The University of Manchester is committed to supporting students facing unexpected financial difficulties through the Cost of Living Support Fund. Funded by generous donations from alumni and friends, this non-repayable support is designed to ensure that no student is left struggling.
What is the Cost of Living Support Fund?
The Cost of Living Support Fund offers financial assistance to students who find themselves unexpectedly struggling with essential living expenses such as food, utility bills, or other financial challenges. Importantly, the fund is available year-round and aims to provide timely support to those in need.
For new students starting in September 2024, please note that the fund cannot be used as a means to finance your studies. Be sure to explore other potential funding options via the University’s resources before applying.
Who Can Apply?
The fund is open to all students, regardless of study level, nationality, or background. Whether you’re struggling to cover your rent, your sponsors have withdrawn support, or you’re having difficulty transferring funds from abroad, we want to hear from you.
Before applying, you should explore all available funding sources, such as student loans or NHS bursaries, as the fund does not cover tuition fees. While the maximum award is £2,000, each application is reviewed individually.
How Are Applications Assessed?
To assist as many students as possible, we take a holistic approach to each application, considering your financial situation and any additional circumstances you may face. Be sure to provide detailed information about your situation when applying, especially if you belong to a vulnerable group, such as care leavers, estranged students, or refugees.
For further details on the assessment process, refer to section 12.4 of our guidelines.
What Can We Support?
We can assist with essential living costs like rent, utility bills, food, and travel expenses related to your studies. However, we cannot provide funding for laptops, desktops, or tablets. The fund is meant to help those experiencing unforeseen circumstances, so it’s important that you start your studies with adequate funding for your tuition fees and living costs.
How to Apply?
The application process typically takes around 30 minutes. You’ll need to submit supporting documents to help us assess your situation. Be sure to review the document checklist and have everything ready before starting the application.
You can download the application form here, and we recommend using your student ID to password-protect any documents you submit. Please note that the current assessment time is around three weeks after receiving all necessary documents.
Not Sure About Applying?
If you’re unsure whether your situation warrants an application, we encourage you to reach out. There is no shame in asking for help. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via our online enquiry form.
Additional Support
In addition to the Cost of Living Support Fund, the University offers various resources to help students manage their finances:
- Extra Financial Support: click here
- Financial Guidance: click here
- Budgeting Advice: Students’ Union Advice Team
- Emergency Loan: SU Advice Service Emergency Loan
- Foodbank: click here
- Wellbeing Support: click here
- Hazaar: click here
- Furniture4Reuse: click here
If you’re facing financial hardship, don’t hesitate to apply and get the support you need to focus on your studies.