The University recognises that there will be occasions when staff experience financial difficulty. Support may be available to you, whether you are facing a relatively small, discrete issue with your finances, or a major challenge to do with complex personal or domestic circumstances.
Please note that the Staff Financial Support Fund is not able to respond to urgent requests for support, or in emergency situations. Depending upon when your application is made, it can take a month, or longer for it to be reviewed.
Upcoming Changes to the Staff Financial Support Fund
Due to the limited funds available, changes are being made to the way in which the Staff Financial Support Fund will operate. From 26th May 2025, the Fund will only be able to offer interest-free loans of up to £1,000. Small grants may still be available, in extremely rare and extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the Board of Management.
In addition, the Staff Financial Support Fund will no longer be open to applications from retired University employees, the dependents of University employees who have died in service, or the dependents of retired University employees who have died.
Changes will also be made to the application criteria, and exclusions, so please do ensure that you consult the updated Guidance to Applicants, which will be available from 26th May 2025.
Initially, the Board of Management will still meet to review applications on a monthly basis, however, this too may change in the coming months. Any changes to the frequency of the meetings will be advertised on the webpage.
Who can apply?
The Staff Financial Support Fund is open to University employees. University employees are those on University contracts of employment, where the employer is identified as the 'Chancellor, Master and Scholars of the University of Oxford'. The Fund is not currently open to casual staff, TSS workers, or college-only employees.
How will I be assessed?
The Fund is offered to assist those facing unexpected pressures, where the applicant finds themselves with unmanageable debt and/or severe financial difficulty and where support is not available elsewhere.
Reasons for an award may include:
- Change in personal circumstances (e.g. loss of accommodation, unexpected reduction in household income);One-off unexpected essential expenses (e.g. boiler breakdown, car repairs, bereavement costs);
- Unexpected short-term increase in cost of living expenses (e.g. increase in utility bills, outgoings such as rent)
- Other circumstances not covered above which are resulting in financial difficulty and the inability to meet basic, essential or unexpected additional costs.
This is not an exhaustive list; however, applications should clearly demonstrate the necessity for financial assistance. Loans will not be awarded where financial difficulty cannot be demonstrated.
What can I expect, if my application is successful?
If your application is successful, you may receive an interest-free loan of up to £1,000 repayable from your salary in equal instalments, over a 12-month period. In extremely rare and extenuating circumstances, a small grant may be available at the discretion of the Board of Management.
How do I apply?
Please ensure you have read the guidance to applicants before applying.
Please complete the Staff Financial Support Fund application form and submit it to sfsf@admin.ox.ac.uk. Your application is confidential and you do not need to go through your line manager.
Evidence of monthly expenditure and household income is not required. However, you should clearly set out the nature of the issue, including all relevant information in your application. Please attach any supporting documents (such as quotes for repair work, etc) to your application.
Decisions will be made by the Board of Management based on the information provided. Please note that applications will take a few weeks to process.
Current University staff members
University employees should complete the Staff Financial Support Fund application form. Your application is confidential and you do not need to go through your line manager.
Dependants
Please contact the HR Liaison Officer at sfsf@admin.ox.ac.uk for advice on next steps.
Financial advice and support
The Fund cannot provide emergency support and will not be able to meet all requests. All applicants are offered access to the University’s financial advice service via the Spectrum.Life Employee Assistance Programme . In addition, all members of staff are encouraged to consider seeking financial help from alternative professional or debt advice charities. Please refer to the 'Useful links' shared on the right-hand menu.
