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SOAS Hardship Fund Application

Who Can Apply?

SOAS Hardship Funds are for undergraduate and postgraduate students registered on full-time or part-time on-campus courses.
2. I am paying fees at the 'overseas' rate. *This question is required.
2. I am  *This question is required.
2. What type of study? *This question is required.
2. I have taken the maximum Maintenance Loan I am entitled to for this year.  *This question is required.
2. I have a student bank account with interest free overdraft. *This question is required.
2. We expect to see that postgraduate students have budgeted before their studies, and have the funds to pay rent, basic living costs and course costs for the academic year. This money can come from earnings, partner’s earnings, savings, loans, benefits or other sources.

We use annually adjusted figures for this, and an assessment process that are shared with many universities in London. If you do not show evidence that you have this amount we will not assess your application. You may wish to attend a short appointment with a Student Adviser to discuss your funding options. Alternatively, please explain your current financial circumstances in the non-standard award/extra information free text box towards the end of this application.

I have an income of at least £250 per week (£200 per week if you have dependents and/or cannot work due to ill health or living at home with parents). 

  *This question is required.
2. Have you taken your full entitlement of Postgraduate Loan this academic year? *This question is required.
5. Personal details *This question is required.
This question requires a valid email address.
6. What is your personal/accommodation status. Do you live... *This question is required.
8. Academic department *This question is required.
9. What is your mode of study? *This question is required.
10. Do you have a TfL 18+ Oyster Card? *This question is required.
11. Year of study  *This question is required.
Space Cell 12345Other
12. Is this a repeat year? *This question is required.
13. Is this your final year? *This question is required.
14. Do you have any children who are financially dependent upon you? *This question is required.
15. Do you have any adults who are financially dependent on you? *This question is required.
16. Do they live with you? *This question is required.
16. Do you have a disability or chronic medical condition?

If yes, please provide us with some evidence. *This question is required.
17. If you need any support with your disability or application Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) please contact the SOAS Disability and Neurodiversity Team.

Have you applied for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)? *This question is required.
17. Do you wish to apply for any financial assistance towards any special equipment/material not covered by DSA?

This may include additional costs of a diagnostic assessment or your contribution towards a laptop.

Please include any receipts and a copy of your DSA entitlement letter.
17. Undergraduate income

Please enter the the amount per academic year you receive for each of the following. Please enter '0' if not applicable. *This question is required.
17. Postgraduate Income

Please enter the the amount per week you receive for each of the following. Please enter '0' if not applicable. *This question is required.
17. Other sources of income per week. Please enter '0' if not applicable. *This question is required.
18. Composite Living Costs

These are weekly standard figures that include your costs for food, household items, laundry, gas, electricity, water, telephone, TV licence, clothes, contents insurance, entertainment, and clubs and societies. 

Which of the following are you? *This question is required.
This question requires a valid number format.
19. Other expenditure per week. Please enter '0' if not applicable. *This question is required.
21. Bank/Building Society details
  • Any award made will be paid directly into the account stated below
  • You will be asked to supply copies of your last three months bank statements relating to the above account
  • These statements must show your name and bank details – online account scans/PDFs are fine
  • You are also required to supply copies of your last three bank statements/show savings books for any other accounts you currently have
  • Please explain any debits or credits over £100 that appear on your statements
  • Applications submitted without the required bank statements will not be considered

Confidentiality
Applications are seen only by Student Advice and Wellbeing staff. It may be necessary for additional supporting information to be sought from other university staff in order for a decision to be reached. The Student Advice and Wellbeing Department follows SOAS policy in matters of data protection. Your data will be stored securely and processed in line with the SOAS Student Privacy Notice Personal data will be used solely in the department for statistical purposes and electronic records keeping. The data will not be passed to any other third party without your consent, except when SOAS is required to do so by law. Any formal enquiries concerning the use of data noted here should be addressed to the Head of Student Advice and Wellbeing. *This question is required.
By submitting this form I declare that the information that I have given on this form is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that giving false information will automatically disqualify my application and may also lead to disciplinary procedures resulting in possible expulsion from the University. I further undertake to repay any grants obtained by me as a result.



                                                                                                        



 
22. Now please upload scans of all the relevant documents from the list below:-
  • Evidence of rent or mortgage costs
  • Bank statements (of any accounts in your name) for the past 3 months with any payment or debit over £100 highlighted and explained         
  • Proof of child benefit or children’s birth certificates
  • Proof of chronic medical condition
  • Financial Entitlement letter 2023/24 (from Student Finance)                                        
  • Postgraduate Loan letter 2023/24 (from Student Finance)                                          
  • Evidence of benefits received                                                                                  
  • Evidence of childcare costs (eg. receipts or invoices from Ofsted registered childcare) if applying for SOAS Childcare Fund. As funds are limited, we will not fund the cost of tutoring or other extra curricular activities. Evidence of childcare costs must be for a period during the 23/24 academic year.
  • Evidence of sponsorship or bursary 
  • Wage slips for past 3 months 
  • Evidence relating to any special circumstances for Non-Standard Award or exceptional/unexpected hardship
If you do not upload supporting documents we cannot assess your application.

Once we have received your application and documents we will process within 4 weeks.


If we need to ask you any questions or clarify any details, we will email you directly to do so.

Acceptable file types: png, gif, jpg, jpeg, doc, xls, docx, xlsx and pdf (maximum 10 documents) *This question is required.