College support

Apply for funds via Student Forms.

College offers financial support for students on both a full-time and part-time course of study and welcomes applications from all groups of students who are not in a position to cover such costs themselves. Financial support can include funds to support your studies, such as reimbursement for books or travel, as well as funds to help you in times of any unforeseen financial difficulty. Applications are made via your student form portal.

Applications from part-time students will be considered on a pro-rata basis for their FTE rate of study. For example, 0.5 FTE students would usually be awarded, if eligible, 50% of an award a FTE student receives.

Receipts required for reimbursements must be dated no more than six months prior to the date of application.

Please do not submit applications in July, August or September of any year. Should you have an urgent need to submit an application during these months, please email tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk for advice.

All applications are reviewed in detail, and, if you have not made clear your circumstances as to why you are no longer in a position to cover such costs yourself, you may receive an email from the Tutorial Office asking for further clarification and be asked to provide supporting documents to make clear your change of circumstances.

In advance of applying, please discuss with your Tutor, or in the cases of certain applications, your DoS, to let them know if you are making an application for funding and why. If your Tutor is unavailable, please contact the Tutorial Office for advice or to make an appointment to discuss your financial situation with the Academic Registrar: tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk.

Applications after the following dates cannot be considered: (i.e. not on receipt of results or graduation)

Undergraduate students - Students must apply more than 6 weeks in advance of the course completion date to be eligible. For undergraduate students, the course completion date is the end of your final exam period, i.e. end of Easter Full Term. (not on receipt of results or graduation).
Masters students - Students must apply more than 6 weeks in advance of the course completion date to be eligible. For Masters students the course completion date is the date of your last examination and /or submission (not on receipt of results or graduation).
PhD students - after the submission of your soft-bound thesis.
Clinical Students - Students must apply more than 6 weeks in advance of the course completion date to be eligible. For Clinical students the course completion date is the date of your last examination and /or submission (not on receipt of results).

It is your responsibility to ensure your application progresses through the system and you receive the final decision in a timely manner. You can view the status of your application via the online application process with applications not considered by College for reimbursement if greater than six months from the date the application was submitted. Should an application seem to be ‘stuck’ at any stage and you are unsure what to do, please email tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk well within the six-month application period for advice on how to move this forward.

Financial Assistance to assist with an unforeseen financial difficulty

Prior to starting your course you will have provided information to confirm you have sufficient funding for the duration of your studies. Admission is only agreed on this basis. It is therefore not expected to receive applications for funding in your first term of study.

However, College is aware that it is possible that at certain times you may encounter unforeseen financial difficulties which can subsequently place you in a financial difficulty. If this is the case you may be eligible to apply for financial assistance from College. College considers applications from students who can demonstrate they are not in a position to cover such costs themselves. Students with access to savings of over £1,000 or alternative funding which could meet their shortfall are not normally considered. Applications are welcome from both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. The maximum amount awarded is normally no more than £500 in any one term (£1000 can be considered for clinical medics who confirm in their application they did not attend a fee- paying school). Applications cannot be made retrospectively. Up to £50 can be considered in respect of financial reimbursement for a medical letter. For an application to be considered, you will need to provide a detailed budget by completing the form and attaching to your application. You will also need to make clear what has changed, and what particular expense is unforeseen that you are seeking support for. Applications will be delayed if you do not include relevant information with your application.

Undergraduate students: It is normally expected to submit claims for financial assistance in relation to term time costs only. UK students should have applied to Student Finance (SF) for all tuition fee loans and grants, and any other statutory awards for which you may be eligible, before applying. Please note that if your household financial circumstances have worsened since your initial application, you can apply to have your household income reassessed by SF, which may result in further support from them SF. Applications for SF are automatically considered for a Cambridge Bursary (see our University-wide and External Financial Support page). Overseas students will have supplied a funding plan before arriving in Cambridge. They should ask their guarantors to honour this plan before applying.

Clinical Medics only: As a Clinical Medic you can be considered for financial assistance of up to £1000 in any one term. Information regarding funding support available for clinical students is notified termly via the DEN.

