Weekend Study Hardship Support

The following information sets out how the University will utilise its Access Fund in respect of current Bath Spa University students affected by the Department for Education (“DfE”) /Student Loans Company (“SLC”)’s decision to cease maintenance payments and freeze student loan accounts. 

This hardship support is being put in place to assist students in addressing any immediate financial hardship they may experience as the result of the DfE/SLC’s actions. It is not offered by way of an admission on the University’s part that it is responsible for the decisions that have been taken and implemented by the DfE or the SLC.

How it works

• The fund is intended to support students who have been significantly financially disadvantaged by the recent DfE and SLC action regarding in-person weekend-only study
• The fund provides short-term support to cover immediate hardship needs whilst the matter is resolved. This means we can provide temporary help with some day-to-day essential living costs but would not cover tuition fees or rental/deposit payments. There will be a two week application window from 15 April 2026 to 1 May 2026
• Awards are made at the University’s sole discretion and are paid in the form of a non-repayable support payment. The University’s decision as to what will be paid will be final and there will not be any right of appeal
• Students who need support with the costs of travel to attend campus will typically be awarded £50 per week as standard. Up to 4 weeks support will be provided, normally in a single payment
• Applications will also be considered for urgent support needed with childcare and essential living costs as a direct result of the SLC payment being blocked, and every application will be considered. Evidence to support the award of these costs will need to be provided and the amount awarded may differ from the amount applied for as funds are limited and have to be prioritised (the University will give particular consideration to students with known disabilities). The maximum combined award per student for childcare and essential living costs is £400
• Decisions should normally be communicated to the student in writing within 5 working days from the date of receipt of application.

You can apply to this fund if you fulfil all of the below criteria.

• You are:
  • A current student of Bath Spa University fully registered and currently in attendance on an undergraduate programme at our Canary Wharf or Hackney sites
  • You have been attending in person exclusively at weekends
  • You have been in receipt of SLC Student Maintenance Loan funding and it has been blocked as a result of the recent DfE/SLC decision
• You are a home UK student (ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of your course, settled status)
• You have no other available funds (including available overdraft).

Supporting Documentation is required in all cases.

• You will need to provide the following evidence: (i) evidence of your eligibility to receive a student loan (this should be confirmed in your entitlement letter from Student Finance England); and (ii) evidence that your student loan has been blocked by the SLC as a result of in-person weekend-only study
• For those seeking support with attendance/travel costs, the University will be entitled to check that you have complied with your attendance requirements while on your course and to take this into account when determining eligibility for this support. If you have not complied with your attendance requirements and there is a good reason for that, please provide supporting evidence with your application
• The University will check that you’ve completed your digital ID check using our Yoti service; and invite you to complete this first if not.