Registered full and part-time International and EU students pursuing a course of study leading to a formal qualification (e.g., Undergraduate degree, Master’s or PhD) can submit an Expression of Interestform in applying.

As ISEF is a fund of last resort, students will need to show genuine financial hardship and that they have made every effort to meet their needs from any other available sources.

As international students are required to demonstrate to the Home Office that they have adequate funding for their tuition fees and living costs as part of their VISA application, we would reference what has changed to require a student to have the need to apply to ISEF.

PhD students must have first completed an application to the Doctoral College’s PGR Hardship FundLink opens in a new window before they would be considered for any funding from ISEF.

• If a PhD student is still in financial difficulty following the outcome of their PGR Hardship FundLink opens in a new window application, they can then submit an Expression of InterestLink opens in a new window in applying to ISEF.
• PhD students will need to submit evidence of their PGR Hardship FundLink opens in a new window outcome after submitting their Expression of InterestLink opens in a new window form via email ( ).
• PhD students whose registration status is 'Limbo: Thesis' are not eligible for ISEF.

Expression of InterestLink opens in a new window forms and ISEF applications cannot be considered from students who have completed, permanently withdrawn from or abandoned their course. Further to this, certain enrolment and course exclusions apply, such as students who are awaiting exam board or students who are undertaking a degree apprenticeship. If you would like clarification on whether your particular enrolment status or course excludes you from applying, please contact Student Funding Support at  

Eligible students can express an interest in applying to ISEF during the summer break, if they find themselves in financial difficulty. Further information can be found in our ISEF and ISCF Guidance Notes 2023-24.Link opens in a new window

Awards from ISEF are needs-related and assessed on an individual case-by-case basis. As a result, we are unable to give a clear indication of the likely value of any possible award until an application has been submitted and the assessment process completed.

• There is no guarantee that funds will be awarded in every case and consequently, some applications will be unsuccessful.
• Students who are eligible for an award from ISEF will not need to repay this.
• Priority for funding is given to students with dependants, estranged students, care-experienced students, and students with disabilities.

Please note that if your enrolment status changes during the application and assessment process then you may become ineligible to receive support from ISEF (e.g., students who become permanently withdrawn).

If you would like to apply to ISEF then you will first need to complete and submit an Expression of Interest form. You will need to be logged in to your University account to complete this form.

Once your submission has been processed, if you are eligible to attend triage, you will receive an email with a link to book your triage appointment.

If you are invited to apply to ISEF, you must submit your application within 4 weeks of receiving your invite. Any submissions made after this 4-week deadline will be rejected and you will need to re-attend a triage meeting. If you are a final year student, then your date of application submission must not be within 5 weeks of your course end date.

Once we have received your application form and supporting documentation, we will contact you to arrange a short, confidential appointment with a Student Funding Adviser.

• Appointments take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Appointments are informal and will give you the opportunity to discuss your individual needs and circumstances in detail.
• Appointments are conducted via Microsoft Teams.
  • However, if you would prefer to attend a face-to-face appointment then please let us know via email (  ) and we will try to accommodate your request.
• Once your appointment has been booked, you will receive a confirmation email with full details of your appointment.

Please be assured that your Student Funding Adviser will consider your best interests at all stages of the application and assessment process. However, you should be aware that all of our Student Funding Advisers work within guidance issued by the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA) for the assessment of awards and distribution of funds.

It may be necessary during your appointment to refer to your bank statements, credit history and spending patterns (and if applicable, it may be necessary to refer to your partners' bank statements and evidence). The discussion may also explore opportunities for part-time work and other funding opportunities that may be available to you. Any questions are not intended to be intrusive, but instead, allow your Student Funding Adviser to form a complete and comprehensive assessment of your financial situation and, if possible, to recommend a successful outcome to your application.

It can take up to 5 weeks from a fully completed application to receipt of funds, if you are found to be eligible (this time scale does not include from submission of your Expression of InterestLink opens in a new window, only from submission of a fully completed ISEF application).

If you are in need of more urgent financial assistance, we may be able to offer you an interest-free Emergency Loan of up to £250.Link opens in a new window

Please see below further ways in which the wider University may be able to assist you, if you are in financial difficulty:

• Warwick Student Union (SU) FoodbanksLink opens in a new window
• Wellbeing and Student SupportLink opens in a new window

Due to the nature of the fund, it is unlikely that a student will need to re-apply during the same academic year.

However, if you do find yourself in immediate financial difficulty later in the year, you can submit a new Expression of InterestLink opens in a new window. The process of re-application is the same as applying in the first instance and hence you will need to undertake all stages of this as outlined in this ISEF Pre-Triage webpage. PhD students will need to re-apply to and receive an outcome from the PGR Hardship FundLink opens in a new window, prior to re-submitting an Expression of InterestLink opens in a new window. We will require evidence of this PGR Hardship FundLink opens in a new window re-application outcome, to accept your Expression of InterestLink opens in a new window.