Dennis Turner Hardship Fund

All current (i.e. enrolled) students, home and international, including those studying at partner institutions are eligible to apply for the hardship fund.

UK/Home Students can apply to the Hardship Fund if you:

• have taken up and are in receipt of all statutory support that is available i.e. Maintenance Loan/Tuition Fee Loan/NHS Bursary 
• Postgraduate students must have paid, or made arrangements to pay, their tuition fees and basic living costs.

International and EU Students

You should have made provisions to pay your tuition fees and cover basic living costs before you commenced your studies if it is a condition of your visa. 

You can apply to the Hardship Fund if you have had a significant change in circumstances since enrolling on the course, and are struggling to cope financially. Applying for the Hardship Fund does not affect your visa status.

We would also recommend that you seek advice from our UKVI Visa team (visa-enquiries@wlv.ac.uk) as soon as you possibly can as this may have implications for your student visa and you need to ensure this is sorted immediately.

Who is not eligible?

• Unfortunately, the fund is for current students only and cannot support students who are pre-entry, those on apprenticeships, distance learning, TNE courses, or stand-alone modules.
• University funding and bursaries cannot help towards your tuition fees.

With regards to any issues you may have paying your tuition fees you need to contact our Finance either via phone (01902 321256) or email incomesection@wlv.ac.uk (including your student number) as they may be able to negotiate a payment plan as, unfortunately, the hardship fund cannot help with this.

The hardship fund opens towards the end of October each year and closes for standard applications in April, or until the funds are depleted, whichever is the sooner.  Should any students need support from us between April and July we may still be able to offer support for exceptional circumstances.

The fund completely closes for a maximum of a week at the end of July each year for financial end of year.

The Specific Bursaries (DSA and SpLD Assessment support) remain open all year but may be subject to update and/or change in criteria between academic years (September to July).

When the fund is open, you can request to apply via e:Vision.  

1. Click on the My Finance button on your Homepage
2. Click on Scholarships and Bursaries
3. Click on Apply for the Dennis Turner Fund

You will be asked a series of questions to ensure your eligibility to apply for the fund.

Once eligibility has been confirmed. you will then be redirected to complete the online application form.  NB: you will have to be signed into your Microsoft 365 University account to access (university email and IT password).

If you have any issues with this, please email us at money@wlv.ac.uk with your student number and a brief description of your issue and we will try our best to get this sorted.

Please make sure you have all relevant evidence saved and ready to upload in the correct format (pdf) before you apply.  You will not be able to complete the application without it.  

You can leave the application at any time, and it will temporarily keep your information to continue later.

For a more in depth explanation of the evidence you may need to supply, including tips on how to do this, please see our What evidence is required? page.

If you do not supply all relevant evidence at submission your application will be automatically rejected.  You will be able to provide this outstanding evidence to reopen your application.  Application processing times will be from resubmission date.

Please note - hardship funds cannot be used to pay tuition fees.

Help and support for applying can be found via:

• email Money@wlv.ac.uk including your student number
• book a virtual drop-in appointment with a member of the Funding Team - Funding Team Drop-in Appointment or
• the Students’ Union Advice and Representation Centre,

Please note: you can only submit this form once, so please ensure you have answered all questions accurately and provided all relevant evidence before you click the submit button.

When we allocate awards, we are asked to give priority to the following groups:

• Students with children
• Disabled students (especially where DSA is unable to meet particular costs)
• Students who have entered higher education from care for the period of time spanning their 16^th birthday (regardless of age now)
• Students who are 18 to 24 and have no communicative relationship with either living biological parent, or often their wider family
• Students who have caring responsibilities, previously in receipt of Carer's Allowance
• Students from low income families
• Students receiving the final year loan rate 
• Students whose courses have additional costs (for example, final year Arts students have to buy materials for their "show")
• Students who suffer unforeseen change of circumstances during their studies

If you are not in one of the priority groups you can still apply but you must provide as much evidence as possible to show why you have a particular need.

If you are successful, your award/instalments will be paid into your WLV Wallet account.  Further instalments may be subject to your continued engagement with your studies, seeking advice from the Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) of the Students' Union or other external advice and support agencies/charities (CAB, StepChange, etc).

Once awarded, you will receive an email from the WLV Wallet Team containing instructions on how to access these funds including how to transfer as much or as little as you want into the bank account of your choice.  

