Finance during your maternity leave: Student loan/grants
If you are a full time UK undergraduate student and have to take time out due to pregnancy or caring responsibilities you may be able to request that your student finance continues to be paid during your period of suspension. This is a decision entirely at the discretion of your assessment authority (eg Student Finance England). Contact your assessment authority for further advice.
You will probably be asked to make a written request asking for your student finance to continue to be paid to you during your suspension. It may be beneficial if you are able to provide supporting evidence outlining the financial difficulties or hardship you would experience if your student finance payments ceased as well as outlining why you are unable to find alternative sources of income. You should also provide evidence of any ongoing financial commitments you have (eg mortgage or rent payments).
Student Financial Support Fund
If you are full-time UK student and have to take time out due to pregnancy or caring responsibilities you may be eligible to apply to the discretionary Student Financial Support Fund if you experience financial difficulties. If you submit a hardship application you should provide evidence outlining the reasons for your suspension as well as evidence from your School confirming the date you are expected to resume your studies. Undergraduate students would also need to demonstrate that they have tried to access their student finance during their period of suspension (see above).
Please note you can only apply for the above support if you are on suspension of studies with a return date to your course. If you withdraw from your course, you will no longer be classed as a student and will become ineligible for financial support.
Are you pregnant or about to become a parent? Please see the set-by-step guide below for information. The Welfare and Equality Officer at the Students Union will be able to assist you.
Consult your GP, Midwife and other appropriate services and consider disclosing your pregnancy to your School/Faculty. You must do this if elements of your programme of study present risk to the health and safety of either you or child.
Step 2
You will need to request a meeting with your personal tutor/course supervisor, or other trusted member of staff, to discuss the implications of your pregnancy for your programme of study.
Step 3
The member of staff considers the implications of the pregnancy for the course of study – and ensures that any appropriate risk assessment(s) are completed for any potentially hazardous elements of the programme of study, including course placements, study abroad and fieldwork. Find more information in the Health and Safety Executive guidance for employers and expectant mothers.
Step 4
You will need to explore any potential implications of agreed flexibility on payment of tuition fees. More information can be found on Newcastle University's Student Services pages.
Step 5
The School/Faculty prepares a written statement detailing agreed flexibility and sends a copy to you
Step 6
Responsible member of staff communicates written agreement to all relevant staff/exam boards along with, where appropriate, a Personal and Extenuating Circumstances form. More information can be obtained from the Student Progress website
Step 7
A member of staff and yourself jointly monitor agreement and any risk assessments through pregnancy and agree further adjustments if the need arises.
