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Exceptional Support Fund

The Exceptional Support Fund (ESF) is available to eligible students experiencing unforeseen financial hardship during their studies, when all other available means of funding have been exhausted.

A grant of up to £3,000 per academic year could be be available to help those students who can show there is a shortfall between their income and day to day expenditure which they are not able to manage by their own actions.

Students applying for ESF must have first applied to their university for any hardship or other available funding.

You can still apply for ESF even if your application to university was unsuccessful, as long as you have approached them for help.

Your university must endorse and sign your ESF claim form before it can be submitted to us.

Any claims that have not been countersigned will not be considered. 

You can apply for ESF at any point throughout the academic year, there's no closing date. 

Guidance

To help you complete your ESF application form, we've produced ESF application guidance (PDF: 408 KB).

Read through this before submitting your application. It contains essential information about the types of evidence and supporting documentation you must provide with your claim.

You can watch a short video with information about ESF

Applying for ESF

You can access the ESF application form directly from your NHS LSF account.

When you’re applying for ESF, make sure you clearly mark your bank statements to highlight any payments referred to in your application. This will help us to assess your claim and reduce any queries and delays from us.

Send your application form and all supporting evidence to us by email at: 

nhsesf@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

If you wish to post your application, it should be sent to:

NHS Learning Support Fund

Student Services
Hesketh House
200-220 Broadway
Fleetwood
FY7 8SS

Once we have received your application and all relevant evidence, we’ll pay successful applications within 15 working days.