Support when unexpected financial hardship arises
Although you are expected to have secured the funds needed to cover your fees and living costs before you start your course, we understand that financial hardship can arise unexpectedly after the course has started. There are several schemes to support you in these circumstances.
Hardship funding is only available if you are currently enrolled on a course leading to an Oxford qualification, and normally it will not be given to help pay for course fees.
You should check or ask us which scheme might be appropriate for you.
Some funding is only for matriculated students (members of an Oxford college), so please check your eligibility.
If you are a non-matriculated student, you could check your eligibility for the Department for Continuing Education Hardship Fund.
1. The Oxford Assistance Fund (Oxford Lifelong Learning)
This scheme is closed to 2026 applications. We will be contacting the current applicants in due course.
This fund aims to assist students who are experiencing financial difficulties during their course, which includes those impacted significantly by the rising cost of living, who are unable to meet these costs through other sources. The Oxford Financial Assistance Fund can help to alleviate financial hardship.
Awards are not expected to exceed £2,500, however, awards are often far less than this, as the overall level of funds is very limited. The Oxford Financial Assistance Fund (Oxford Lifelong Learning) is open for applications from Wednesday 18th March 2026. The fund is specifically for current non-matriculated students on award-bearing courses at Oxford Lifelong Learning, such as undergraduate or postgraduate certificates and diplomas. Applications are being accepted from 18th March-10th April 2026.
How to apply
Download the PDF or Word application form
- The Oxford Assistance Fund (OUDCE) application (PDF)
- The Oxford Assistance Fund (OUDCE) application (Word)
Download the ‘Supporting Evidence Table’ document
Email both documents, together with any supporting evidence to the Student Support Administrator at student.support@conted.ox.ac.uk. Please let us know if you have any questions and we would be happy to help you.
2. Department for Continuing Education Hardship Fund
This fund may assist you if you experience unexpected financial difficulties due to circumstances that could not have been predicted at the start of your course.
Grounds for an award might include meeting travel costs, and purchasing essential books or other items to enable you to participate fully in your course. Full details and guidance are in the application form (see How to apply).
Useful to know
- You must be studying with Oxford Lifelong Learning for an undergraduate or a postgraduate qualification.
- You must be a non-matriculated student. If you are matriculated, i.e. a member of an Oxford college, see Oxford Financial Assistance instead.
- You will need to demonstrate how your financial situation has changed, and why this could not have been predicted.
- The maximum grant is £250 in an academic year.
- Awards are not normally made to help with course fees—see Departmental bursaries instead.
- The Department for Continuing Education Hardship Fund is not intended to support living costs.
- Applications can only be considered for the current academic year.
How to apply
Download the PDF or Word application form
Complete the form and draft your supporting statement.
Email both documents, together with any supporting evidence to the Student Support Administrator at student.support@conted.ox.ac.uk. Please let us know if you have any questions and we would be happy to help you.
Continuing Education Hardship Fund grant application (PDF)
Continuing Education Hardship Fund grant application (Word doc)
