Dennis Turner Hardship Fund

Step 1

Apply through e:Vision

Step 2

Complete your Financial Wellbeing Review

Step 3

Gather your evidence

Step 4

Upload evidence through the Student Hub

Step 5

Submit your application

Bank Statements

Provide bank statements covering the most recent full three calendar months.

Accommodation Costs

Provide evidence showing your current accommodation costs.

Financial Wellbeing Review

Ensure your review has been completed before submission.

Student Finance Evidence (Home Students)

Upload your current academic year's Notification of Entitlement including all pages.

Standard Applications

Typically 2 to 4 working weeks. Processing times may increase depending on application volumes and the completeness of evidence supplied.

Please Note

Applications that are missing evidence or contain incomplete information are likely to take longer to assess.

What is a Financial Wellbeing Review?

A Financial Wellbeing Check (FWC) is a supportive review of your income, spending and financial commitments. It can help you understand your financial situation, check that you are receiving all the support available to you and identify practical ways to improve your financial wellbeing. It also gives us helpful context when considering your hardship application.

The review looks at:

• Your income
• Your spending
• Any debts or financial commitments
• Your housing costs
• Any challenges affecting your finances

The aim is to help you understand your financial situation and identify any additional support that may be available to you.

Why is it important?

For You

A Financial Wellbeing Review can help you:

• Understand your finances more clearly
• Identify ways to improve your financial situation
• Access specialist support and advice
• Explore additional support that may be available

For Us

The review helps us better understand your financial circumstances and any challenges you are facing.

Where appropriate, it may reduce the need for us to request additional information later in the assessment process.

How do I get a Financial Wellbeing Review?

You can obtain a Financial Wellbeing Review from organisations such as:

• Students' Union Advice & Representation Centre
• Citizens Advice
• StepChange
• Your bank or building society
• Other recognised financial advice services

What should I provide?

If you have completed a Financial Wellbeing Review, please provide evidence of this with your application.

This could include:

• A review summary
• Confirmation of attendance
• An email from the adviser or organisation
• A completed budget assessment
• Other documentation showing the review has taken place

When we allocate awards, we are asked to give priority to the following groups:

• Students with children
• Disabled students (especially where DSA is unable to meet particular costs)
• Students who have entered higher education from care for the period of time spanning their 16^th birthday (regardless of age now)
• Students who are 18 to 24 and have no communicative relationship with either living biological parent, or often their wider family
• Students who have caring responsibilities, previously in receipt of Carer's Allowance
• Students from low income families
• Students receiving the final year loan rate 
• Students whose courses have additional costs (for example, final year Arts students have to buy materials for their "show")
• Students who suffer unforeseen change of circumstances during their studies

If you are not in one of the priority groups you can still apply but you must provide as much evidence as possible to show why you have a particular need.

If you are successful, your award/instalments will be paid into your WLV Wallet account.  Further instalments may be subject to your continued engagement with your studies, seeking advice from the Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) of the Students' Union or other external advice and support agencies/charities (CAB, StepChange, etc).

Once awarded, you will receive an email from the WLV Wallet Team containing instructions on how to access these funds including how to transfer as much or as little as you want into the bank account of your choice.  

Instructions on how to withdraw your funds as cash can be found at: https://www.wlv-wallet.co.uk/cash-withdrawal-sso

If you have any queries about the physical payment or how to access it, please contact the WLV-Wallet team at student.info@wlv-wallet.co.uk as we do not have access to this.

Please note: you will have 60 days or until end of the second week in July (whichever is earliest) from payment to draw down any funds else any remaining will be reclaimed.

What are Care Experienced?

A student who has entered higher education from care for the period of time spanning their 16^th birthday (regardless of age now). 

We have a dedicated team who provide ongoing support, advice and guidance throughout your student journey, from making an application to Wolverhampton through to graduation.  They can also provide a link between the University, your local authority and/or your Care Leaving Team.

As a care leaver you may be eligible for one of our Access Bursaries which take the form of a cash payment paid over two years.

How to register as a Care Leaver (if you have not done so already):

To register as a Care Leaver simply complete the online consent form at: www.wlv.ac.uk/care which will include uploading relevant evidence (below):

• Letter from your Leaving Care Team - confirming your Care Leaver status 
• Student Finance - current Student Finance Notification letter (all pages) which can be downloaded directly from your Student Finance online account under Letters and Emails - click the link then download the PDF to save and then upload to your application

Please note that you will have to complete a consent form every year to ensure your details are kept up-to-date.