Instructions on how to withdraw your funds as cash can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNBySjlvJ_w&t

If you have any queries about the physical payment or how to access it, please contact the WLV-Wallet team at student.info@wlv-wallet.co.uk as we do not have access to this.

What is a Care Leaver?

A student who has entered higher education from care for the period of time spanning their 16^th birthday (regardless of age now). 

We have a dedicated team who provide ongoing support, advice and guidance throughout your student journey, from making an application to Wolverhampton through to graduation.  They can also provide a link between the University, your local authority and/or your Care Leaving Team.

As a care leaver you may be eligible for one of our Access Bursaries which take the form of a cash payment paid over two years.

How to register as a Care Leaver (if you have not done so already):

To register as a Care Leaver simply complete the online consent form at: www.wlv.ac.uk/care which will include uploading relevant evidence (below):

• Letter from your Leaving Care Team - confirming your Care Leaver status 
• Student Finance - current Student Finance Notification letter (all pages) which can be downloaded directly from your Student Finance online account under Letters and Emails - click the link then download the PDF to save and then upload to your application

Please note that you will have to complete a consent form every year to ensure your details are kept up-to-date.

Additional funding

You may also be eligible to receive a bursary in each year of study (this money does not have to be repaid) which will automatically be allocated once your registration/consent form is processed every year.

This award will be released for payment through your WLV Wallet account.  Please click this link for more information on the WLV Wallet itself.

For details of additional support available please visit the Support for care leavers and estranged students web page (www.wlv.ac.uk/care) or drop an email to nolonewolves@wlv.ac.uk (with your student number).

Who can be classed as estranged?

A student who has entered higher education who does not have a family support network, who are 18 to 24 and have no communicative relationship with either living biological parent, or often their wider family.

We have a dedicated team who provide ongoing support, advice and guidance throughout your student journey, from making an application to Wolverhampton through to graduation. 

All new starters may be eligible for one of our Access Bursaries which take the form of a cash payment paid over two years.

How to register as estranged (if you have not done so already):

To register as estranged simply complete the online consent form at: www.wlv.ac.uk/care which will include uploading relevant evidence (below):

• 3^rd party evidence to show that you are estranged and have no contact with either of your parents (unless previously supplied)
• Student Finance - current Student Finance Notification letter (all pages) which can be downloaded directly from your Student Finance online account under Letters and Emails - click the link then download the PDF to save and then upload to your application

Please note that you will have to complete a consent form every year to ensure your details are kept up-to-date.

Additional funding:

You may also be eligible to receive a bursary in each year of study (this money does not have to be repaid but is subject to engagement with your studies) which will automatically be allocated once your registration/consent form is processed every year.

This award will be released for payment through your WLV Wallet account.  Please click this link for more information on the WLV Wallet itself.

For details of additional support available please visit the Support for care leavers and estranged students web page (www.wlv.ac.uk/care) or drop an email to nolonewolves@wlv.ac.uk (with your student number).

Who can apply for this funding?

A student who is in receipt of help via the DSA for computer equipment but have to pay the 1st £200 themselves.

NB: if you are an Apprentice student you are NOT eligible to apply for Dennis Turner, but other funds may be available.  Please contact disability-inclusion@wlv.ac.uk (with your student number) stating that you are an Apprentice and would like to discuss support with an advisor.

How to apply:

To get help paying for the £200 towards your equipment costs through DSA simply complete the online application for, click the link: Support for DSA Computing Equipment form 

You will need to be logged in to office.com via your University account (university email address and IT password).  You will also need to upload the following evidence:

• DSA Letter – you can download this from your Student Finance online account under Your inbox - click the link to view the DSA2 letter then download it to save and then upload to your application

Have the evidence ready so that you can upload it during the application process (you will not be able to submit your application without it).

Please email us once you have submitted this form.

This award will be released for payment through your WLV Wallet account.  Please click this link for more information on the WLV Wallet itself.

Who can apply for this funding?

A student who needs help to pay for a full SpLD assessment.  The Dennis Turner Fund may be able to help with this cost.

NB: if you are an Apprentice student you are NOT eligible to apply for Dennis Turner but other funds may be available.   Please contact disability-inclusion@wlv.ac.uk (with your student number) stating that you are an Apprentice and would like to discuss support with an advisor.

To book an appointment:

The University has linked with three qualified Assessors with whom students can book and get the assessment done for a set price.  As long as students book with one of these we will cover the cost of the assessment for you.

