone: 0113 812 6701
Email: sfss@leedsmet.ac.uk

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm

All enquiries should be made at the Student Hubs in the first instance

Documentation & Forms you'll need

Documentation

Applications to the Fund must be submitted along with all of the appropriate supporting documents required in your particular circumstances. A schedule of possible items and guidance on what might be applicable to you is given at the end of the application form. Please note that we are unable to carry out our assessment without all of the supporting documents required for your circumstances.

We do not require the original documents so if you are likely to need these at a later date then please provide a photocopy because we are unable to return your supporting evidence for audit purposes.

In addition to the information listed, there could be circumstances where we ask for additional information. For example, if it looks as though we may be able to provide additional help with travel costs in instances such as journeys to your parental home to care for a relative who is ill, we may ask for medical evidence relating to the illness.

Appeal Procedure

Access to Learning Application Form

Financial Support Links

Student Money Advice

The Student Money Advice Team offers confidential, impartial and specialist advice to students on funding and budgeting; and impartial and general advice about debt and benefits. The team also provides advice and advocacy on behalf of students but they do not administer funds or provide a crisis service. Students can find out how to contact a Student Money Adviser from their website www.leedsmet.ac.uk/moneyadvice or contact the Student Hubs on 0113 812 3115