Additional funding

You may also be eligible to receive a bursary in each year of study (this money does not have to be repaid) which will automatically be allocated once your registration/consent form is processed every year.

This award will be released for payment through your WLV Wallet account.  Please click this link for more information on the WLV Wallet itself.

For details of additional support available please visit the Support for care leavers and estranged students web page (www.wlv.ac.uk/care) or drop an email to nolonewolves@wlv.ac.uk (with your student number).

Who can be classed as estranged?

A student who has entered higher education who does not have a family support network, who are 18 to 24 and have no communicative relationship with either living biological parent, or often their wider family.

We have a dedicated team who provide ongoing support, advice and guidance throughout your student journey, from making an application to Wolverhampton through to graduation. 

All new starters may be eligible for one of our Access Bursaries which take the form of a cash payment paid over two years.

How to register as estranged (if you have not done so already):

To register as estranged simply complete the online consent form at: www.wlv.ac.uk/care which will include uploading relevant evidence (below):

• 3^rd party evidence to show that you are estranged and have no contact with either of your parents (unless previously supplied)
• Student Finance - current Student Finance Notification letter (all pages) which can be downloaded directly from your Student Finance online account under Letters and Emails - click the link then download the PDF to save and then upload to your application

Please note that you will have to complete a consent form every year to ensure your details are kept up-to-date.

Additional funding:

You may also be eligible to receive a bursary in each year of study (this money does not have to be repaid but is subject to engagement with your studies) which will automatically be allocated once your registration/consent form is processed every year.

This award will be released for payment through your WLV Wallet account.  Please click this link for more information on the WLV Wallet itself.

For details of additional support available please visit the Support for care leavers and estranged students web page (www.wlv.ac.uk/care) or drop an email to nolonewolves@wlv.ac.uk (with your student number).

Who can apply for this funding?

A student who is in receipt of help via the DSA for computer equipment but have to pay the 1st £200 themselves.

NB: if you are an Apprentice student you are NOT eligible to apply for Dennis Turner, but other funds may be available.  Please contact disability-inclusion@wlv.ac.uk (with your student number) stating that you are an Apprentice and would like to discuss support with an advisor.

How to apply:

To get help paying for the £200 towards your equipment costs through DSA simply complete the online application for, click the link: Support for DSA Computing Equipment form 

You will need to be logged in to office.com via your University account (university email address and IT password).  You will also need to upload the following evidence:

• DSA Letter – you can download this from your Student Finance online account under Your inbox - click the link to view the DSA2 letter then download it to save and then upload to your application

Have the evidence ready so that you can upload it during the application process (you will not be able to submit your application without it).

Please email us once you have submitted this form.

This award will be released for payment through your WLV Wallet account.  Please click this link for more information on the WLV Wallet itself.

Who can apply for this funding?

A student who needs help to pay for a full SpLD assessment.  The Dennis Turner Fund may be able to help with this cost.

NB: if you are an Apprentice student you are NOT eligible to apply for Dennis Turner but other funds may be available. Please contact disability-inclusion@wlv.ac.uk (with your student number) stating that you are an Apprentice and would like to discuss support with an advisor.

To book an appointment:

The University has linked with specific qualified assessors with whom students can book and get the assessment done for a set price.  As long as students book with one of these we will cover the cost of the assessment for you.

1. Complete the form Help with Learning – Neurodiversity Assessment Request
2. You will be contacted by one of our preferred Assessors to book an assessment
3. Attend pre-arranged appointment

The Assessor will confirm both the booking and attendance and will be paid directly by the University.

Please note: once booked the Assessor requires a 48-hour minimum cancellation period.  If you do not attend/rebook an appointment within 2 weeks you will be liable for the cost of the assessment.

Your report will automatically be forwarded to the Disability and Inclusion team to ensure any support you are eligible for can be put in place as soon as possible.

Even though you may still need to apply to the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), the Disability & Inclusion Team may be able to put interim support in place whilst this is completed.

If you do not want to use one of our preferred Assessors, please be aware that the fund will not be able to offer financial support for this.

External assessments can cost from £350 - £750 so it may be advisable to look around for the best price.

Who can apply for this funding?

Students who have applied for and in receipt of the Childcare Grant from Student Finance.  The Dennis Turner Hardship Fund can help with additional financial support towards the childcare costs you need to pay to the registered provider yourself.

