Applications to the Study Support Grant must be submitted via the Wellbeing Portal

We encourage you to watch our our video guide here for step by step instructions on how to submit an application

You will need to complete all sections of the application form and provide relevant documentation. Every student's financial circumstances are different but as a minimum we ask all students to provide the following evidence 

• A supporting statement explaining your need and how the funds would assist you 
• 3 months worth of bank statements for all accounts in your name
• Proof of your rent or accommodation costs - if you don't pay these please explain it in your supporting statement
• Proof of how you fund your studies. This might include your loan entitlement letter or other documents that show how you fund your studies - if you don't have these please explain it in your supporting statements

Please provide any other documents that would help us assess your need. 

The Money Advice team will contact you directly should we need further information or documents. 

We assess your financial need across the entire academic year in which you apply. Therefore for undergraduate students we assess you for 39 weeks (September to June) and for postgraduates we make an assessment for 52 weeks (September to September or January to January). 

Standard Awards

In the first instance, we make a standard calculation of your need by looking at all of your income for the academic year i.e. your student loan, against all of your essential costs of living and study for the same period. If you have a shortfall in this calculation where your costs are higher than your income, then we will usually make you an award (see proving financial hardship and terms and conditions below). 

Non-Standard Awards

We recognise that sometimes the above calculation will not come out in your favour but that you may still be in financial difficulty. This might be due to an unexpected and significant change in your circumstances that impacts your ability to meet your essential living costs. In these instances, we can make a non-standard award to cover a specific cost(s). 

General financial difficulty

In both instances, we require students to demonstrate that they are in financial difficulty and that they have exhausted all other funds available to them before applying to the Study Support Grant.

Summer awards for undergraduates

Applications received during the summer vacation period (June to September) from continuing undergraduates will be assessed for the relevant 13 week period. We may make a standard or non-standard award. To be eligible for a summer award students must show that they are 

• Undertaking activities related to study during this period; or
• Unable to return home to parents/guardians during this period; or 
• Unable to work during this period

Completed applications will be decided within 4 weeks. If your circumstances require support earlier than this then please contact the Money Advice team as soon as possible moneymatters@rhul.ac.uk. 

To be eligible to receive a grant 

• You must be enrolled and undertaking in-person teaching 
• Applications for financial support must be received no later than 4 weeks before your official course end date

• Our assessment of your financial need will not take into account your tuition fees. Students with overdue tuition fee debt to the university will not normally be considered for an award
• We will usually use any award to clear other non-tuition fee related debt you have to the university i.e. accommodation debt or a short-term loan 
• Study Support Grants are usually only awarded once a year unless a student can demonstrate a change in circumstances within the same academic year that has impacted their finances
• You must have completed the Blackbullion 'Budgeting 101' pathway before being awarded 
• You will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions at the point you submit your application via the Wellbeing portal.