Dr Mickle Fund Grant

Dr Mickle Fund Grant


The Dr Mickle Fund Grant exists to assist students who are unable to continue with their studies, or would be seriously handicapped in doing so, due to financial hardship. You do not need to pay this Grant back.

The Grant is paid for by a fund which was set up in the will of the late widow of Dr Mickle, who wished to provide assistance to students who might be unable to complete their studies due to financial hardship. As a result, there are a number of criteria for the Dr Mickle Fund Grant set by the terms of the will (see below).

If approved, the Grant can provide up to $2,000 towards your living expenses. Students may apply more than once, but if they apply again, they must demonstrate that the cause of their financial hardship is different to that in their earlier application.

Applications may be made at any time during the year from the date of commencement of the first term to the end of the third term.

The Dr Mickle Fund Grant is accessible to both domestic and international students.

To enquire about the Dr Mickle Fund Grant, please contact the Advocacy and Welfare Team.

Criteria

  1. A student must be fully enrolled at the University of Canterbury. Being “fully enrolled” here means that the student is enrolled in at least one course at the university, and final grades for that course have not yet been released.
  2. The Grant will only be approved if an applicant proves that their financial circumstance directly impacts their study at UC and is unexpected and temporary.
  3. Applicants must demonstrate that they are in financial need (less than $1000 in all bank accounts), and show evidence they sought financial assistance from external agencies (e.g., Studylink, WINZ, private health insurance, scholarships, family, or friends).
  4. Applicants need to demonstrate that they are both willing and able to complete their studies at the University of Canterbury.
  5. Applicants must be students of good character.

Process

  1. Students must explain their situation to a staff member from the Advocacy and Welfare Team.
  2. If the staff member feels the student fits the above criteria, they will ask the student to fill out a Dr Mickle Fund Grant application form. Students are required to be open, honest, and forthcoming with all information required for their application.
  3. When the application is completed, the Advocacy and Welfare staff member will present it to the Dr Mickle Fund Grant Panel for review. The Panel is made up of three UCSA staff members outside of the Advocacy and Welfare Team.
  4. All identifying information will be redacted in the application so it will be presented anonymously to the panel.
  5. Applying for the grant does not guarantee that the application will be approved. The decision of the Panel is final and will be communicated to the student by the Advocacy and Welfare staff member.
  6. If the grant is approved, the UCSA will pay the grant money to a third party. Please note no money will be paid to the student directly.

Documents Required

  1. Completed Dr Mickle Grant Fund application form
  2. UC Student ID Card
  3. Internal academic transcript
  4. Bank Account Summary showing balance of all accounts
  5. Last three months of bank transactions for all accounts
  6. Copies of relevant invoices or agreements (i.e., bill, tenancy agreement or invoice)
  7. Evidence of situation (i.e., copy of receipts or medical records)
  8. Letter of support from independent person

    9. Plus, if applicable:

  9. Last three credit card statements
  10. Last three payslips
  11. Police Report
  12. Letter from any institution, (i.e., Studylink) which has accepted or declined you for financial support
  13. Evidence of any financial assistance (i.e., scholarships/grants).

Limitations

We understand that each case is unique. As such, the following limitations to the Dr Mickle Fund Grant are a guideline only, subject to individual circumstance and the Panel’s discretion.


Examples of what the fund can usually be used for:


  • Ordinary essential living costs, including rent, power, and groceries
  • Unforeseen medical costs (i.e., pharmacy costs, doctors’ visits, after hours doctors’ bills, optometrists, emergency dental treatment)
  • Childcare payments
  • Other desperate, unforeseen circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis

Examples of what the fund cannot usually be used for:


  • Accommodation bond
  • Tertiary fees/costs
  • Holidays
  • Mobile phone or toll call bills
  • Mortgage repayments
  • Hire purchases/ lay-bys
  • Assets such as laptops, mobile phones, cars and furniture etc
  • Graduation expenses
  • Conference costs
  • Tax or student loan repayments
  • Cigarettes/alcohol
  • Fines (i.e., parking, speeding, warrants, registration)
  • Sports equipment/trips
  • Car repairs
  • Credit card payments
  • Veterinary costs