⚠️The UFAF opens for new applications on 20th October 2025.
- What is the University Financial Assistance Fund (UFAF)?
- Who is eligible for the UFAF?
- How are UFAF made?
- When do I need to submit my UFAF application?
- How do I make an application?
- When will I receive a decision?
- How can I appeal the decision?
- Student Funding and Financial Support
What is the University Financial Assistance Fund (UFAF)?
The UFAF provides discretionary financial assistance to home students, in the form of a non-repayable monetary award. The fund can help to alleviate unexpected financial hardship and is intended to help with essential living costs. Students who may be considering leaving higher education because of financial problems are particularly encouraged to apply.
Awards received will be offset against any outstanding accommodation debt to the University as a priority. If there is any balance remaining after, this will be paid by BACS into your nominated bank account. An award will never be paid to a student in cash.
Who is eligible for the UFAF?
UFAF is available to Home students who have applied to the appropriate funding body and are in receipt of their full entitlement. If you are an Overseas or EU student (as assessed by the Student Loans Company) please refer to our Overseas Emergency Financial Aid, Short-Term Assistant Grant and our Financial Support pages.
· The UFAF cannot be used to pay tuition fees. Any applications stating this will be rejected.
· Students must be fully registered and can only make one application per academic year unless there is an unexpected change in circumstances since their initial application.
For full information on eligibility, fund opening and closing dates and documentary evidence required, please ensure you download and read the Criteria document before submitting your application.
How are UFAF awards made?
Assessments are completed using set criteria.
Our minimum award is set at £250 and ranges up to £2,500. Award amounts are dependent on the outcome of the assessment.
The Summer Fund awards are set as £150 as a minimum and ranges up to £500.
When do I need to submit my UFAF application?
Please note, the UFAF has limited funds so we would encourage you to apply early. Once the fund’s resources have been exhausted, shortfall percentages may be reduced, or it may be closed without advanced warning prior to the deadlines provided.
For full details rgarding the fund opening and closing dates, in addition to information on eligibility and documentary evidence required to support your application, please download and read the Criteria document before submitting your application.
How do I make an application?
You will need to register online at www.blackbullion.com. Using your student email address in the following format ab20cde@herts.ac.uk. *Please note, this is an example and you should use your own details to sign in.*
The application will ask you what financial provisions you have put in place for your living costs prior to the start of the academic year, as well as asking for a description of the unexpected financial difficulties you are facing. You will also need to upload supporting evidence. If any evidence is missing or unclear in your application this may delay assessment of your application. We will request any additional evidence from you through Blackbullion.
If you would like some guidance or support with your application, we offer Drop-in Sessions with a member of the team.
Students will also be required to complete two Blackbullion e-learning modules. There is a short quiz at the end in which students will need to achieve 80% pass rate. These modules can be taken as many times as needed. Please see the Blackbullion Ask Herts page for more information.
When will I receive a decision?
An assessment and decision should be made within 4 working weeks of submission of a completed application form, including all required documentary evidence.
However, there may be times when this process may take longer than the 4 weeks outlined above; you will be notified via email if we require a longer time for the assessment to be completed.
How can I appeal the decision?
- UFAF/Summer Fund: If you are unhappy with the decision made by the Student Funding and Financial Support team and wish to appeal the decision, please see the appeal page.
Student Funding and Financial Support
Please visit our Financial Support page, which details the different forms of financial support offered by the Student Funding and Financial Support team, in addition to information regarding Blackbullion and Appointments.