Are you in immediate financial crisis?
We understand there are times when you might be in unexpected financial crisis due to unforeseen circumstances - most of us have been there and we know how stressful it can be. There are several options available to help get you back on your feet.
These aren't designed as long-term solutions, however, so we recommend booking an appointment with our Advice Centre or the Uni's Student Funding team.
Hallam Hardship Fund
The Hallam Hardship Fund supports students experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties. It's available for one-off payments to home students in financial crisis that might impact on your participation at university. The fund is strictly limited and awards are subject to available funds. There is no automatic entitlement to an award and all applications are considered on their individual merits.
To apply, you'll need to provide bank statements, the amount you're applying for and why, and a supporting statement. Try not to worry about this or being judged for your spending - we've all done a bit of retail therapy or spent too much at McDonald's when hungover - the application isn't trying to catch you out and the process is designed to be fair and transparent.
International Emergency Fund
International students experiencing financial hardship due to an emergency or a significant, unexpected, and unforeseen change in circumstances may be eligible for a loan or grant from the International Emergency Fund. However, strict rules apply and students with tuition fee debt are not eligible to apply.
Exceptional Support Fund
Students on certain health courses might be able to access the NHS Exceptional Support Fund, which can help with essential living costs if you've exhausted all other emergency support options. You must have applied for the Hallam Hardship Fund first, but you can still apply for this fund whether you've been successful or not.
Log into your NHS Learning Support Fund account to apply, then email a copy of your completed form to studentfunding@shu.ac.uk who will countersign your application. You'll then need to email your completed form and supporting evidence to nhsesf@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
Emergency vouchers
If you find yourself in immediate financial crisis and are struggling to afford food, toiletries, or other personal/essential items and have no other alternative, SHU can provide Emergency Vouchers worth £35 to help. You have to provide a supporting bank statement when requesting a voucher and, if successful, vouchers can be spent at any Tesco store.
Currently only home students are eligible, and you'll need to be logged into the website to apply.
Emergency food
If you're struggling to buy food, Voluntary Action Sheffield have created a Food Provision Map which signposts to where you can access free food, including Sheffield's foodbanks. They are located throughout the city, with the closest locations being:
- S6 Foodbank: 29 min walk or 10 min drive from City Campus | 35 min walk or 9 min drive from Collegiate
- Burngreave Food bank: 22 min walk or 8 min drive from City Campus | 43 min walk or 13 min drive from Collegiate
If you're in a position where you're unable to pay for food, you should also contact your Personal Tutor or the SHU Emergency Funding team.
Debt support
Whilst it can be easy to get into debt, especially right now, it's not always easy to see a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to getting out of debt. Things like interest free overdrafts, credit cards, and buy now pay later schemes have made it easier than ever to spend money on both essential and luxury items, and it can be easy to get carried away. Our Advice Centre offers free, confidential, and tailored advice and support for students struggling with debt, including self-help guides and one-to-one support with managing priority and non-priority debts. Contact the Advice Centre to make an appointment.
Gambling
In our 2023 Cost of Living survey, 61% of Hallam students told us they relied on credit or other support just to get by, with 19% using money from their student loan to gamble. We've put together a Guide to Recovery on Gambling & Debt, with links to further support for those affected.
GamCare also provides information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. They operate the National Gambling Helpline, provide treatment for anyone who is harmed by gambling, and create awareness about safer gambling and treatment. You can access their helpline on 0808 8020 133, via online chat, or through their forum and chatrooms.
Buy now, pay later
'Buy now, pay later' (BNPL) schemes such as Klarna and Clearpay have made it easier than ever to spend money on both essential and luxury items, but it's easy to get carried away. It's important to remember that whilst tempting, these services are essentially entering you into a debt agreement which must be repaid. It can be a helpful way to help spread the cost of big purchases, but remember to keep in mind how the monthly repayments might impact your budget.
Blackbullion have put together an overview of the risks of BNPL schemes.
Stop Loan Sharks
We've been made aware of loan sharks targeting students, and in particular international students. Loan sharks are unregistered lenders who offer undocumented loans of money, repaid with huge rates of interest. Loan sharks often use threatening and violent behaviour to make you repay, and behaviour can escalate quickly. Unregistered lending is illegal in the UK, and if you do need to borrow money then you should do so only from registered lenders such as a bank or building society.
Stop Loan Sharks offers support to victims of loan sharks and provides useful information if you think you're being targeted.
You can report suspicious lending online or by calling 0300 555 2222.