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This information is for NHS Learning Support Fund (NHSLSF) students. It sets out measures put in place due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that during the coronavirus response period all NHSLSF payments will continue to be paid as normal and eligible students should continue to apply for payments.
Payments during school closures
DHSC has confirmed that during the period of school and university closures all NHSLSF payments will continue to be paid as normal and eligible students should continue to apply for payments.
Identifying as a key worker
DHSC has confirmed that if you’re undertaking a clinical healthcare course then you’re able to self-identify as a key worker as you’re contributing to the national coronavirus response.
During the coronavirus crisis, your NHSLSF payments will continue to be paid until the end of your current academic year, regardless of whether you’ve opted in to a ‘paid placement’ or are continuing on your course as normal. This will continue to be assessed and updated.
Applying for NHSLSF
You can continue to apply for elements of NHSLSF as normal. Temporary processes have been put in place with universities to sign off Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) and Exceptional Support Fund (ESF) application forms.
We’re constantly reviewing this information and we’re working closely with DHSC to make sure you’re kept up to date.
This information is subject to change at any point in time. Thank you for your continued support and co-operation during these challenging and unprecedented times.
Accessing NHSLSF whilst on a paid placement
Students who are eligible for the NHSLSF should continue to submit claims for the Training Grant, Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE), Exceptional Support Fund (ESF) and Parental Support. The eligibility criteria remain the same as if you were attending a clinical placement.
Parental Support will be paid for the remainder of the current academic year. You will be required to reapply for this element when you start the next academic year.
Additional information about applying for elements of NHSLSF on or after September 2021 will be provided in due course.
Your NHSLSF payments will not be affected by any salary you receive for working on the frontline during the coronavirus crisis.
Claiming for additional costs
Final year students who need to extend their course
Students who were due to complete their course in the 2020/21 academic year but require an extension due to coronavirus (COVID-19), should speak to their university to agree the number of additional weeks needed.
Information for eligible students
Where a student is eligible for additional financial support, we’ll contact them setting out the payments they’re eligible to receive.
This may include:
- pro-rata amount of the £5,000 Training Grant - £96 per week
- pro-rata amount of the £2,000 Parental Support - £38.50 per student per week if they have at least one child
- continuing to claim Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) as normal
- a student in financial hardship still being able to make a claim to the Exceptional Support Fund as normal
Payments will be made through existing NHS LSF accounts.
Do not try and create a new NHS Learning Support Fund account, as your application will be rejected.
If you receive a payment you are not expecting or your circumstances or length of extension change, you must notify us immediately. If you have any queries, you can contact us.
Information for universities
Universities can apply for funding extensions due to COVID-19 on behalf of their students through the university portal. Students cannot apply directly to us for these extensions. This information is valid for the 2020/21 academic year and for extensions up to 31 August 2022.
Universities are periodically contacted by Health Education England (HEE), asking them to complete a lost hours survey for students requiring extensions. All requests for extensions received are validated against the lost hours survey information held by HEE. We may request additional details and confirmation from you and your student as part of this validation process.
If you have any queries about submitting this information, contact us using the queries section in your portal.
The information contained here is correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.