Help with Hardship

The hardship fund is now closed for the academic year of 24/25. This page will be updated when the fund re-opens. If you have any questions, please contact hardshipfunds@swansea.ac.uk

Applications need to be submitted at least 5 weeks before your course end date. All applications will be assessed in the context of the applicant nearing their course completion date. If your end date has been extended, you must provide evidence of this in order for assessment of your application to be continued.

Please note awards from the fund are NOT guaranteed. If you have any questions, please contact hardshipfunds@swansea.ac.uk

Not sure whether you can apply? Then please see our quick guidance below:

To be eligible to apply you must be:

Enrolled on a Full Time or Part Time course (External students cannot apply)
A home student or EU student with 'home/ UK' tuition fee status
Suspended home/eligible EU students can apply to the hardship fund as long they have been enrolled in the current academic year prior to suspending their studies

If you are an international student, please see our International Student Support Fund web page.

What does it mean to be in financial hardship?

We assess applications looking at whether, due to unforeseen circumstances, a student cannot cover their immediate and essential costs. Students will be expected to provide evidence to support their application.

Evidence of your circumstances should be limited to official documentation only and uploaded to an application form. Please do NOT send any evidence via email unless requested. Any evidence sent via email without request will be deleted in compliance with GDPR regulations.

Examples of when you should not apply.

You have not accessed ALL the statutory funding you are entitled to, such as student finance loans and grants
You can cover your immediate and essential living costs
You have access to savings such as ISAs or Help to Buy
You have not made use of an arranged overdraft – the hardship funds are a last resort
To pay towards tuition fees – that is not the purpose of the fund
You did not make a reasonable financial plan to cover your costs before starting your course
Unfortunately, we cannot help towards the cost of private therapy or counselling. Please refer to The Wellbeing Service

You can make an application online here: Swansea University Opportunity Award. If you have any other queries about applying, please contact hardshipfunds@swansea.ac.uk.

Students must use their student email when contacting any of The Money Advice teams' inboxes or staff.

Available Support

Assistance with Diagnostic Testing

This is a capped award solely for the cost of a SpLD diagnostic assessment in cases of financial hardship. It is recommended that students contact hardshipfunds@swansea.ac.uk before submitting an application.

Students must use their student email when contacting any of The Money Advice Teams' emails or staff.

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Swansea University Hardship Funds

This application is for all eligible students experiencing financial difficulty. It allows us to have an understanding of your overall financial situation and whether there have been unforeseen circumstances or costs. There is no cap, but an award is not guaranteed and its intention is to provide short term assistance with essential living costs.

Please see the below video for further guidance on how to apply:-

Hardship Funds How to Apply Video

How to apply to Hardship Fund

Hardship Funds FAQS

When will a decision be made on my application?

It can take up to 15 working days from date of submission for an initial assessment to be made. If further information is required, a final decision on your application will take longer. During busier periods, the assessment time may be longer. Second applications to the fund may take up to 20 working days so we can prioritise first time applicants if required.

How do I know if I have provided enough information/evidence?

If your application does not have the required information to complete an assessment, you will be notified via an automated email with a request for further information within 15 working days of submission. You will have 5 working days to upload the evidence requested and resubmit the application. A final decision will not be made until all required evidence has been provided. If you do not provide the required information within 5 working days, your application may be cancelled.

Can I apply for hardship to help towards the cost of repairs to equipment such as a laptop?

Yes. You will still need to evidence that you are in hardship and you may not receive the full cost of the repairs. If you need immediate assistance, there is a laptop borrowing scheme with the library.

I am in my final year, can I still apply?

Please note, awards from the hardship fund are NOT guaranteed.

Our forms are also available in Welsh

The Money Advice team is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We welcome applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including skin colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion and belief, gender, sexual orientation.