Summer Support Fund | The Student Hub | University of Southampton

The Summer Support Fund is a limited pot of money designed to help Home/UK students who find themselves in unexpected financial hardship during the summer period.

Applications for the 2025/26 Summer Support Fund have now closed.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must be:

currently enrolled 
a continuing student or a final year student whose course continues past Monday 22 June 2026
in receipt of the Tuition Fee Loan and means-tested Maintenance Loan from Student Finance (UK) or the NHS equivalent

If you have completed your final year at university, we will be unable to consider you for financial support.

Final year students retaking exams are no longer eligible to apply to the Fund.

Students who applied for the Student Support Fund during the 25/26 academic year can apply for the Summer Support Fund.

If you’re unsure if you meet the eligibility criteria for the Summer Support Fund, please book an appointment, or email us at stufunds@soton.ac.uk.

Applications

Applications for the 2025/26 Summer Support Fund have now closed.

On average the form takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, depending on your situation. Once an application is received, an advisor will be in touch within 10 working days with either an assessment update or outcome.

We can help with the completion of the application form if you have questions or require additional support. Please book an appointment or email us at stufunds@soton.ac.uk . The SUSU Advice Centre are also able to help with completion of the application form and how to gather the appropriate documentation.

The fund has no right of appeal. Applications are reviewed in line with Student Support Fund guidelines. Awards are discretionary, and we cannot guarantee one will be granted.

Things to note

Have you accessed all statutory funding for which you are eligible?

It is expected that applicants will have done so. This includes having your maintenance loan means-tested so you can receive the highest possible loan amount and possibly become eligible for the undergraduate bursary. If you have not been household income assessed and apply, we may only be able to consider short term support.

Do you receive financial support from your family or have personal savings?

The Student Support Fund assessment will typically include all family contributions and savings (for any purpose).

Have you made use of an interest-free, fee-free overdraft?

These student accounts are typically available to all Home/UK students. Please remember to read your bank's terms and conditions carefully before taking out an overdraft.

Have you taken a look at your spending recently?

You can download monthly bank statements from online banking. Statements are required for Student Support Fund applications, and they’re also a good way to see where your money goes. When applying, please provide a brief explanation for every £100+ amount that comes into or goes out of your account.

It is expected that applicants will spend their money in a way that is appropriate for their funding level. This can still include occasional takeaways, coffees or social events. If your spending on non-essential items is regularly over £100 each week, an advisor may discuss this with you, and your award amount or payment may be altered accordingly.

Have you sought budgeting advice?

We recommend making a 1:1 appointment with one of SUSU Advice Centre’s helpful budgeting advisors, so you can make the best use of your funding.

Award information

Awards from the Summer Support Fund will provide support for the period 22 June – 13 September.

If awarded, the first £50 of an award will be paid by Tesco/Sainsbury's vouchers. You will be able to select a supermarket preference when applying. Any remaining award will be paid in a single payment.

Awards are paid directly into the account the University holds for you. Please make sure these details are up to date. To check what details we hold, you will need to access Student Records Self Service System. Click on Personal Information, then ‘Update Payment Details.’

Awards do not cover: tuition fees, resit fees, visas and associated costs, or support for family or friends (only for the individual student).  

Applications are reviewed in line with Student Support Fund guidelines. Awards are discretionary, and we cannot guarantee one will be granted.  

Further information 

If you have any other questions about eligibility, the application form, or the assessment process, please feel free to book an appointment or email us at stufunds@soton.ac.uk. 