Application-Emergency Financial Support Fund

Please return your completed form to hardshipfund@mrcollege.ac.uk

Please do not apply using this application form if your circumstances do not qualify as urgent as the application will automatically be refused, and you will have to reapply using the Mature Student Hardship Fund application. For more information and the eligibility criteria, please read the Financial Support Policy.

Opens mid-September 23 and closes mid-July 24

Before completing the form, please read the Financial Support Policy published on the MRC website.

If you require further clarification or assistance, please contact The MRC Finance Department: hardshipfund@mrcollege.ac.uk.

Please note:

  • Your application will not proceed until all parts of the form are complete, and all the necessary documentary evidence is received.
  • Please make sure the form is signed and dated.
  • The application will be assessed within 5 working days from applying
  • Your application will be considered in the strictest confidence, and you will be notified of the outcome via an e-mail or text.

General Information:

  • There is no guarantee the money in the fund will last until the end of the academic year.
  • MRC Emergency Financial Support Fund may not be able to financially support every application received and may be unable to meet all of the costs you are applying for.

Eligibility Criteria

It should not be assumed that the student would automatically receive the grant.
The discretionary fund is for the students that meet the below criteria:

  • The student’s household income is of £25,000 or less as assessed by Student Finance England
  • Student can demonstrate that they have exhausted all other options of financial support. For example, account overdrafts, student loans, grants, benefits, assistance from family, savings and part-time earnings.
  • Student Finance England should have approved the full student’s loan for the applicable academic year (tuition and maintenance loan). The letter of approval should be provided as part of an application for financial support.
  • Students must have received their first instalment of SFE funding.
  • Not in receipt of sponsorship from their employer or other sources
  • Minimum attendance requirement of 80%
  • Successful completion of each term to continue receiving the awarded financial support
  • Any financial support awarded will immediately cease if a student suspends/withdraws from the course.
  • A student has to demonstrate a need for financial assistance, as a result of unforeseen changes in their financial circumstances.
  • Students must not have any outstanding tuition fees due to MRC when applying for the MRC Emergency Financial Support Fund. No financial support can be provided towards payment of tuition fees under any circumstances.
  • Students can apply only once
  • Applicant must be UK/ Home student.
  • Priority will be given to students having special circumstances: coming from local authority care, estranged from their families, carers with responsibility for caring for others, students with disabilities in receipt of Income support or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Universal Credit in place of Income Support or ESA and meeting the eligibility criteria.
  • The financial support will be awarded depending on the individual students circumstances until the fund of £25,000 is exhausted.

All applicants are required to sign a declaration about the accuracy of the information they supply to support their application. Providing false and/ or withholding information will result in automatic disqualification from the fund and may result in disciplinary action

Standard awards

Standard awards can help to meet general costs associated with being a student such as living costs, e.g. rent, food, and utility bills as well as with course-related expenses such as travel, books and childcare.

The fund is not for

  • Meeting tuition fee costs
  • Maintaining student’s lifecycle
  • Those showing Gambling/betting habits
  • Those showing excessive spending

Non-Standard awards:

  • Can help to meet exceptional one-off costs, such as repairs to essential household equipment and assistance with priority debts etc.
  • Disabled Students can apply for assistance with costs not met by their DSA (Disabled Student’s Allowance).
  • Emergencies, e.g. travel costs for family illness, bereavement etc. can be considered.

Payment of awards:

The amount paid will be based on funds available and the number of qualifying applicants Students in receipt of state benefits

Awards may have implications for the students’ entitlement to Welfare Benefits. Students who receive help from the MRC fund can request from the College a document of award confirmation to present to their local Jobcentre Plus/Housing Benefit office if required.

How to Appeal:

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your application, there are two stages of recourse available to you – review and appeal.

ESD: Date of Receipt:

MRC Emergency Financial Support Fund

  • Incomplete applications will not be considered
  • Attach copies of all relevant supporting documents / evidence (see checklist page )
  • Answer all questions, by printing clearly and by ticking the appropriate boxes
  • Please return your completed form to: hardshipfund@mrcollege.ac.uk