BOVTS Student Hardship Application form

Please note that the next scheduled Hardship Fund Committee meeting is on Thursday 9th of May 2024. You need to apply before 12 NOON on Monday 6th May to be considered for this meeting. You can still apply now If you have immediate financial concerns please contact me directly. marchia.abokie@oldvic.ac.uk In the meantime please remember that you can apply for the UWE Student Support Fund - details can be found here https://www.uwe.ac.uk/life/money-and-finance/funds-during-study/uwe-bristol-student-support-fund

If you need any help filling out this form or would like to talk to someone before you apply please contact me, Marchia Abokie at marchia.abokie@oldvic.ac.uk or call me on 0117 9809252

The Bursaries and Hardship Funds are there to assist students who, due to unforeseen circumstances, find themselves in temporary financial hardship.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is a registered charity and these bursary funds are donated to the school specifically for the proposes of awarding bursaries to students in financial hardship

The Panel considers hardship to be where a student does not have sufficient funds to cover basic living costs such as food and rent in the immediate future and has no recourse to other funds.

The Committee Panel comprises:
• Principal
• Head of Finance
• Director of Drama
• Higher Education Admin and Student Support Manager

• Access and Participation Officer
• Admissions Manager (Chair and non-voting member)

The Panel will meet as often as necessary for the timely consideration of applications, usually once a term. It will also consider emergency applications when necessary outside the main meetings.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be fully-enrolled students of the School registered on:

• a validated higher education programme for undergraduate or postgraduate basis.

These funds are not available to “visiting students” or participants on other courses offered by the School not stated above.

Priority Groups:

The priority groups for the Fund are:
• Lone Parents
• Disabled students
• Care leavers
• Estranged students
• Carers
• Second degree students

Application process:

The panel is empowered to make small cash awards in emergency situations (up to £700 per month).
All applicants must complete the hardship fund application and provide supporting evidence of hardship including recent bank statements showing current balance, Student Loan Company documentation, and other sources of income.

A student may be expected to meet with a member of the panel (or nominee) either in advance of applying or as part of confirmation of an award.

Please note: before you make an application you must have exhausted all sources of finance including bank overdrafts; loans from relatives or friends; career development loans; income from part time job; and be within £100 of any agreed bank limit including overdrafts.

This form asks you to provide evidence in support of your application.

in ALL cases this must include:

1, Your most recent bank statement (dated within a week of the application)

2, Copy of your accommodation mortgage or rental agreement

3, Student Loan paperwork - if applicable

Your details

First Name *

Last Name *

Street Address *

Address Line 2

City *

Postcode *

Phone Number *

Email Address *

Please state what course you are on: *

Your circumstances

Have you applied for hardship funds before? *

Yes

If yes, please specify

Have you applied for student funding? *

Yes

Dependents - do you have any children who are financially dependent on you? *

Yes

If yes, please specify

Are you on any type of government benefits? like Universal Credit etc., *

Yes

If yes, please specify

Please use the space below to explain your reasons for requesting financial assistance and any changes in your circumstances that has led you to make this application. *

Please provide details of your income for the current academic year

Please privde details below of your income for the current academic year

Please list your tuition fee for this year *

Please list your maintenance loan amount for this year *

Please list any bursaries or scholarships you have already received this year *

Please list any BOVTS hardship funds (if previously awarded this academic year) *

Please put down any income from family/friends support *

Please provide details of your expenditure for the current academic year. Please note this is per month

How much do you spend on rent or mortgage per month *

How much do you spend on food per month *

How much do you spend on gas/electricity/water per month *

How much do you spend on mobile phones per month *

How much do you spend on study expenses per month *

Please list any other expenses you spend per month. *

If you have added a figure for any other expenses, please explain what these expenses are.

Please upload your latest bank statement - Please note it should be dated within a week of your application *

Please upload a copy of your rent or mortgage payments. For example a tenancy agreement. *

Please upload a copy of your student loan paperwork - if applicable

Declaration - please read and confirm at the end

I declare the information given above is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that the information I supply may be verified by the School and that my application will not be processed if I have not enclosed the necessary supporting evidence.

I understand that giving false information will automatically disqualify my application and may lead to disciplinary procedures.

Please sign to confirm you have read and understood the above *

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