1. Book with one of the following assessors by following their instructions - please email money@wlv.ac.uk with your student number requesting details on how to book
2. Once appointment booked, complete the support request form which will be linked in the email we send containing instructions on how to book.

Once we have received confirmation from the Assessor that the appointment has been booked we will release the funding.

Your report will automatically be forwarded to the Disability and Inclusion team to ensure any support you are eligible for can be put in place as soon as possible.

Even though you may still need to apply to the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), the Disability & Inclusion Team may be able to put interim support in place whilst this is completed.

If you do not want to use one of our preferred Assessors, please be aware that the fund will not be able to offer financial support for this.

External assessments can cost from £350 - £750 so it may be advisable to look around for the best price.

Book a drop-in appointment with a member of the Funding Team

If you need support with your application, or for advice on funding you can now book a drop-in appointment to speak with a member of the Funding Team by clicking the above link.

You can quickly and easily book an appointment via our online booking systems.  You can choose whether to have a face-to-face, virtual (via Teams) or phone appointment.

• A virtual booking would be if you need help with an application form, applying for the hardship fund or Student Finance for example.  This will allow you to attend using your home devices to enable us to help you more easily. 
  
  
• If you book a phone appointment please note that at the allotted time you will receive a call from with an Unknown Number or 01902 32 1000.  Please ensure you answer promptly as we will not leave a voicemail.  Make sure that, if driving, you park safely and have put your hand brake on before you answer the call.
  
  
• A face-to-face would be more useful if we needed to ring Student Finance with you to sort out your funding or if you wish to speak about your circumstance in a more confidential manner than being at home would allow.  To attend a Face-2-Face appointment, 5 minutes before the booked time please go to MD083, opposite the ASK@WLV office in the Ambika Paul (MD) building corridor, next to Harrison Library, and they will let us know you have arrived.

Please complete the online form where you can easily choose a suitable day and time. Please be as clear as you can in the description box as to why you need the appointment.  You will need to be signed in to your office.com using your university email and IT password.  If you cannot access this please drop money@wlv.ac.uk an email (including your student number) to explain and we will sort something out for you.

Once booked you will receive a confirmation email which you can link to your calendar. You will also receive a reminder email the day before, if applicable, your appointment and a text message reminder if you add your mobile phone number.

You can book a slot up to one hour prior to the time available or up to 2 weeks in advance.

If there are no suitable slots available please email money@wlv.ac.uk with your student number clearly stating why you need a slot as soon as possible and the team will do their best to accommodate you.

Please note: there are only limited slots available and we will work on a first come, first served basis.

Please keep the confirmation email in case you need to reschedule or cancel the appointment. If we need to reschedule or cancel the appointment for any reason we will do our utmost to inform you as soon as we can and offer you an alternative.

The virtual drop-in is via Teams so make sure you are logged into the Teams app on a PC/Laptop/Tablet.  This will allow for screen sharing should you need us to help with applications.

For help sharing your screen please have a look at Share content in a meeting in Teams

You can also get in contact:

by email: money@wlv.ac.uk 

or log a helpcall via the ASK@WLV tab on your e:Vision account

Make sure you include your student number in all emails to the University.

In the event that you find yourself in a financial emergency please get in touch at the details above. Please provide your full name, student number and a brief statement of your individual circumstances and we will advise you. This may include referral to food banks. 

We can only ever offer minimal help and would encourage all students who are facing additional financial hardship to seek further support from such resources such as:

• Students’ Union’s Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) - speak with a Student Money Advisor - complete their enquiry form at https://www.wolvesunion.org/advice/enquiry/
• UCAS – have their own set of budgeting tips - https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/money/budgeting/student-budgeting-tips
• Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) - can offer additional financial advice. 
• Government’s Help for Households campaign – see what support is available to help with the cost of living and find out how to save money with their energy saving tips - https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/
• Mental Health & Money Advice – helping you understand, manage & improve your mental health and money issues - https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/
• Stepchange – https://www.stepchange.org/ - they offer free, flexible debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation. They will then provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed.
• Money Helper – they have compiled a checklist of essential budgeting tips - https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/student-and-graduate-money/budgeting-for-college-or-university
• Complete university Guide – Budgeting for university - https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/after-you-start/budgeting-for-university
• Save the Student – How to budget at university - https://www.savethestudent.org/money/student-budgeting/student-budgeting.html

For additional advice for surviving on a student income have a look at Funding and budgeting webpage as it does contain tips and links that you may find useful.  Just go to www.wlv.ac.uk/budgeting-tips.