Support for students experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties.
The information on this page is correct for the 2025/26 academic year.
Overview
The Hallam Hardship Fund offers one-off payments to support students experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties. It is intended to help cover essential living costs and ease short-term financial pressure that may affect your ability to continue your studies.
The support we offer may not always be financial, and we may invite you to an appointment to discuss alternative funding and support.
If financial difficulties are affecting your mental health, the Student Wellbeing service provides support and resources that you may find useful.
What you could receive
Normally, awards will not exceed £600.
How are applications assessed
There is no automatic entitlement to an award and applications are assessed on their individual merits.
When assessing your application, we will consider the following factors that may support your eligibility for financial support:
- You had a reasonable plan in place to fund your studies before enrolling.
- Your financial difficulties were unforeseeable.
- There is a risk of harm without financial support.
- Your financial situation is having a significant impact on your ability to study.
We will also consider the following factors that may limit your eligibility for financial support:
- You have access to other significant sources of funding or savings.
- Your bank statements show a high level of non-essential spending.
- Your spending habits have not changed following the onset of your financial difficulties.
- You have prioritised non-essential costs (socialising for example) over essential costs (rent or priority bills for example).
- Your financial situation appears unsustainable even with additional support.
Who can apply
You can apply if you:
- are studying a taught credit-bearing course or research degree at Sheffield Hallam University during the 2025/26 academic year,
- have ‘home’ fee status,
- are studying a course that attracts a fee payable directly to Sheffield Hallam University, and
- have a UK bank account in your name.
If you receive benefits and/or any other financial support, it is your responsibility to check whether receiving an award will affect your entitlement(s)/payments.
If you are an international student, you should apply for the International Emergency Fund.
When to apply
Applications are open throughout the academic year. However, if all available funds have been allocated, applications may close before the end of the academic year.
How to apply
You will need to submit an application form. The form will ask you for:
- Information about your personal circumstances.
- Information about your unforeseen financial difficulties.
- Funding and benefit entitlement letters.
- Bank statements.
- Relevant supporting evidence.
You must read the terms and conditions and the guidance on providing bank statements before applying.
