Earn upto £3,500 for 30 minutes work!!! 'Access to Learning Fund'

postdigital

Just received a cheque for £400, which I wouldn't have if I hadn't read this post! Thanks a lot :-D

robhammond

Hi,

I just wanted to bring this thread to the attention of students starting University this September. Applications for the fund can be made within the first week. I advise reading up on previous posts in the thread and if you're eligible getting your applications in sooner rather than later!

As with last year, any questions just ask.

Good luck and have a great year,

Rob

Lady_K

Do you think an early application is better than later on in the year?

cazzie_4

Quick question can a student doing their second degree get this?

freebie_junkie

Lady_K wrote:

Do you think an early application is better than later on in the year?

i was a february start student so have applied for both of my atlf's in februray and i got a decent sum both times despite it being 5 months after the start of the regular term so imo i think its more based on need rather than when you apply (and also in teh first year i got an extra sum just before the end of teh financial year, i think they err more on teh side of caution and then top you up if tehy have leftovers)

wigglywoozle

I'm a lone parent and really need some extra cash to help out with my course that I'm starting in September. The Childcare grant only covers 85% of the nursery fees so I would need to find the rest myself. The only thing is I'm not in debt. Will they still look upon my case favourably?

davsidipp

hi robhammond can u help.
my son goes to uni he starts second year in sep.
i am registered disabled and can not work.my son had to give up his flat in june due to no money .he has lived with me since.he has used all his money.
no one has ever mentioned alf or summer fund.is it to late to claim retrospect
alf and for summer fund.he can not afford to go back to uni as he has no money to pay rent and i have no more to give him.thanks

Debbie1980

davsidipp wrote:

hi robhammond can u help.
my son goes to uni he starts second year in sep.
i am registered disabled and can not work.my son had to give up his flat in june due to no money .he has lived with me since.he has used all his money.
no one has ever mentioned alf or summer fund.is it to late to claim retrospect
alf and for summer fund.he can not afford to go back to uni as he has no money to pay rent and i have no more to give him.thanks

Hi

I dont know if he will be able to claim for previous funds, but at my uni the summer fund is still open for applications, tho i think it does close soon. You may be able to find info on the uni website? you may find he can also apply for the alf in the next few weeks, when uni starts up again. i recently got my summer fund money, they were very quick - i got the cheque within a week of applying

robhammond

Hi all,

Lady_K "Do you think an early application is better than later on in the year?"

If you're eligible then apply as soon as possible. At some institutions they have very little money left by Christmas (not all though). However if you are rejected there is nothing to stop you appealing or trying again later in the year. As I have mentioned before, they are quite strict at the beginning of the year to ensure those in the most need receive something but towards the end of the year they relax the criteria to ensure that they give it all away.

cazzie "Quick question can a student doing their second degree get this?"

Yes, any student on any course at any Uni providing they fit the criteria previously mentioned. It could be a first degree, second degree, masters etc that bit isn't important - it is if you are in hardship for whatever reason that counts.

wigglywoozle
"I'm a lone parent and really need some extra cash to help out with my course that I'm starting in September. The Childcare grant only covers 85% of the nursery fees so I would need to find the rest myself. The only thing is I'm not in debt. Will they still look upon my case favourably?"

Yes, students in your situation and similar is precisely why the fund was set up. On your application, remember to tell them that you are being proactive rather than reactive. i.e. you are trying to prevent debt rather than be bailed out from it.

davsidipp "is it to late to claim retrospect"

I'm sorry to hear of your situation. Unfortunately you cannot claim retrospectivly, although I would take Debbie1980's advice and see if you can still access the summer fund.
I started this thread because not enough Uni's & Higher Education Institutions advertise the fund widely enough and often students drop out or have to get jobs with practicaly full time hours to complete thier studies..

Perhaps your son should contact his Students' Union advice centre to see what they can do to get him back to Uni, or perhaps he could just take a year out, earn some money and then go back when his is in a better position?

Good Luck one and all,

Rob

OU_Student

Zziggi wrote:

can part-time students get this?

Is it only "traditional" universities have this or does the OU have ti too?


Thanks

Yes the OU does have it too, try here
http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/about/p6_1.shtml