Access to Learning Fund (ALF)

The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is Government money distributed by the University to those students experiencing genuine financial hardship.

They don't have to be repaid and can contribute to meeting costs such as:

• accommodation
• books and equipment
• childcare
• disability costs
• travel and utilities

Access to Learning Fund awards are means tested. If successful, the amount awarded will vary with each individual case.

The Fund cannot be used to meet the costs of tuition fees.

Home students enrolled on an undergraduate or postgraduate course at the University of Wolverhampton, and some EU students can apply. International students are not eligible to apply.

Who can apply

Generally, in order to qualify for ALF support you must:

• Be a registered student at the University of Wolverhampton
• Be classed as a home student
• Have taken up all statutory support that is available to you
• If part-time, be studying at least 60 credits or 50% of an equivalent full-time programme
• If part-time with a disability, be studying at least 25% of an equivalent full time programme.

How we assess your application

The Access to Learning Fund Panel meets weekly to decide cases, and we aim to process all complete application forms within four working weeks.

We will write to you to inform you of the Panel's decision. Please note that due to Data Protection we are unable to confirm decisions verbally, by email or fax.

Please note that funds are limited so we cannot guarantee all applications will be successful.

If you're a self-funding postgraduate, you need to demonstrate that you have made realistic provision at the start of the course to fund both your tuition fees and living costs. Where students have clearly not done so, a payment from the Fund may not be appropriate.

The Access to Learning Fund is open now for 2011/2012. Please download and complete an Access to Learning Fund form.Access to Learning Funds form (MS Word - 375kb - opens in new window).

For a full explanation of how we assess your application please refer to the Explanatory Guide (MS Word - 131k - opens in new window).

Help with extra course costs

If you have high course/project costs, that are in addition to your standard course costs, you will need to download and complete an Extra Course Cost form (MS Word - 95k - opens in new window).

You should include this with your Access to Learning Fund application form.

It must be endorsed by your course leader or tutor, if it is to be considered by the Panel. Please note that we cannot guarantee all these costs will be met by an award from the Fund.

Help over the summer

The University offers non-repayable grants to UK-home students for the summer period.

More about the Summer Fund.