Postgraduate students: You may apply if you are a research student, and you are overrunning with your thesis completion/your submission is delayed due to unforeseen reasons and your CamSIS record has a future submission date recorded for you. From College funds we can usually only sometimes provide help to a typical maximum of £500, to help get you over the line when you’re close to the finish. Please make clear the reasons in any application. It is not expected to receive applications from fully funded students, including those funded from a Studentship, Cambridge Trust Award, Doctoral Training Partnership Award, Research Funded Award, Gates Scholarship or any other funding body unless you provide evidence that your funding body has ceased to support you, and why this is the case.

PhD students - Hardbound thesis costs: PhD students who are able to demonstrate they are unable cover the cost of binding a hardbound copy of their thesis for the University Library may apply for a contribution from College of up to £80 to cover this cost. If you are based in one of the following Departments: Astronomy, Earth Sciences, History and Philosophy of Science or the Judge Business School; and you provide confirmation in your application of the Department requirement to submit a second copy, applications will be considered up to the sum of £160.

It is not ordinarily expected for applications to be submitted to supplement the following costs:

Students are expected to have applied for all eligible funds, such as Student Finance for maintenance, if not already doing so, before applying to College for financial assistance.
To bridge the gap between Student Finance maintenance funds you receive, and the maximum Student Finance can agree to fund. (the funds you receive are based on your household income and, based on this income, are supplemented by a Cambridge Bursary)
To bridge the gap if eligible for a Student Finance maintenance, but opt not to receive this.
Accommodation/storage costs (College accommodation is available at various price points)
Should you choose to purchase an expensive laptop/computer, it is not possible to provide a top up to the £300 available from College to cover the additional cost.
Mobile phones
Mortgage or loan payments
Housing costs or deposits
Application fees for further course application costs (unless in receipt of a Cambridge Bursary – any monies agreed will be based on the percentage of the Bursary received)
Medical or Dental costs (as costs for essential treatment is covered under NHS provision)
To cover costs as a result of a College fine
Holidays or non-academic related travel costs (taken or planned)
To accrue savings
Theatre/Concert/Ball tickets or similar
Lost/Stolen items (normally expected to be covered under your own personal Insurance claims)
Vehicle costs, unless students can demonstrate a car is essential for your course of study
Any non-essential subscription costs (College funds are available for essential course related subscription costs by applying via ‘Course Materials (Other)’)

Books: (apply via Course Materials Reimbursements - Books)

It would not normally be expected for reimbursements to be requested for books available in the College Library for example. Please confirm this when submitting your application. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk. Reimbursement for online devices, such as a kindle, or online books etc. are not currently supported.

A maximum £300 contribution can be granted in relation to applications submitted in relation to course materials, books, etc., during your current course of study. A further £300 is available during your course of study to contribute to a replacement or repair of a laptop/computer.

Undergraduate students: If you have had a change of course normally approved by the College Education Committee, you are entitled to apply for a further £300 to purchase books and materials for your new course of study. This does not apply to students who undertake an intercalated 3rd or 4th year of study in a different subject.

Postgraduate students: It would normally be expected for essential books or course materials to be made available from your Department or Faculty and costs to be met by them. If submitting an application to College, you need to make clear the reasons your Department or Faculty have advised you they are not in a position to contribute towards such essential costs. Please provide relevant supporting documents, such as an email from your Department to confirm their position. College may, in certain cases, be able to assist with up to 50% of costs.

Essential Course Materials: (apply via Course Materials Reimbursements - Other)

Please make clear in your application the exact course materials you are applying for. This can include subscription costs, computer programmes etc., but only if essential to your current course of study. It is your department who determines what is essential to your course of study. Any item you are asking to be reimbursed for from College will either need to appear on a departmental list of required materials or be supported by the Course Director/Director of Studies along with details of the level of support provided by the Department for the item being claimed for. Please upload relevant supporting documents, such as a link to a webpage or an email from the Course Director/Departmental Administrator/Director of Studies to confirm the item you are requesting funding for is essential to your course of study. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk. Please note that if the University’s Access and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) have prepared a Student Support Document (SSD) for you and agreed with you that you require materials to support you whilst on your current course of study, such as text to speech software, or other support aids, it would be expected for these to be paid for via the Disability Student Allowance (DSA). If not sure how to apply for a DSA, your ADRC advisor will be able to advise you. If you are an International Student, you should let your ADRC adviser know as they will be able to advise you how an application is made via an International Disabled Student Fund. A maximum £300 College contribution can be granted in relation to applications submitted in relation to course materials, books, etc., during your current course of study. A further £300 is available during your course of study to contribute to a replacement or repair of a laptop/computer.

