Wolfson College

College Hardship Fund

The College Hardship Fund is a discretionary fund intended to provide short-term financial support for students experiencing unforeseeable financial difficulties. To be awarded a loan or grant students must be enrolled and be in good academic standing. Doctoral students who have submitted their thesis are not eligible for a hardship grant, although applications for a loan may be considered. All applications are considered on a case by case basis. Exceptionally, a further award may be made, but the fund is not able to provide long-term recurrent support for students. Applications for hardship funds are considered by the Senior Tutor and Bursar. There is an appeals panel headed by the Vicegerent and including two other fellows. To apply, please complete the College Hardship Application Form and return it to the Academic Office.

There are also University Hardship Funds to which you may be eligible to apply.[1] Please contact the Senior Tutor.

Procedures

  • Applications are made to the Senior Tutor on the form for this purpose. Sometimes the Senior Tutor initiates a review of a student’s finances when debt problems become apparent (battels or fees not paid).
  • Both the Senior Tutor and the Bursar, in consultation with the College Accountant if required, review all applications for a general hardship grant.
  • The Senior Tutor can make emergency grants. For example, for urgent medical care or travel assistance to visit a seriously ill parent.
  • The Senior Tutor and Bursar will agree on whether a student is offered a hardship grant, a loan or a combination of the two. If awarded, a record is kept in the student electronic file. Awards from this fund are usually to the value of £500 - £1,000.

Note: In accordance with the University Hardship Committee policy, the need to extend D Phil studies beyond a third year is not, per se, accepted as a course for unforeseen hardship, nor are difficulties due to any but the most extreme currency fluctuation.

Students whose financial situation is considered unsustainable are unlikely to be given a Hardship Award. The Hardship Fund cannot act as a substitute funding body for students without scholarships.

Wolfson College

Senior Tutor’s Loan/Hardship Grant Application Form

1. Personal details(fields will expand to fit contents)

Family name: / First Name:
Degree sought: / Subject:
Course start (e.g. MT10): / Final term/deadlineto submit (e.g. TT13):
Number of terms’ fees already paid: / No. of terms’ College Continuation fee paid (normally DPhils after 9 terms or DTC after 12):
No. of terms’ suspension to date (if any): / No. of terms’ extension to date (if any):
Supervisor: / Supervisor’s email:
Your address: / Your email:
Partnered: YES/NO / Children: YES/NO Ages:
Does your partner currently reside at the above address? YES/NO / Do your children currently reside at the above address? YES/NO

2. Outgoings

Fee Liability: / £
Annual Living Expenses: / £
Rent: / £
Utilities: / £
Food: / £
Car: / £
Nursery Expenses: / £
Other: / £
Total / £

3. Income

Grants/Awards – Type: / £
Student Loan: / £
Other Loans: / £
Family Support: / £
Personal Resources: / £
Earnings (Self/partner): / £
Other income: / £
Total / £

Please attach written evidence of any other applicationsfor financial assistance that you have sought and the outcomes.

4. Reasons for requesting a Hardship Grant or Loan and justification of amount required:

5. Projected plan for future income and a repayment schedule for a loan:

Name (BLOCK CAPITALS):
Signature (not required if returned by email): / Date:

6. Payment

Your application will be considered by the Senior Tutor and Bursar. Should your application be successful, you will be notified by the Academic Office. To ensure that you receive any money awarded as quickly as possible, please state your preferred payment method below.

Would you prefer:Cheque☐Bank transfer☐

If you would prefer a bank transfer, please provide the following details:

Bank name and location:
Sort code:
Account number:
Account holder’s name:

______

7. College use only

Senior Tutor:

Loan/Grant Agreed: £ / Senior Tutor:
Date: / Bursar:

Accountant:

Repayment Start Date:
Amount and Interval: / £
Review Date:

Revision date: 2 August 2016

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[1] and for UK students