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- What is the University Financial Assistance Fund (UFAF) and Summer Fund?
- Who can apply for the UFAF?
- How are UFAF awards assessed?
- What are the UFAF opening and closing dates?
- How to make an application through Blackbullion?
- How long does a decision take?
- How do I appeal a UFAF decision?
- Student Funding and Financial Support
What is the University Financial Assistance Fund (UFAF) and Summer Fund?
The University Financial Assistance Fund (UFAF) and Summer Fund provide non-repayable financial support for eligible home students experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
The funds are designed to help with essential living costs.
- Available to eligible home students facing financial difficulties.
- Intended to support essential living expenses.
- Particularly aimed at students considering leaving their course because of financial hardship.
- Any outstanding University accommodation debt will be cleared first from any award made.
- Any remaining balance will be paid directly into your bank account by BACS through our payment disbursement partner Aspire. Payments are never made in cash.
Who can apply for the UFAF?
UFAF is available to eligible home students who:
- Have applied to the correct funding body.
- In receipt of their full funding entitlement, inclusive of the NHS LSF (for applicable courses)
- Are fully registered at the University.
Please note:
- Overseas and EU students (as assessed by Student Finance) are not eligible. Visit the Financial Support page or contact financial-support@herts.ac.uk for advice.
- The UFAF cannot be used to pay tuition fees. Applications for tuition fee support will be rejected.
- You can usually have only one assessment per academic year unless your circumstances change unexpectedly.
Before applying please download and read the UFAF criteria document for:
· Full eligibility requirements and exclusions list
· Opening and closing dates
· Details of how you will be assessed
· Required supporting evidence
How are UFAF awards assessed?
Applications are assessed against the published criteria. Eligibility does not guarantee an award.
- Award amounts are dependent on the outcome of the assessment.
- The minimum UFAF award is set at £250 and ranges up to £2,500.
- Summer Fund awards are usually between £150 and £500.
What are the UFAF opening and closing dates?
For the fund opening and closing dates, please download and read the criteria document
The fund may close early, prior to the published dates if all available funding is allocated.
Funding is limited, so early application is advised.
How to make an application through Blackbullion?
- Register with Blackbullion using your University student email address.
- Complete the application ensuring you explain the financial provisions you put in place for your living costs prior to the start of the academic year, as well as the unexpected financial difficulties you are currently facing.
- Upload all required supporting evidence.
- Complete the two required Blackbullion e-learning modules and quizzes.
- Achieve at least 80% in each quiz. You can retake the modules as many times as needed.
For further guidance you can visit the Blackbullion page.
Missing or unclear evidence may delay your application.
Additional information and/or evidence may be requested by the team through the Blackbullion platform. This must be provided through the platform within the given timeframe to avoid you application being closed.
If you require advise or support completing your application, please book a Drop-in Session with a member of the team.
How long does a decision take?
- Decisions are usually made within four working weeks of receiving a completed application and all supporting evidence.
- If your application takes longer to assess, you will be contacted by email.
How do I appeal a UFAF or Summer Fund decision?
If you are unhappy with a decision made by the Student Funding and Financial Support team, you can appeal.
Visit the Hardship Fund Appeals page for information about the appeals process.
Student Funding and Financial Support
Visit the Financial Support page to find information about:
- Financial support available from the University
- Blackbullion
- Financial Support appointments
- Other funding and support options available to students
Need help? Contact the Student Funding and Financial Support team or attend a Financial Support drop-in session for advice before applying.