The Summer Support Fund can provide basic assistance for students who are unable to work during the summer period (for personal or health reasons, or due to course-related restrictions, up until the end of August) and forms part of the University of Plymouth Financial Support Fund.
A finite amount of money is available in the Summer Support Fund budget and awards are intended to form a contribution toward costs; therefore, they should neither be considered as a main source of income nor relied upon or anticipated in advance. Once available funds have been exhausted, no further applications can be considered.
Who can apply?
Essential criteria – you must meet all of these:
- You are a full-time undergraduate
- You have ‘home’ status
- Your tuition fees for the year have been paid in full
- You have received the full entitlement of a maintenance loan
- You have used up all available credit (this includes your overdraft) and this must be visible on your bank statement.
Qualifying categories – you must be in at least one of these:
- A student who has dependants under the age of 14 and who has applied for all benefit entitlements. Before contacting us, please liaise with UPSU Advice for a benefit check to ensure that you are getting your full entitlement and provide evidence of this outcome. UPSU Advice contact details: +44 1752 588373, advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk
- A student who is ill or has a disability and is, therefore, unable to undertake work, and for whom other benefits are not available. You will need to provide documentary evidence from your doctor or the hospital that states that you are unfit to work for a specified period.
- A student who is the primary and recognised carer of a disabled or seriously ill person.
- A student on an integral (not voluntary) placement throughout the summer vacation, who has no other income source once the maintenance loan has been exhausted. Applications for the 2023/24 Financial Support Fund will be taken into account and included in our calculation.
- A student who is unexpectedly required to resubmit elements of their course, either in or out of attendance across the summer, where this prevents them from seeking work. Please note that assistance may be limited to four weeks.
- A care leaver or estranged student. You must provide evidence of any housing or living cost support from a local authority and outline why you are unable to support yourself, as it is expected that you will have secured work during the vacation.
You are not eligible to apply for the Fund if you meet one of these criteria:
- You are a final-year student (unless you are required to resubmit elements of your course during the summer or are on a mandatory placement as part of your course). You must apply before the date of your final deadline or the end of your placement.
- You are a non-final-year student who is simply unable to find work and does not fall within one of the above categories.
- You are a postgraduate student. It is assumed that postgraduate students have made realistic provision for their studies and the cost of living throughout the summer period and are, therefore, not expected to apply other than in an emergency situation.
- You are an international student.
- You are studying at a Partner College, including UPIC.
- You are on degree apprenticeship course.
- You are on a distance learning course.