skip to content
 

Please note that there will be changes to the eligibility criteria of the Fund which will come into effect from Tuesday 2 April 2024. Further information is provided below. 

The deadline for applications to be received for the following treatments is Monday 1 April 2024 (Easter Monday):

  • Medical diagnoses for ADHD and Autism
  • Private medication (including ADHD medication)

Before you apply

You should try to access relevant services from the University and NHS before applying for financial assistance from the Crane Fund. This will often be a quicker way to get the support you need. It also helps the Fund to support students who require more specialist treatments. 

The University offers the following services to students free of charge, all year round:

If you are unsure what NHS service to use, the NHS Symptom Checker might be helpful. 

Overview

The 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. 

Students are expected to have discussed their application with their College Tutor before applying. The Distributors of the Crane Fund expect Colleges to make a financial contribution towards the total cost of treatment and where no College contribution is indicated, Colleges may be contacted for more information. 

Retrospective applications are not permitted, and students should be aware of the following:

  1. Applications should be made before the treatment has commenced. 
  2. If your application is successful, only treatment received after the date of the award will be supported. 

If your application is successful, all treatment must have occurred before your course completion date (UG and Masters students) or soft bound thesis submission date (PhD students). 

The application process is managed by the Student Funding and Fee Policy Team and applications are carefully reviewed by a Medical Advisor (also referred to as the Apothecary). 

Students who are on intermission are eligible to apply to the Fund. 

Disabled students are generally expected to seek financial assistance through the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC), which provides information and access to a wide range of support. 

More information about the Crane Fund is available here

Report on 2022/23 academic year

Eligibility principles 

You should read the following eligibility principles and ensure that you are eligible before applying. 

  • Financial assistance shall be provided for evidence-based UK clinical treatment only, in accordance with NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)/ NHS guidelines, and where there are significant waiting times under the NHS; it will not cover costs associated with treatment such as travel costs. A significant waiting time is defined to be where a student is unable to complete a period of assessment without accessing private treatment in a timely manner. 
  • A supporting letter must be provided by the student's GP to confirm that they are aware of the treatment for which the student is seeking support. Ordinarily, this letter should include a clinical diagnosis and explicit recommendation of the treatment for which the student is seeking support. However, if the student has received a clinical diagnosis from another suitably qualified professional who has recommended a course of treatment, this letter will be accepted alongside the letter from the GP. Please note that the student's GP does not need to provide a bespoke letter for the application, a referral letter will be acceptable. All letters should be dated within the last 3 months. 
  • Students must explain in their application how their illness is affecting their studies significantly and College Tutors must also explain how the student's illness is affecting their studies in their supporting statement. College Tutors can use supervisors' assessments of the student's progress to explain how the student's illness is affecting their studies. 
  • Students must demonstrate financial need and provide details of the funding arrangements for their University course. 
  • Financial assistance will not normally be provided for ordinary dental treatment. 
  • Retrospective applications shall not be permitted. 
  • Students with access to private medical insurance shall not be eligible. 

Eligibility principles to come into effect from 18 March 2024 (deadline for applications to be received under the previous eligibility criteria is Sunday 17 March):

  • Financial assistance shall not be provided for medical diagnoses for either ADHD or autism, as a medical diagnosis is not needed for academic adjustments to be made. Enquiries may be made to the Fund where students require adjustments in addition to the standard exam access arrangements and therefore require an autism assessment. However, a clear explanation will need to be made as to why these additional adjustments are necessary. 
  • Financial assistance shall not be provided for private medication (including medication for ADHD) on the basis that the student may not be under GP care whilst on medication and may find it difficult to continue with medication on the NHS. 
  • Students have one year to claim their award, after which it lapses. Appeals may be considered where an explanation can be provided for the delay. For example, the student was on a waiting list to receive the treatment for which they received support. 
  • Students cannot apply for support in the last term of their course. Exceptions may be made for students progressing to another course at the University. 

These eligibility principles should be considered in addition to the General Eligibility Principles and Guidance of the University's Financial Assistance Funds

Eligible treatments 

Students may apply for financial assistance towards:

  • Recommended specialist mental health treatment (eg services not provided by the Collegiate University such as EMDR therapy)
  • Medical treatment relating to physical health 

How much support is available?

Students may apply for up to a maximum of £1,800 per academic year. This may be more than one application but should not exceed £1,800. 

Please carefully consider your application and what you are applying for support for. 

Supporting letters

In order for your application to be accurately assessed, you will be asked to upload a supporting letter from your GP which should provide:

  • A clinical diagnosis of your illness
  • Explicit recommendation of the treatment for which you are applying for support 

If you have received a clinical diagnosis from another suitably qualified professional who has recommended a course of treatment, this letter will be accepted alongside a letter from your GP confirming that they are aware of the treatment for which you are seeking support. 

All letters provided should be dated within the last 3 months. 

Please note that if you do not submit the required supporting letter/s, your application will be declined. 

Where there is a fee for a GP letter, please approach your College for financial assistance as it is the expectation of the Distributors of the Fund that Colleges will support students with this cost. It is important to make your GP aware that a bespoke letter is not needed for the application, a referral letter will be acceptable.  

You may also upload any additional documentation which supports your application for financial assistance. 

Guidance document for support letters to the Crane Fund 

How to apply

Please ensure you complete the following steps before completing the application form:

  1. Talk to your College Tutor about applying (in the application form, you will be asked to confirm that this discussion has taken place before progressing to the questions in the form)
  2. Read the eligibility criteria above to ensure you are eligible 
  3. Read the application guidance

To access the application form please click here: Application form

Guidance for College Tutors supporting student applications for financial assistance

Word copy of application form (to be used to draft your responses and share your application with your College Tutor before applying)

Applications for financial assistance may be made at any time during the academic year between 3 October 2023 and 31 August 2024 (this allows preparations for the next academic year to take place in September). 

Applications will be automatically withdrawn after 1 month if the College Tutor support form has not been received.

Outcomes will normally be communicated within 1 month. However, due to increased demand the wait time may be longer. Students are advised that the application process may be extended if further opinion or advice is needed. If your application is missing any information (eg details of the treatment provider), you will be contacted by the Student Funding and Fee Policy Team. 

In exceptional circumstances, College Tutors may apply on the student's behalf; for instance, if the student feels unable to complete and submit an application. Please email the Student Funding and Fee Policy Team for further information.

Payment of awards

If your application is successful, payment of your award will take place at the end of the treatment applied for. It is the expectation of the Distributors of the Fund that Colleges will provide funding to students whilst they await retrospective payments of their award. 

Colleges will be reimbursed upon the receipt of a College Tutor's report and invoices/receipts at the end of the course of treatment. Please note that from the award date, College Tutors have 1 year in which to provide this information, after which the funding will not be able to be claimed. Please inform the Student Funding and Fee Policy Team at the earliest opportunity if the student did not go ahead with the treatment they applied for financial assistance with. 

College Tutor report form

Contact

Please contact the Student Funding and Fee Policy Team using the email address financialassistance@admin.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions about your eligibility or the application process.