Cost of Living Support Fund

Section 1: Overview

What is it?

Our Cost of Living Support Fund is a University scheme that exists thanks to generous donations from alumni and friends who want to ensure that no University of Manchester student is left struggling. 

The Cost of Living Support Fund provides financial support to students who are unexpectedly suffering financial hardship. The expectation is that new or returning students registering in September should not be in immediate financial need. Therefore, the decision has been taken to suspend online applications to the Cost of Living Support Fund throughout September 2024.

However, we recognise there will always be exceptions therefore students who do find themselves in unexpected financial hardship should contact the Advice & Response Team using the referral form in section 4, who can then review the need and if necessary, make a referral to the Cost of Living Support Fund.

Please note from 1st October online applications to the Cost of Living Support Fund will resume, and any student who finds themselves in immediate unexpected financial need should consider applying to the Fund.

You can find information on potential funding opportunities available whilst at University here. 

Section 2: How are applications assessed?

This fund is intended to assist as many students as possible, so we have designed a specific assessment process to determine the level of assistance that we may be able to offer you. For detailed information on our assessment process please refer to our guidelines, in particular section 12.4 relating to 'non-essential' expenditure. 

When assessing applications we take a holistic approach, considering students' financial circumstances, alongside any specific elements of need or disadvantage.

Please provide as much detail as possible regarding your situation in your supporting statement, so that we can consider all matters when assessing your application.

For example, this might include highlighting if you fall into one of the following categories, and the challenges that might present:

• Care leavers and care experienced students
• Estranged students
• Widening Participation students
• Students with refugee or asylum seeker status

Section 3: What can we support?

We can support students with living costs they may be struggling to meet whilst studying, including accommodation costs, utilities, food shopping, study related costs e.g. placement travel costs etc. However, note that this does not include laptops/desktops/tablets.

Please note that this fund is to help students experiencing unforeseen circumstances or unexpected financial hardship. Therefore, we generally can only support students who have started their course with adequate funding in place.

What do we mean by adequate funding? 

We would expect students to commence their studies with adequate funding in place to cover both their tuition fees and expected living costs - these are published on our website: Cost of Living.

Section 4: Application process

For the month of September, the CoLSF will reopen on a referral basis – please contact the Advice & Response Team using the referral form below, who can then review the need and if necessary, make a referral to the Cost of Living Support Fund.

Referral form

Section 5: Unsure about making an application? 

Even if you believe that your situation isn't as serious as some of your peers, if you're struggling with financial hardship we can support you. There is no shame in asking for help.

If you have questions or problems with the application process, please contact us via our online enquiry form.

Section 6: Further support 

• Extra Financial Support: click here
• Financial guidance: click here
• Budgeting guidance: Student Union Advice Team
• Emergency Loan: Advice service emergency loan
• Student Union Recreation Grant: click here
• Foodbank: click here
• General wellbeing support: click here