University Support
The University offers support, advice and guidance in relation to finance as well as a range of grants, bursaries and scholarships.
The Money Advice Service can help with a range of student and personal finance issues and deliver free and impartial advice to all students registered on a course at the University of Cumbria irrespective of whether they are full or part time and no matter which campus they study at – or indeed even if they are distance learners.
If you need some help with anything ranging from student finance applications, problems with previous study impacting on your current funding, budgeting, specialist student financial support (such as Disabled Student Allowances or Parental Learners Allowance), managing your money or just want to chat to someone about your current financial situation in confidence we offer appointments via our online referral form as well providing assistance via email correspondence though moneyadvice@cumbria.ac.uk
Get in contact with a Money Adviser
Material Support
In addition the University has a range of direct assistance processes and procedures which, depending on your circumstances, may be able to offer material support to those in difficult financial circumstances.
The Hardship Fund can make interest free loans or non-repayable grants to those who are in evidenced financial hardship. The current circumstances of the applicant are assessed via an application form and evidence and where the case is shown to be sufficiently severe the Hardship Fund can make payments up to a maximum of £2000 in one year. Most awards are in the range of £500 - £1000. The Fund can also make interest free loans of up to £300 (£500 for those with children) to applicants whose student funding has been delayed.
Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) is a government backed benefit for those studying in Higher Education who have disabilities or specific learning difficulties. DSA is currently undergoing review however if you are a current student who has a disability or specific learning difficulty and you are not in receipt of DSA you should investigate applying.
Scholarships and Bursaries: The main University student bursary – the Cumbria Bursary – is allocated to a limited number of new first year undergraduates on arrival at University, however other smaller financial opportunities can be offered over the course of the year. These vary from one academic year to the next so it is best to check and see what might be on offer to you.
Fee discount for Postgraduate Study: Eligible University of Cumbria graduates can get up to 20% off their first postgraduate degree*. If you studied your undergraduate degree at the University of Cumbria in the last 5 years, you could receive as much as a 20% discount on taught courses, or 10% on research degrees. Find out more here
*PGCE courses not included