We’re here for you with our wide range of financial support options. We don’t want a lack of funds to be the reason you struggle to engage with your studies. If you are facing financial difficulties, please take a look at the funds below as well as other support available to you.
Many of our financial hardship funds open for applications on Monday 3 November 2025 including:
- Access to Learning Fund (ALF), open to UK “Home” fee paying students.
- International Hardship Fund (IHF), open to full time non-UK students who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the “overseas” rate.
- European Financial Support (EFS), open to full-time non-UK students who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the “EU” rate.
There are also some funds which are already available to apply for:
- Emergency Short Term Loan (ESTL) for “Home” UK students who are yet to receive their first instalment of their Student Finance England funding. Please note, this is a loan and so needs to be paid back.
- Kent Emergency Student Loan (KESL) is open to all students who find themselves in temporary financial difficulty and need help with immediate essential living costs (not accommodation costs). Please note, this is a loan and so needs to be paid back.
- Emergency Hardship Fund (EHF) for students facing financial hardship due to exceptional or unforeseen circumstances.
As well as financial support, there are many other ways we aim to support you:
- The Campus Pantry is run by Kent Students’ Union (KSU) and is a non-judgemental and confidential scheme that provides short-term support to students who find themselves in need of supplemental food.
- The KSU Advice Service offers support around your finances and budgeting, checking you are receiving the correct student funding from Student Finance England, checking your eligibility for benefits and much more.
- Our Careers and Employability Service offer a lot of support to help you get a part-time job, including guidance and advice on writing a CV, cover letter and application, as well as Jobshop which advertises part-time, seasonal and temporary jobs.
See our Cost of Living Support webpage for more support.