1. Gather the required evidence:

• Student Finance - your current Notification of Entitlement letter (all pages) can be downloaded directly from your Student Finance online account under Your inbox - click the link then download the pdf to save and then upload to your application – please ensure you use a pc/laptop rather than a mobile to ensure you can save as a PDF
• Childcare grant – current Student Finance Childcare Grant (CCG) letter, which can also be downloaded directly from your Student Finance online account under Letters and Emails - click the link then download the PDF to save and then upload to your application.
• Recent childcare costs – preferably a statement of account or weekly invoice confirming your current costs from your registered childcare provider or recent invoices (up to most recent 3 months) – we do require something that clearly shows your name and how much you are being charged per week/month

2. Complete the Form: 

• Dennis Turner Hardship Fund - Childcare Support Form

Once the form has been processed you will receive confirmation of amount awarded and award date.  This award may be split into more than 2 instalments depending on amount and your study programme.

Processing should take no longer than 2 weeks.

Please note that any award you receive from this will be taken into account should you also apply directly to the Hardship Fund.

Book a drop-in appointment with a member of the Funding Team

If you need support with your application, or for advice on funding you can now book a drop-in appointment to speak with a member of the Funding Team by clicking the above link.

You can quickly and easily book an appointment via our online booking systems.  You can choose whether to have a face-to-face, virtual (via Teams) or phone appointment.

• A virtual booking would be if you need help with an application form, applying for the hardship fund or Student Finance for example.  This will allow you to attend using your home devices to enable us to help you more easily. 
  
  
• If you book a phone appointment please note that at the allotted time you will receive a call from with an Unknown Number or 01902 32 1000.  Please ensure you answer promptly as we will not leave a voicemail.  Make sure that, if driving, you park safely and have put your hand brake on before you answer the call.

Please complete the online form where you can easily choose a suitable day and time. Please be as clear as you can in the description box as to why you need the appointment.  You will need to be signed in to your office.com using your university email and IT password.  If you cannot access this please drop money@wlv.ac.uk an email (including your student number) to explain and we will sort something out for you.

Once booked you will receive a confirmation email which you can link to your calendar. You will also receive a reminder email the day before, if applicable, your appointment and a text message reminder if you add your mobile phone number.

You can book a slot up to one hour prior to the time available or up to 2 weeks in advance.

If there are no suitable slots available please email money@wlv.ac.uk with your student number clearly stating why you need a slot as soon as possible and the team will do their best to accommodate you.

Please note: there are only limited slots available and we will work on a first come, first served basis.

Please keep the confirmation email in case you need to reschedule or cancel the appointment. If we need to reschedule or cancel the appointment for any reason we will do our utmost to inform you as soon as we can and offer you an alternative.

The virtual drop-in is via Teams so make sure you are logged into the Teams app on a PC/Laptop/Tablet.  This will allow for screen sharing should you need us to help with applications.

For help sharing your screen please have a look at Share content in a meeting in Teams

You can also get in contact:

by email: money@wlv.ac.uk 

or log a helpcall via the ASK@WLV tab on your e:Vision account

Make sure you include your student number in all emails to the University.

In the event that you find yourself in a financial emergency please get in touch at the details above. Please provide your full name, student number and a brief statement of your individual circumstances and we will advise you. This may include referral to food banks. 

We can only ever offer minimal help and would encourage all students who are facing additional financial hardship to seek further support from such resources such as:

• Students’ Union’s Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) - speak with a Student Money Advisor - complete their enquiry form at https://www.wolvesunion.org/advice/enquiry/
• UCAS – have their own set of budgeting tips - https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/money/budgeting/student-budgeting-tips
• Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) - can offer additional financial advice. 
• Government’s Help for Households campaign – see what support is available to help with the cost of living and find out how to save money with their energy saving tips - https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/
• Mental Health & Money Advice – helping you understand, manage & improve your mental health and money issues - https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/
• Stepchange – https://www.stepchange.org/ - they offer free, flexible debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation. They will then provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed.
• Money Helper – they have compiled a checklist of essential budgeting tips - https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/student-and-graduate-money/budgeting-for-college-or-university
• Complete university Guide – Budgeting for university - https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/after-you-start/budgeting-for-university
• Save the Student – How to budget at university - https://www.savethestudent.org/money/student-budgeting/student-budgeting.html

For additional advice for surviving on a student income have a look at Funding and budgeting webpage as it does contain tips and links that you may find useful.  Just go to www.wlv.ac.uk/budgeting-tips.