Postgraduate students: It would normally be expected for essential course materials to be made available from your Department or Faculty and costs to be met by them. If submitting an application to College, you need to make clear the reasons your Department or Faculty have advised you they are not in a position to contribute towards such essential costs. Please provide relevant supporting documents, such as an email from your Department to confirm their position. From the £300 contribution available, College may, in certain cases, be able to assist with up to 50% of costs.

Laptop/computer costs: (apply via Course Materials - Other)

Students are expected to arrive in Cambridge with a suitable laptop to undertake a course of study. (The University recommends a standard laptop should be sufficient, ideally with Windows 10 or 11, or Mac OS X 10.15 or higher for most courses of study. However, your department will be able to advise if your particular course has course-specific hardware requirements, but it would be unusual to be recommended the purchase of a non-standard laptop or an expensive device. The University do not recommend you purchase a Chromebook, tablet or similar, as they often do not support some of the software used in the University. Please ensure any device is compatible with any examination formats).

Applications are not ordinarily considered if you are in your first term of study or in your last term of study.

The College IT Office may be able to loan you a laptop if you need this to complete your last term of study: it@dow.cam.ac.uk

Students also have access to the computer room in College at the rear of N staircase.

To apply for College funding of up to £300 to cover a repair or replacement of a laptop you will need to attach to your application the following:

Your receipt (showing date) to confirm the cost of the repair or purchase OR an agreement to provide the Tutorial Office with a receipt within 2 weeks of receiving the monies: tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk.
Confirmation email from the College IT Office: it@dow.cam.ac.uk that your current device has been reviewed by their office and requires replacement or repair.

If you are asking for funding for other computer costs that are an essential requirement of your course, such as a tablet, screen, mouse etc. you must attach in your application the following:

Confirmation email from your department to confirm that the items they list are essential to your course of study and for them to advise in the email of the departmental financial contribution.

Applications must include all relevant information.

Music lessons: (apply via Course Materials Reimbursements - Music)

In addition, and to assist undergraduates reading Music only, College will make a further contribution taking Performance papers as part of the Music tripos, College are happy to fund specialist one-to-one tuition of up to £922 for students taking Music Part IA, £922 for students taking Music Part IB and £1,074 for students taking Music Part II. All applications must be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via: tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk (Please note: missed lessons or no receipts provided within two weeks will result in a debit being added to your College bill).

Language course reimbursements

This funding can not be used for English Language courses. Applications are considered when a student has enrolled for a language course on the Cambridge University Language Programme (CULP), or via another route agreed by your Tutor. Applications can be considered for up to half the cost of any agreed course but will need to be repaid if the course is not completed or the course is not passed. The maximum amount one student can claim in any academic year is £250. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request.

Travel/Conferences (in person or virtually to present papers, results etc.)/Internships/Electives and other related costs (apply via Travel Expenses Reimbursement)

Claims for a contribution towards the cost of accommodation, conference registration fees, as well as travel and associated expenses for you to attend events, undertake internships etc. can be considered. Application for travel in relation to sporting engagements or events relating to sporting activities etc. are not included. Please refer to the sports funding available to College members. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts and a written report at the time of request or within two weeks of completing Travel/Conference/Internship/Elective etc. via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk.

Undergraduate Students: See table below as to details of reimbursement. Applications are divided into three categories: A: Academic – directly related/essential element to your current course of study; B: Academically related; and C: Non-academic. Category B applications may be upgraded to the category A rate should the Vacation Study or Travel Grant make up less than a quarter of the projected total costs. This only applies if no other external funding is obtained. Category A grants awarded may be increased at the Senior Tutor's discretion. You need to make clear what category you are applying for and confirm that you have checked with your Department or Faculty as to their contribution if applying under Category A as it would be normally expected for some funding to be offered from this source.

CATEGORY

MAXIMUM SUM awarded per course of study £750

£750

£300

£0

Postgraduate Students: See table below as to details of reimbursement.

COURSE	MAXIMUM SUM awarded per course of study
Clinical Medicine or Veterinary Studies	£900
MPhil or other Full-time Masters programmes	£300
PhD	£1200

Career Development Opportunity

Any registered student at Downing may use this form if making a claim for a contribution towards the cost of supporting you to undertake a ‘Career Development Opportunity’.

The maximum reimbursement you can apply for is £500 during your course of study.

