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What is the Financial Hardship Fund?
- This is a discretionary fund (provided by the Department for the Economy) for Home fee status/GB* students who are unable to meet their daily living expenses, due to the cost of attending University.
- Students must show that they started the academic year with sufficient funding to cover their Tuition fees and daily living costs.
- Students can submit one application per academic year (the academic year runs from September to August). Any awards paid are one-off grants, and as such, do not need to be repaid.
- Not all students that apply may receive an award.
- Awards can only be paid into UK Sterling bank accounts.
- The fund cannot be used to meet the cost of tuition fees nor a student's lifestyle.
- Successful applicants should be advised that payments from the fund may have implications for entitlement to social security benefits. Please check with your Social Security office for more information.
* Home fee status/GB students are those that meet the residency criteria in their relevant Student Funding jurisdiction within Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and ROI.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Home fee status/GB students studying at Ulster University in Northern Ireland
- Students in receipt of full student loans, grants or bursaries (where applicable)
- Students completing a Full-time or Part-time course (studying at least 30 credits)
- Students completing an Undergraduate, Postgraduate taught or Postgraduate research course
- Those facing financial difficulties in paying their daily living costs due to the cost of coming to university
- Students who are on a leave of absence due to ill-health, caring responsibilities or on maternity leave may also apply.
Who is NOT eligible to apply?
- Overseas / EU students
- Students who have not taken the full student loans, grants or bursaries available to them
- Students who are registered for exams only
- Students who are on a year-out/gap year
- Students who have gambling, erratic or high non-course related spending
- Students who have already submitted an application earlier in the academic year
How to apply
- The fund opens mid-October to mid-July each year.
- Applications are accessed via our online platform
- Students must upload all supporting evidence to their application, before submission.
- To proceed with an application, simply click on the link in the blue box below (only available when the fund is open).
- Students are asked to allow 20 working days, from the date all supporting evidence has been received, for applications to be fully processed.
If you have any queries regarding the fund, please email sma@ulster.ac.uk
The fund is now open.
The fund will close to final year students on 30th April 2026. The fund will close for the academic year on Thursday 9th July 2026 at 5pm.
Additional financial support
If you are facing financial hardship, or simply want to ensure you are making the most of your money, check out our advice and guidance below.
You can download a copy of our Student Money Magazine and access other resources from our Student SharePoint website.
We will be hosting face-to-face Mind Your Money workshops on all campuses throughout the academic year. To register, visit the events pages.
Options for all students
- Ensure you are in full receipt of the full funding available to you through your local Student Funding body (UK/EU students) or in your home country (international students)
- Visit our ‘Self-funded study / Additional Sources of Funding’ section via the following relevant link to see what sources of support you may be eligible to apply for Undergraduate Funding or Postgraduate Funding
- If you have not already done so, speak with your bank regarding a student account, with access to an interest free overdraft. Visit our Banking section for information on the different types of accounts available.
- For local part-time work, or to apply to be a UU Ambassador, check out Employability & Graduate Futures online job search tool Sign In | Handshake. They also have tailored support specifically for International students.
- Visit the student guide for Budgeting and Money management support including our Money Savings Resources
- To ensure you are getting the most out of your budget, visit Budgeting | MoneyHelper
- If you are currently repaying credit cards/loans and need help, please visit Money troubles | MoneyHelper for free and confidential advice and support.
- Visit our Money Pitfalls page to ensure you are up to date with the latest Scams, and what to avoid, to make your money go further.
- If you are a UK resident and were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, please see the following link for how you can search for your Trust Fund, if not already accessed Child Trust Funds: how to find and reclaim old accounts - MSE
Those with Dependents / Disabilities
- Budgeting Loan - Support available to those in receipt of certain social security benefits, resident of Northern Ireland.
- Extra Financial Support - Support available to those in receipt of certain social security benefits, resident of Northern Ireland.
- Sure Start Maternity Grant - Support available to those in receipt of certain social security benefits, resident of Northern Ireland, who are pregnant or have a dependent under 20 years old who is pregnant.
Community support
- Turn 2 Us - Search for grants available in your local area.
- Advice NI - Support and advice on Benefits, Debt, Tax Credits and other HMRC services for UK students
- Family Support NI- Information on a wide range of family support services and registered childcare provision for residents of Northern Ireland
- Search for FREE and impartial advice with money via Money Helper (Government back and Provided by the Money and Pension Service).
- If you are struggling with debt please read our Dealing With Debt information on how to access Free Confidential Advice or visit FREE Debt Advice
Ulster University non-financial supports
- Student Wellbeing - Non-academic support, including emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.
- UUSU Advice Bureau - Supporting students with Academic, Housing and Welfare issues
- Chaplaincy - A place where you can relax, find a listening ear, get involved and meet new friends.
- Student Success Centre - Get access to academic and study skills resources and support throughout your learning journey to enhance your experience at Ulster University.
In this section
Supporting Evidence
All students must submit evidence in support of their application. See below for what is required.
Apply for the Fund
Find out how Home fee status/GB Students can apply to the financial hardship fund.
