Student ExperienceFunding & financial support team

The Funding and Financial Support team is here to help. If you need assistance in meeting your essential living costs or meeting exceptional essential costs you can apply for assistance:

Do not worry if you're not sure which fund to apply to, email us for more guidance.

We continue to offer support and guidance on:

  • Eligibility when applying to SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland), SFE (Student Finance England), Wales and Northern Ireland 
  • The financial implications of academic decisions, for example, registration with attendance or academic suspension

Advice hub

Letters (Council Tax/Bank/Status)

Finance office

Student financial support appeals procedure

The University of Strathclyde Student Financial Support Appeals Procedure (pdf) relates to appeals against financial awards made by the University's Funding & Financial Support Team including, but not limited to, the Discretionary Fund, Childcare Fund and Financial Support Funds.

When making a nil award to a student, the Funding & Financial Support Team will always provide details on the reason for their decision.

Students can only appeal against a nil award from a fund, and appeals will only be considered on the following two grounds:

  • where a student can provide additional information in support of an appeal which was not available at the time of the original decision

and/or

  • where a student can demonstrate why they feel the Funding and Financial Support Team have made an error in the reasoning for their decision

Find out more about funding support

The Discretionary Fund is intended to assist students who are in, or may be facing, severe financial difficulty. EU students (not in receipt of a Student Loan) and international students are not eligible to apply.

You can apply if:

  • you're a UK student or otherwise meet the residence requirements for a student loan (even if you cannot actually get a loan because you are part time or a postgraduate)
  • you think there will be a shortfall between your income and your reasonable expenditure between now and the end of the academic year
  • if you're a full time undergraduate or PGDE student, you have applied for your full Student Loan and have received your award notice and payment schedule

The Childcare Fund can help with a contribution towards the costs of formal/registered childcare costs. To be eligible, you must be

  • Scottish-domiciled
  • a full-time undergraduate student who receives tuition fee support and have applied for full funding entitlement from SAAS

or,

  • Scottish-domiciled
  • a postgraduate student who receives a living cost loan from SAAS

Formal childcare includes registered childminders, after-school clubs, day care, sitter services and providers of pre-school and education. Proof of current formal/registered childcare costs must be provided.

Informal childcare costs (for example, non-registered childminder, friend, family member) may be considered via the Discretionary Fund.

No. Discretionary Fund and Childcare Fund payments are non-repayable grants.

When we assess your first application we will usually calculate your needs for the full academic year. You can make another application but you'll need to explain how your circumstances have changed significantly and how you spent the money from a previous award.

Yes, if you're a “Home” or "Rest of UK" student.

Yes, if you're a “Home” or "Rest of UK" student.

Yes. You may still have a budget shortfall. If you're a full time student we'll also consider how many hours it is reasonable for you to work during term time.

The Discretionary/Childcare Fund covers basic living expenses, study-related costs, childcare and travel. We do not pay Tuition Fees, and we cannot support high spending on unnecessary items. If you're in financial difficulty because of poor budgeting, we may be able to help, but you'll also need to get your spending on track.

The fund cannot make awards to assist students with travel costs related to periods of exchange or study abroad.

If you submit your form with all the necessary documentation. we aim to assess your application within four working weeks. At busy times, it may take up to six weeks to complete the process. We'll notify you by email of our decision.