How to Apply for Hardship Support - Two Routes You Need to Know
How to Apply for Hardship Support
DfE told providers to support affected students. PoliticsHome reports that Phillipson instructed universities to "take immediate action." SLC also has its own hardship process. These are two different routes. You should know both.
Route 1: Your Provider's Hardship Fund
DfE's letter told providers to put hardship funding in place for affected students. Some have already acted.
GBS students: GBS has launched a "weekend hardship fund." Applications go to wellbeing@globalbanking.ac.uk with the subject line "Weekend Hardship Fund." GBS terms from the application form: interest free, no repayment until SFE payments resume, £50/week standard for attendance costs, 4 weeks paid at once, decision within 2 working days. GBS has also added extra food bank stock on each campus.
One important detail. GBS describes these as hardship fund loans, not grants. Ask before you accept: what are the terms? When do you repay? What interest, if any? Get this in writing.
Other providers may have similar funds. Contact your lead provider's student finance team in writing. Ask what hardship support is available and how to apply.
Route 2: SLC Hardship Deferral
Wonkhe's latest analysis identifies a second protection. SLC has a financial hardship process specifically for overpayment recovery.
Has your finance been reduced to recover an overpayment? And does that cause hardship? SLC may arrange a more affordable repayment. This could mean deferring recovery from your future entitlement.
This protection matters most if you switch to weekday delivery. Your future maintenance would normally be reduced to recover the overpayment. If that reduction causes hardship, you can apply.
The problem: Wonkhe notes that most provider FAQs do not mention this option. Students may not know it exists until after they have already made decisions about switching courses. You know now.
What to Do
Apply to both routes. They are separate processes. One does not exclude the other.
For your provider: email their student finance team. Ask specifically about hardship support for weekend course students. Reference DfE's instruction to providers.
For SLC: has your maintenance been reduced or stopped? Contact SLC. Ask about the financial hardship process. The student-facing guidance confirms this option exists.
Keep records of every communication. Email, not phone.
Free advice is available from NASMA and Citizens Advice.
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Sources: DfE / PoliticsHome · Wonkhe — financial emergency (31 Mar 2026) · SLC financial hardship guidance · NASMA · Citizens Advice