OEFA
Reminder 21/03/2024
Dear students, please note that this fund is scheduled to close on 22nd March and re-open on 15th April as outlined in the OEFA Guidance.
Update 12/01/2024
Dear Student, due to a high number of applications, assessments can take over four weeks. We apologise for any inconvenience this might cause; you will receive an email from Blackbullion as soon as your application has been assessed.
To help us finalise your application sooner, please ensure you read the OEFA criteria carefully, submit three months' worth of bank statements for all your accounts, write a personal statement about your current circumstances and provide any additional evidence relevant to your personal statement. Please read the OEFA 23/24 Criteria document below for additional information.
Re-applying is not allowed.
Overseas Emergency Financial Aid (OEFA)
OEFA provides discretionary financial assistance to Overseas and EU (as assessed by the Student Loans Company) students, in the form of a non-repayable monetary award. The fund can help to alleviate unexpected and emergency financial hardship.
Eligibility
Students who wish to apply must be currently studying at the University of Hertfordshire and have an overseas fee status or be assessed as EU by the Student Loans Company (SLC); this excludes online and distance learning students. If you are a Home student, please refer to our University Financial Assistance Fund page.
For full information on eligibility and fund opening and closing dates, please see the OEFA 23/24 Criteria.
Please note that students can only make one application per academic year unless there is an unexpected change in circumstances since their initial application.
OEFA financial support fund is accessible to students with no recourse to public funding. Your eligibility is not restricted if you meet the OEFA eligibility criteria.
How to apply
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 for a description of the unexpected financial difficulties you are facing and how you would use this fund if you are successful. You will also need to upload supporting evidence. If any evidence is missing or unclear in your application, we will request this evidence from you through Blackbullion. Please read the OEFA 23/24 Criteria.
If you would like some guidance or support with your application, we offer Drop-in Sessions with a member of the team. You can find out more here.
Awards
Assessments are completed using a set of criteria. Each applicant is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and if successful, they may receive a non-repayable financial grant of up to £250. In exceptional emergency cases, a higher grant may be awarded, but you may be required to attend a meeting or provide supplementary evidence.
Timeframe
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.
OEFA Appeal
As this is a discretionary fund and decisions are final, there is no right of appeal.
If you wish to discuss the outcome of your application, please e-mail financial-support@herts.ac.uk within ten working days of receiving the decision. Please note that the SFFS team is not obliged to notify students of earlier closing date.