The College and the University expect all students to have sufficient funds in place to cover the costs of their course before taking up their place. If you find yourself facing financial difficulties for reasons that you could not have anticipated when you began your course, contact your Tutor. You can then discuss your eligibility for the specific hardship funds listed below. There are notes on General Eligibility Principles and Guidance .
Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çCollege Hardship Fund
The College has a small fund to help students who encounter unexpected financial difficulties in meeting their living costs. Both undergraduates and postgraduates may apply for a Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çCollege Hardship Grant, with the exception of the following, who are not ordinarily eligible:
- Students in their first term of study (it is expected that you will have sufficient funds to cover your first term).
- Students who have not taken out Tuition or Maintenance loans for which they are eligible.
- Part-time students (as it is assumed that part-time students are covering their own living expenses through work).
- Any student who has already completed all the requirements for their degree.
- PhD students who have already completed four years of full-time study.
If you are considering applying for Hardship funding, please talk over your situation with your Tutor. Then apply using the online . Once submitted, you will automatically receive a copy of the completed form in your inbox. You should send this completed form to your Tutor and ask them to use the for their support.
Awards are small, with most ranging between £150 and £1,000, and an average award of £450. Hardship funds are only intended to help with short-term living costs, not to cover tuition fees or regular College bills, which students are expected to be able to cover before they begin their course.
There are five meetings of the Student Finance Committee per year, when the majority of applications are assessed. Deadlines for applications can be found on the Financial Support page. Applications will also be assessed between July and October as necessary. Outcome for summer applications will be announced in end September. Please contact your Tutor if you are in urgent need of help.
Funds to support students comes from Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çHardship Funds and for those with childcare costs are available from the generous benefaction of the Ujejski-Williams Fund.
Bell, Abbott & Barnes Funds for Undergraduates
This is a Cambridge University fund for undergraduate students with unforeseen financial difficulty. You must be a candidate for: BA (including affiliate students), BTh, MB, BChir, VetMB, MusB, CGCM, MEng, MMath, or MSci.
UK students must have applied for their full entitlement of student Maintenance Loan from the SLC before submitting an application to the Bell, Abbott, and Barnes Funds. Students are furthermore expected to have applied for all other statutory and institutional awards to which they are entitled. This includes the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant (or equivalent in Scotland, Wales or NI).
In addition, you should also have sought assistance from the following sources, where relevant:
- Faculty- or Department- managed funds (eg the Rebecca Flower Squire Fund for Law students),
- Hardship support from your own College
You could receive up to a maximum of £2,000 in one year, based on assessment of your need but most grants are in the range of £100 to £1,000.
University Hardship Funds
The university provides financial assistance to students who are otherwise facing exceptional and unexpected financial need. Further information can be found on the university and all students should firstly consider the .
Students are expected to have discussed their financial circumstances with their College Tutor before applying.
Regarding the Realise Financial Assistance Fund if your application is successful, you may be required to report back to the Student Funding and Fee Policy Team when you return from intermission.