Accessibility statement

Emergency loans

An emergency loan is a short-term loan designed to assist you to support you during short-term funding issues. It can be used to pay for food, utility bills, or travel to your site of study (including placements).

COVID-19 update

We will not be holding any emergency loan drop-in sessions until further notice. If you require an emergency loan during this time, complete the online application form. If successful, your emergency loan will be paid via bank transfer. Please allow 48 hours for processing.

Am I eligible?

This loan is for UK undergraduate students when their student funding is delayed. 

How much can I borrow?

We will typically give a loan for one week's living costs, based on national standards for expenditure set by NASMA. We give you a basic amount to cover food, travel and essential expenses such as utility bills.

This loan cannot be used to cover larger costs, such as rent. You should speak to your landlord in the first instance to negotiate rent payments. Our Student Advisers at the Student Hub can help you if you need support.

Once the loan has been given it will appear as a debt to the University on your account until it is repaid. 

How do I repay the loan?

You'll receive an invoice from the Fees Office, which will explain how to repay the loan. We won't charge you interest on the loan but you'll be expected to repay the loan as soon as you receive the first instalment of your Student Loan or NHS Bursary, usually within four weeks and need to repay it before you can re-enrol or graduate.

Failure to repay may result in your details being passed to a debt collection agency working on behalf of the University.

How to apply

Before applying you should have maximised all other sources of income, including overdrafts and assistance from family or friends.

You must apply in person to Student Financial Support. Drop-in sessions are held each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1pm - 2pm in the Fees Office. There is no need to book.

What do I need to bring?

  • personal identification (eg University Card),
  • evidence that you have applied for a Student Loan or NHS Bursary (printed or electronically), and
  • a current bank statement (printed or electronically).

If you cannot attend the drop-in sessions, please email sfsu@york.ac.uk for an appointment.