Unexpected Financial Needs Fund
Key information
- Cash payment
- Up to £2,000 (this amount is not guaranteed and will depend on the outcome of assessment)
- Award length
- One-off payment
- Study level
- Fee status
- Home (UK), International
- Number of awards available
- Variable.
- Student type
- Current
- Applications open
- October 2026
Still unsure if this is for you? Then please
About the Unexpected Financial Needs Fund
The Unexpected Financial Needs Fund exists thanks to generous donations from alumni and friends who want to ensure that no University of Manchester student is left struggling. The fund is open all year long, it is non-repayable and can help students overcome food insecurity, support them with utility bills, and address any other issues arising from financial hardship.
Please note that this fund is to help students experiencing unforeseen circumstances or unexpected financial hardship. Therefore, we can only support students who have started their course with adequate funding in place. This fund should not be considered as a potential means of funding your studies, and any applications for this reason will be unsuccessful.
Awards are granted on a case-by-case basis after consideration of each application, and we cannot guarantee financial support to every student who applies.
Scheme eligibility
Essential criteria are conditions you must meet to be considered for this scheme. Students who do not meet these criteria will not be considered for this award.
To be eligible, you must meet the following:
- Be studying at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½. The fund is open to all students, regardless of level of study, nationality, or social background
- Be experiencing unforeseen circumstances or unexpected financial hardship.
What do we mean by financial hardship?
If you're struggling to make ends meet and you're unable to cover essential, day-to-day living costs, then you may be eligible for support.
- You may be relying on part time work, or struggling to find sufficient part time work, to supplement your living expenses;
- You may be a student whose sponsors have withdrawn funding, or where payments are delayed;
- You may be an international student experiencing difficulties in transferring funds from overseas;
- Or you may have another cause to be in financial hardship... You should therefore apply.
Before you apply for assistance, you should have accessed all other sources of funding available to you, including your full entitlement of student loans/NHS Bursary. The fund cannot assist with the cost of tuition fees for any student.
If you are an Architecture student, please get in touch with our MMU contact: Student Financial Support | Manchester Metropolitan University (mmu.ac.uk)
For more information, please read the for the Unexpected Financial Needs Fund.
Application and selection process
How to apply
To start your application please complete our online form using the apply now button below (this will appear when the applications are open, see key information above).
What you need to apply
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;
- Students experiencing urgent safeguarding issues.
Selection process
When assessing applications we take a holistic approach, considering students' financial circumstances, alongside any specific elements of need or disadvantage.
Our assessment time can vary depending on the complexity and number of applications received. It is currently taking up to four working weeks for us to complete assessment of applications after receipt of all supporting documentation.
Terms and conditions
Your course offer and this scheme
Receipt of this award is subject to you meeting your course offer commitments and registering at the University of Manchester in the year of entry specified in the application form.
Application and Selection process
Completing an application does not guarantee you will receive this award
Contact
For enquiries about this award, please