Access Fund

We believe that accessing opportunities to make friends and participating in extra-curricular activities are important for our students to establish a strong support network for better wellbeing and a more enriching learning experience during their studies. Therefore, we are launching the Access Fund this year; any student of the University of Leicester is supported by the Leicester Students’ Union and can apply for the Access Fund should they encounter financial barriers or hardship in participating in societies, sports clubs, networks, and SU activities. 

Whether through full coverage or partial support, we make every effort to support you on your journey as a student at the University of Leicester, helping you to thrive, belong, and succeed.

Application Form: Access Fund 25.26 Application Form

Please read the Application Guidance before applying

EligibilityYou are eligible to apply if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Enrolled UoL student facing financial difficulties.
• Receiving Maintenance Loan or UoL Tuition fee and maintenance loans
• Facing financial pressure because of a disability or wellbeing 
• You are a parent or carer that never joined a society/club
• You are an international student who is facing additional costs because of your immigration/VISA status or never joined a society/club 
• You are a postgraduate students that never joined a society/club
• You are a distance learning student that never joined a society/club

What areas of support can you get help with?      

• Full or partial cover of membership fee to a club or society, depends on the cost of the memberships. 
• Purchase of essential specialist items to take part in a sport club, i.e competition kit, sports hijab, boxing gloves or cheerleading shoes.          
• Additional costs to taking part in a club/society/community as a result of a disability or accessibility need. 
• SU organised ticketed activities (case by case)  

Committees may apply for financial support via Grant Funding for equipment which helps to make your club/society more inclusive and accessible.   

Examples of what can’t be included: university’s gym (sports) membership, society or club merchandise, physiotherapy, social events or trips of the society or club you are joining.

Please note that the minimum process time for an application will be 2 weeks, and it will be longer, up to 4 weeks, if the total amount in total is higher or when staff capacity is limited
The Activities Team reviews each application on a case-by-case basis. When assessing applications, the Activities Team will consider the number of eligibility criteria met and the following points: 

• Has the applicant provided a clear rationale for applying for support to take part in Students’ Union-led societies/sports or activities
• Is the applicant facing circumstances that are preventing them from taking part in their chosen ocieties/sports or activities

 Please note that the application process is a competitive one and not all applications will be successful. The decision of the department is final. 

If the total requested amount exceed the funding available to you, your application may be rejected, or it will be issued as a refund/reimbursement with the amount you were granted instead

Confidentiality
Applications are only seen by relevant members of staff from the Students’ Union.