Discretionary Fund

The Discretionary Fund at the University of Strathclyde provides non-repayable financial support to students facing severe financial difficulty. The fund is designed as a top-up to standard student support such as student loans, and is available to home (Scotland) students and students from the rest of UK (England, Wales, or Northern Ireland). The fund helps cover essential living costs and travel costs when students have a shortfall between their income and expenditure. The fund assessment evaluates a student's income against essential expenditure to determine if there is a shortfall that can be supported. However, the fund cannot serve as the main source of income for students. Awards are one-off payments intended to help students who are in or may be facing severe financial difficulty continue their studies. Eligible students must be registered full or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate students at the University of Strathclyde, studying a course with a normal credit load of 30 credits or more. Applicants must have already applied for and been assessed for all statutory funding to which they are entitled. EU and international students are not normally eligible to apply. The fund cannot provide support for tuition fees or for travel costs related to periods of exchange or study abroad. Applications are assessed based on income and expenditure, with awards given to cover genuine shortfalls in essential living costs. Students must provide complete documentation including funding award letters, bank statements, accommodation details, and any other relevant financial information.