► Access To Learning Fund (ALF)

FXU ADVICE SERVICE

 ACCESS TO LEARNING FUND

University College Falmouth Students

UCF STUDENTS - ALF APPLICATION 09-10
UCF STUDENTS - ALF GUIDANCE NOTES 09-10
 
University of Exeter Cornwall Campus Students

UECC - ALF APPLICATION 09-10
UECC STUDENTS - ALF GUIDANCE NOTES 09-10
UECC ALF REASSESSMENT APP 09-10
UECC ALF REASSESSMENT GUIDANCE 09-10
UECC STUDENTS ALF PART TIME APP 09-10
UECC STUDENTS - ALF PART TIME GUIDANCE 09-10

What is the Access to Learning Fund?

Each year, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocates the University a sum of money to be used for the Access to Learning Fund (ALF). ALF is designed to enable the University to help students who need extra financial support because they have higher than expected costs (such as single parents) or they encounter an unexpected financial emergency (for example a burglary). The Fund can be used for course-related costs such as childcare, exceptionally high books/equipment costs, travel or for general living costs such as rent.
The Fund is discretionary. However, it is designed to ensure all applications are looked at consistently across all Higher Education Institutions in England. In order to achieve this standard approach the University is issued with guidelines which the University must adhere to in assessing applications from students. If you qualify for a payment from the Fund, it will not have to be repaid.

What is it not?

ALF is not however an automatic entitlement and should not be regarded as a guaranteed income. Students who have not received notification of their full entitlements from the Student Loans Company/Postgraduate funding/notional income/State Support (ie Housing benefit, Child/Working Tax Credits) are not eligible to apply until they have received this as the Access to Learning Fund is designed to cover any shortfall in your assessed income and expenditure for the whole academic year. It would not be possible to complete a fair and accurate assessment without this information as the ALF is not a short term solution. It also cannot be used for tuition fees nor can it be used to fund lifestyle choices such as mobile phones, cars and laptops.

Who can apply?

All undergraduate, postgraduate, full-time and part-time home/UK students are eligible to apply for assistance from the Access to Learning Fund. If you are an undergraduate student you must have taken out your full entitlement to a student loan and have received the first installment. Students who are interrupting their studies due to medical or other unavoidable reasons or EU students who have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of their course may also apply - however you will need to speak to an advisor before applying. EU students who have Migrant Worker Status may also be eligible to apply. Unfortunately overseas students or students who have not been resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of their course are not eligible to apply to the Fund.

In setting guidelines for the use of the funds ALF Assessors are asked to give priority to the following groups of students when allocating funds:

• Students with children (especially lone parents)
• Mature students, especially those with existing financial commitments, including priority debts
• Students from low income families
• Disabled students (especially where the DSA is unable to meet particular costs)
• Students who have entered higher education from care
• Students from Foyers or who are homeless
• Students receiving the final year loan rate, who are in financial difficulty
• Self-funding postgraduate students who can prove they have made realistic provision before the start of their course to fund both their tuition fees and living costs

Please remember it is a good idea to have your form checked by an FXU Adviser before you submit it for assessment. You should draft your application, and collate all the necessary supporting documents before making an appointment. Please read the guidance notes carefully as these clarify who is eligible to apply for help.

You can pick up a form from FXU/Accommodation and Welfare/ASU receptions or download a copy from the top of this page. 

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in these advice pages. However, they cannot be regarded as a substitute for statutory regulations, or individual advice which is available from FXU Advisers.

The FXU advisors are available to discuss and advise you over any concerns you have with any issue that is troubling you. Call us to arrange an appointment at Tremough Campus: the FXU reception opposite the refectory/bar or by telephone 01326 370447 or Woodlane Campus: the FXU reception in the Library Building, Main Campus, or by telephone 01326 213742. Alternatively you can email suadvice@falmouth.ac.uk or advice@fxu.org.uk 

 

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