Access and Success Fund
We are committed to improving the equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, progress and succeed in higher education. As part of our commitment, underpinned by our Access and Participation Plan, we offer a discretionary Access & Success Fund to enhance the 'university experience' for our students from underrepresented groups.
Applications for the 2023/24 Access & Sucess Fund will open in December 2023.
You must meet the following criteria to be considered for the Access & Success Fund 2023/24:
- Be a current UK undergraduate Keele University student
- Belong to one or more key student groups
- Have an annual household income below £62,343 (verified by Student Finance)*
- Demonstrate how the Access & Success Fund would enhance your university experience
Our key student groups, as defined in our Access and Participation Plan, are:
- Care leavers
- Mature students (aged 21 or over at the start of your current course)
- Students from a minority ethnic background
- Students from a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community
- Students from a military family background
- Students who are estranged from their family (aged under 25 and have zero contact with family)
- Students with a disability
- Students with caring responsibilities (for a friend or family member with a disability who could not cope without your care)
- Students with children under 18
- Students with household income below £25,000 (verified by Student Finance)
- Students with refugee status
- Transgender students
The University’s Access and Participation Plan focuses on UK students and we are therefore unable to consider applications from international students.
*This figure has been set in line with the thresholds for the higher maintenance loan level.
Please note that you must have provided household income information to Student Finance prior to applying to the Access & Success Fund. If we are unable to verify your household income with Student Finance, then we will not be able to consider your application. If you have chosen not to apply for Student Finance for religious reasons, please contact us at student.services@keele.ac.uk so that we can discuss this with you.
The Access & Success Fund is intended to enhance the university experience for students within our key student groups, by providing financial assistance to help to reduce barriers to accessing higher education. For example, a student may wish to apply to the Access and Success Fund for financial assistance towards:
- a gym membership to support mental health
- IT equipment to help to manage studies around other commitments
- subscriptions to music and film streaming services to support mental wellbeing
- the cost of childcare
- travel or accommodation for a summer internship
This isn't an exhaustive list, and we would welcome students to apply for other reasons too.
In contrast, the Hardship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to students experiencing severe financial hardship, who are struggling to afford essential costs such as accommodation, food and necessary travel. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please consider applying for our Hardship Fund.
You are welcome to apply for both the Hardship Fund and the Access & Success Fund within the same academic year, provided that you meet the eligibility criteria for both.
Applications for the Access & Success Fund 2023/34 will open in December 2023 - students will be able to apply using an online application form.
Once applications have closed, we will complete an eligibility check on your application. We may need to contact you to discuss your application or to request appropriate evidence, and so please ensure that you check your Keele email account regularly.
All applications will then be referred to a panel, chaired by the Director of Student Services, for consideration. The panel’s decision will be final.
There is a limited amount of funding available within the Access & Success Fund. As such, the University is unable to guarantee a minimum level of award as this will be dependent on the number of eligible students and the needs of others.
If your application is successful, you will receive an award of up to £1,500, determined on a needs-assessed basis and the eligibility criteria.
There is a limited amount of funding available within the Access & Success Fund. As such, the University is unable to guarantee a minimum level of award as this will be dependent on the number of eligible students and the needs of others.
If you have any questions, or need help with your application, please contact the Financial Support Team at student.services@keele.ac.uk so that the team can support you.