UK Government - Access to Learning Fund

Access to Learning Fund

You will receive a one-off grant you never pay back. This will help you cover basic living costs such as rent, utility bills and food if you find yourself in sudden or unavoidable financial difficulties whilst studying. There is no fixed amount. Your university will determine the amount based on your circumstances, and as funds are limited, this is not a guaranteed income. The money comes from a government hardship fund. Universities and colleges in England pay it directly to their own students.

Who can apply

• Fee status: You pay the tuition fees applicable to UK students (‘Home’). Students from the EU and other international students are not eligible to apply.
• Level and mode: Full-time and part-time students at any stage of their studies, whether on a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme, are eligible to apply.
• Field of study: All subjects.
• Financial need: You are facing a genuine, unexpected financial hardship and can provide proof of your actual annual income.
• Other funding first: You have already applied for and received all other student grants to which you are entitled.
• Registration: You are enrolled as a student and may apply once per academic year.

How to apply

Apply for the grant directly through your own university, usually via its online platform for financial hardship cases. At the University of Kent, this is ‘Blackbullion’. Deadlines vary depending on the semester. For the first round of the 2026/27 semester, the application deadline is midnight on Friday, 4 December 2026. Once your application is complete, you will usually receive a decision within 20 working days.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a needs-based grant, not a competition based on grades. If you are a local student who can clearly demonstrate genuine hardship and prove that you have exhausted all other sources of funding, your chances are good. The catch is that funds are limited and each university decides for itself, so approval is never guaranteed. Apply as soon as the application window for your semester opens, rather than waiting to see what happens.