You must advise in your application:

What is this opportunity
Why you wish to undertake this opportunity
what benefit it will be to you
the start and end date of the opportunity you are planning on undertaking
where this opportunity will be based.
what you are seeking reimbursement for – is this travel, accommodation etc.

You must also attach confirmation from a third party that this opportunity is being offered to you.

All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts and a written report at the time of request or within two weeks of completing the opportunity and submitting this to the Tutorial Office via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk.

Sports funding

Please see our Funding for Sports page for more information.

BAME costs

The BAME Solidarity Fund is available to assist students only of colour with their welfare. Contributions can be made towards the cost of mental health support: Applications are welcome up to £50 per application, and a total of £150 during your course of study. This fund can cover expenses including, but not limited to, a private counselling trial session, Self-help provision, Wellbeing subscription services etc. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk

LGBT+ costs

The LGBT+ Fund is available to support the wellbeing of LGBT+ students. Up to £50 per individual applicant are welcome during your course of study. This fund can be applied to for therapy costs, gender affirming clothes, travel to clinics etc. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk

NHS Prescription Reimbursement

To assist students by contributing towards the costs of NHS prescription charges. Students can claim a maximum of £57.90 per academic year. All applications are welcome and NO medical details need to be provided. All applications need to be supported with receipt confirming purchase cost of the NHS prescription charge at the time of request.

Medical costs

Please arrange to meet with a member of the College Wellbeing Team to discuss any support you may need: health-practitioner@dow.cam.ac.uk. College is able to refer students to the Cranes Charity (see below) if financial assistance is required in respect of any medical costs.

Cranes Charity

The University’s Crane Fund provides financial assistance to students in financial need who need treatment for physical or mental illness. The treatment applied for should not be conveniently or readily obtainable under the NHS or the University. If you submit an application and receive notification of monies agreed from Cranes, all treatment must be completed in accordance with the timelines agreed by the Charity. You will not receive any monies directly from the Cranes to cover costs. You are asked to let your provider know College will cover costs (up to the sum agreed by Cranes and if undertaken in the eligible period – see Cranes website for details). Please arrange for invoices to be sent to the Tutorial Office tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk who will arrange the payments to be made and organise subsequent reimbursement from Cranes.

Educational Screening costs

If you are a full-time student and believe you may need support with your studies and any subsequent University examinations or assessments you should contact the University’s Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC). Using previous medical professional evidence, the ADRC can create a Student Support Document (SSD) to assist with your studies and assessments. The ADRC are also able to offer students a Neurodiversity Screening Service if you are experiencing significant difficulties with your studies and believe this could be down to an undiagnosed neurodiversity. The screening is free to students, but please note this is not a formal diagnosis. Any recommendations from this assessment will enable an SSD to be created and allow for to apply for Reasonable Adjustments for examinations and assessments along with guidance for your studies in Department/Faculty.

If the ADRC recommend you require an Educational Assessment, please contact the Tutorial Office who will be able to guide you on booking and recommended/accepted assessors. Please note there is a limit of £550 for this type of assessment and only reimbursable on assessments agreed with the Tutorial Office before completion.

Please do NOT contact a private provider for an educational assessment unless you are able to cover such costs yourself, or you have had agreed in writing from the College Tutorial Office who will cover such costs.

University and External Support

Information available on our University-wide and External Financial Support page.

Competitions and other studentships

There are also a number of competitions and studentships open for applications from undergraduate and postgraduate students. Many of these funds require an individual application. If you have questions about the process, please email: tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk

To apply, please find more details on the competitions and studentships page here on the College website.

There are a number of entry level Scholarships and Studentships to fund the cost of courses, either in part or in full, provided students have applied for postgraduate study by the Funding deadline for their chosen course of study, and have been offered conditional admission. Please see information on how to apply for Postgraduate Study.

Please see funding for Postgraduate courses.

Please also see information on the Cambridge Trust. The Cambridge Trust is a major source of funding to students and offers a number of scholarships for postgraduate applicants, as well as offering a small number of scholarships for undergraduate students who are set at the overseas fee rate. Most of these awards are part-cost, offering a contribution towards the cost of studying:

Should you have any questions regarding postgraduate admissions funding please email: graduate@dow.cam.ac.uk

Should you have any questions regarding undergraduate admission funding please email: admissions@dow.cam.ac.uk