COMING SOON: Short-term loans are new for the 2026/27 academic year.

We anticipate that applications will open in September.

黑料正能量 offers Short Term Loans under our Financial Support Fund to provide quick, practical help for temporary cash flow problems during the academic year.

When a loan may be suitable

A short-term loan may be appropriate if you are experiencing:

  • A delay in receiving expected funding (e.g. Student Finance)
  • An unexpected one-off expense
  • A short-term gap between income and essential costs (e.g. whilst waiting for your salary to be paid)
  • Some students find loans a more comfortable option, as they are intended as a practical, short-term solution rather than an assessment of hardship.

How it works

  • Short-term loans can be arranged more quickly than other forms of support, helping you address urgent financial pressures more quickly
  • If your loan application is approved, we will lend an amount to help cover your day to day living costs, typically £100 per week (maximum amount that can be borrowed is £500)
  • The fund is intended to help students experiencing a temporary cash flow problem during the academic year by providing support towards essential living costs. It is not intended to be a main source of income and cannot cover full rental or deposit payments, or tuition fee instalments in full
  • Awards are discretionary and need to be repaid.

Eligibility criteria

You can apply to this fund if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • you're fully registered and in full-time attendance on an undergraduate programme at 黑料正能量
  • you started your studies at 黑料正能量 prior to September 2025 or started your studies from September 2025 onwards and are studying in Bath, at Bath Spa London (Hackney) or Bath Spa London (Canary Wharf)
  • you're a home UK student (ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of your course, settled status)
  • you're in receipt of full statutory (means tested) funding from Student Finance OR you applied to Student Finance in good time prior to the start of your course, and there has been a delay in the assessment of your entitlement
  • you have less than £200 in your bank account (including available overdraft).

You will not be eligible to apply if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • you're studying less than 100 credits during the academic year
  • you have outstanding debt with the University.
  • you're currently on a placement year or year abroad.

How to apply

Applications are managed via Blackbullion.

  • Supporting documentation is required in all cases. Applications submitted without all the necessary supporting documentation will not be considered.
  • Photos of supporting documentation are acceptable if they are clear and can be easily read. In certain circumstances you may be contacted separately and asked to supply additional evidence. 

What happens next?

  • We’ll communicate the outcome of our application via Blackbullion
  • We aim to inform applicants of the outcome of their application within five working days
  • We aim to make payments to your account within three working days of notifying you.

Repaying the loan

You'll need to explain how you intend to repay the loan and to accept our Terms and Conditions as part of your application.

  • Loans are interest-free and repayment will be due within 30 days or when your student finance payment is due (whichever is sooner)
  • You'll need to give authorisation for the University to action repayment on the agreed payment date via the card details provided to BSU
  • Failure to repay a loan may lead to exclusion from this scheme for the duration of your course, and you would become subject to University debt recovery procedures
  • Outstanding debt can affect your ability to re-enrol for a new academic year, to receive graduation certificates, references, and transcripts.

Important information

  • As a new scheme for 26/27, Short Term Loan terms and eligibility criteria may be subject to review
  • All applications will be treated in confidence, however, may be shared with Student Wellbeing Services where deemed appropriate, so that they can offer additional support
  • We have a limited budget for offering loans and therefore we respectfully ask that students don’t apply more than once per term in order to ensure that support can be offered to the widest range of students.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about this award, please contact the Student Awards Team by submitting a on MyServices.