Inclusion funds

Activities Inclusion Fund

The Activities Inclusion Fund provides funding to help students participate in extracurricular activities, such as SU events and societies*. Apply for up to £50 to help cover costs so you don't miss out on fun, enriching experiences that can enhance your uni life.

Please make sure you read our guidelines before you apply.

The Activities Inclusion Fund is now closed for the 24/25 Academic year. We aim to open the fund again from mid-October 2025. 

Activities Inclusion Fund guidelines

As a Hallam student, you can apply for up to £50 from our Activities Inclusion Fund to help cover the costs of extracurricular activities, such as SU events and societies, that you may not otherwise have been able to engage with.

The Fund provides year-round funding support to all Hallam students so you don't have to miss out on fun, enriching experiences that can enhance your uni life.

Apply for funding

What the fund can be used for:

  • Society membership fees
  • Society events e.g. trips, balls (excluding trips abroad)
  • Activities conducted by SU Officers or Reps
  • SU events (excluding club nights)
  • Rental of equipment to participate in society activity
  • Attending conferences/networking activity linked to society activity
  • HSU Awards Ball

What the fund cannot be used for:

  • Resources when running as an election candidate
  • Trips abroad
  • Club nights
  • Course-related activities (your activities must be extra-curricular)
  • Team Hallam/Sports Club Membership

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Activities Inclusion Fund, you must:

  • have not made an application for the Activities Inclusion Fund in the past 4 weeks
  • have not been successful in receiving funding from the Activities Inclusion Fund previously this academic year
  • not be claiming in retrospect for activities that have already taken place or for a ticket you have already bought

Successful applications must be spent within 2 months of funding confirmation and will be reallocated to the overall funding pot if unclaimed.

Reasons you may be unsuccessful in your application:

  • The planned activity is outside the scope of the Fund (i.e. Sports Teams - see Sport Hardship Fund)
  • The planned activity is within 10 working days of the application being submitted (e.g. an SU or society event)
  • Not enough information is provided
  • The planned activity is excluded in the above list

Funding spaces are limited, and we will communicate when all funds have been allocated. After this, applicants will be placed onto a wait list for if/when further funds become available.

How your application will be assessed

We'll review your application based on the information and evidence provided, and we'll contact you with a decision within 10 working days of submitting your application (excluding the Winter teaching break).

All applications will be dealt with confidentially, with discretion and integrity. Those administering proposed activity (e.g. Societies, SU Events team, etc) will not be informed of any application or support allocated from the Fund unless permission is given.

If you think there has been an issue with the handling of the submission, please use our complaints procedure.

 

*Please note: The Fund is not designed as a support measure for students in immediate financial crisis, nor is it a long-term solution to funding difficulties.

 

*Please note: the Activities Inclusion Fund cannot be used for Sports Team activity (see Sport Hardship Fund).

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and bursaries (often referred to as grants) are one-off grants made to support students in their education. You might have heard about them in American pop-culture to fund college, but they're available in the UK too. According to UCAS, the terms 'bursary' and 'scholarship' are interchangeable across universities, with scholarships likely to be competitive and often supported by generous donors, and bursaries usually non-competitive, automatic, and based on financial need.

Student Success Scholarship

The main scholarship that SHU offer is the Student Success Scholarship, which is designed to help you succeed in your studies, and is available to both full-time and part-time home students.

If successful you'll receive a payment of between £600 and £2,100, although the Uni says most successful applicants will get nearer the lower amount unless in 'several priority groups'.

You can find detailed information in the terms and conditions, or more quickfire info and how to apply on the Student Success Scholarship webpage.

Find out if you're eligible

Hallam Hardship Fund

If you're facing unexpected financial difficulties, the Hallam Hardship Fund could help.

It offers one-off payments to help with essential living costs and take some of the pressure off, so you can focus on your studies. Awards are usually up to £600, but there’s no automatic entitlement - each application is looked at individually.

Even if you’re not awarded funding, Hallam may still offer other types of support or invite you to chat through your options. You can find out more and how to apply on the Hallam Hardship Fund webpage.

Apply now

Performance Athlete Support Programme

If you’re a high-level athlete and juggling your sport with uni life, Hallam’s Performance Athlete Support Programme could give you a helping hand.

It’s aimed at students competing at a high level - for example, representing your country, playing in a pro academy, or part of an international development pathway. Support can include things like gym access, physio, lifestyle mentoring, and help managing your timetable.

You can check if you’re eligible and what’s on offer on the Performance Athlete Support Programme webpage.

Find out more about PASP

Scholarship and Bursary Finder

There are also a wide range of other scholarships and bursaries available from the Uni, with some open to students on specific courses and others available to all students.

There's something for almost everyone and you can use the Scholarship and Bursary Finder to search for one to suit you.

SHU have previously released ad-hoc bursaries such as the house hunting grant and energy costs grant, so it's worth keeping an eye on their website for new opportunities.

Use the scholarship finder tool

Financial difficulties support

If you're struggling to manage your money and it’s starting to affect your studies, Hallam offers support that goes beyond just emergency funding.

The Financial Difficulties page brings together lots of helpful options depending on your situation - whether you've had a sudden drop in income, an unexpected cost, or you're just finding it hard to keep up with the basics.

Support could include:

  • Advice and guidance from Student Funding or Student Support Advisers
  • Help with budgeting and managing money
  • Referrals to emergency food support or hardship funds
  • Exploring alternative sources of funding like benefits or bursaries
  • Signposting to services for things like housing, mental health, or caring responsibilities

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but Hallam will work with you to find the best way forward. You don’t have to wait until things get really tough, get in touch early to explore your options.

Find out more on the financial difficulties webpage