Concerned about your finances?

The Student Financial Support Fund is provided by the University to give discretionary financial assistance to registered UK students if they:

• need help with unexpected financial difficulties
• have a low income*
• are considering leaving higher education because of financial problems
• are experiencing a funding delay e.g. a delayed payment of your student loan instalment or stipend

*if you're a postgraduate student or undertaking a second degree you'll need to be able to evidence that you had adequate funding in place when you commenced your course

Detailed information about this funding and our assessment process can be found in our 2024-25 Student Financial Support Fund Policy

Applying to the Student Financial Support Fund

You'll need to provide supporting documentation with your application form including bank statements. Our Bank Statement Guidance (PDF: 72KB) outlines the format of bank statements we are able to accept.

If your 2024/25 academic year has commenced: 

Complete a 2024/25 application form 

If you require this application form in an alternative format email us.

The Financial Assistance Fund (FAF) is provided by the University to give discretionary short-term financial assistance to registered international and EU students who are experiencing serious and unexpected financial difficulties. You’ll need to be able to evidence that:

• you commenced your course with adequate funding in place for the duration of your studies
• your financial difficulties have occurred due to circumstances beyond your control

Detailed information about this funding and our assessment process can be found in our 2024-25 Financial Assistance Fund Policy

Applying to the Financial Assistance Fund  

You'll need to provide supporting documentation with your application form including bank statements. Our Bank Statement Guidance (PDF: 74KB) outlines the format of bank statements we are able to accept.

If your 2024/25 academic year has commenced: 

Complete a 2024/25 application form   

If you require this application form in an alternative format email us.

Important Announcement: Withdrawal of Student IT Hardship Scheme 

Over the last few years, there has been a significant decrease in the number of applications to the Student IT Hardship Scheme. Since the introduction of the scheme in 2021 there has been a 73% decrease in applications and 51% decrease compared with the previous academic year.  

This decline, combined with the availability of other funding options, has led us to make the decision to withdraw the Student IT Hardship Scheme for 2025/26. 

Students experiencing financial difficulties can apply for support through the existing funding schemes made available by the University:  

UK students – Student Financial Support Fund 

International and EU students – Financial Assistance Fund

These comprehensive funding options provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment of a student's financial circumstances and often offer greater support than the IT Hardship Scheme.

Support and Transition 

We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all students who are in need of financial support to help access IT provision. Our team is available to provide guidance and assistance in applying for alternative funding sources.

Financial Application Period 

For those students unable to access on campus IT resources and who are experiencing financial difficulties we are offering a final application period for the Student IT Hardship Scheme: 

Continuing undergraduate students can apply up to and including the 6th June 2025 

Continuing postgraduate students can apply up to and including the 31st August 2025

After this date, the scheme will be officially withdrawn.

if you want to apply for to the scheme during this final application period please contact the Team using the details below to request an application form. 

Contact Information 

For assistance or more information on alternative funding options, please contact the Student Financial Support Team at: student.fin-supp@ncl.ac.uk 

We understand that this is a change to the financial support options we provide, and we are here to support you through this transitional period. Our goal is to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed academically.

if you think you need to apply for an emergency loan you'll need to email us.  

We aim to respond to your enquiry on the same day to find out more about your financial difficulties. If you’re eligible to apply for emergency loan funding we’ll send you a short online application form to complete.

Our short application form asks you some questions to find out more about your financial situation. You’ll also need to:

• provide bank statements for all of your bank accounts which include transactions and balances for the last four weeks
• include your available balance(s) on the day you submit your bank statements

See our Bank Statement Guidance to find out more about the format of bank statements that we’re able to accept.

Assessors aim to:

• reach a decision and provide you with the outcome of your emergency loan on the same day (Mon-Fri).
• reach a decision within 24 hours, in some instances it can take longer if you're asked to provide further supporting information

We'll email you with the outcome of your emergency loan application and you'll be asked to sign, date and return a declaration to indicate that you understand the terms and conditions of the loan.  Once you have returned your declaration we'll arrange for payment of your loan.

Payment is usually made by Tesco e-voucher and / or BACS transfer.

We'll only offer an emergency loan to assist with short-term essential living costs. If you need longer term assistance you'll also need to apply to the Student Financial Support Fund or Financial Assistance Fund. 

In most instances we'll provide short-term assistance by issuing a Tesco e-voucher to help you buy essentials such a food and toiletries.

We may be able to provide alternative support in some circumstances by making a BACS transfer to your nominated bank account. BACS payments are not immediate and it can take a few days for the payment to reach your bank account. 

We can't issue cash payments.

We'll agree a repayment date with you when we're assessing your emergency loan application. We'll take into account when you expect to receive your next source of income. You'll only repay what you borrow from us; your loan won't accrue interest.

You can repay online via our webstore.

If you're unable to repay by the agreed date contact us straight away to discuss the options available to you. We're here to support you and will always try to be flexible.

You’ll find more information about the consequences of not repaying emergency loan funding in our Emergency Loan Terms and Conditions 2024 (PDF:43KB).