The Santander Fund FAQs
Do I need to have all three Hallam Award levels to apply for the Santander funding?
Yes. You need to have been awarded the Bronze, Silver and Gold Hallam Award.
Can I use the money to reimburse myself for activities/costs carried out at any level of the award, not just Gold?
Yes, if you have incurred any costs such as travel to volunteering or an internship, training course costs, professional body memberships etc, no matter what level of the Hallam Award you did these at, these are eligible to evidence in your application. Please note you can only reimburse yourself up to £500 from previously completed activities, and should evidence how you would spend the other £500 on future activities.
Can I reimburse myself for unpaid volunteering/internships either already carried out, or due to be carried out?
Yes, you can. You will be reimbursed for a maximum of 40 hours at a rate of £12.21 per hour.
Can I spend it on future activities, even if not carried out before end of the application deadline?
Yes. If you do not wish to reimburse yourself for previous activities undertaken for the Hallam Award then you must evidence how you would spend the £1000 on future activities. If you wish to reimburse yourself, you can do so up to a maximum of £500 and then you must evidence how you would spend the other £500 on future activities.
What if my expected costs for my application are less than £1000?
We advise you quantify all of the £1000 award, and spend up to the limit, considering future activities like additional courses, conferences, joining a professional body etc.
Do I have to provide invoices or receipts for any costs incurred from previous experience carried out for the Hallam Award. What if I don’t have them or cannot find them?
Yes, you need to provide evidence of spend in the form of receipts upon request. If you cannot find any receipts, you will not be able to claim for this spend, this includes travel. You will need to have these receipts to hand and be able to provide them if you are selected for the funding. If you cannot find them and provide them by the date we request, then we will not be able to provide you with the funding.
How many words should I write for the evidence in each section?
This is down to each individual, but we suggest a short paragraph, around ¼ of a page long, perhaps around 300 words – there is no word limit though, so whatever you feel you need to evidence the question being asked.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline is 25th April 2025.
When will I hear whether I am successful or not?
We will shortlist applicants and aim to let successful students know during the week commencing 12th May 2025.
How will I be paid, and when?
Santander will arrange a bank transfer for the money, if you have been successfully selected as one of the 10 to receive the award funding.
Will I receive feedback if my application was unsuccessful?
No. Unfortunately we will not be able to give feedback to any individual on their application.
On the application form, it asks for my grade, but the grades are not the same as UK degree grades. What should I put?
As Santander is a Spanish bank it utilises a Spanish grading system. The UK grade comparisons are provided below. Please provide your predicted grade/average based on these figures. Your grades are not used to shortlist applicants.
+70% = 9-10
60-69% = 7-8.9
50-59% = 6-6.9
40-49%) = -5.9
Below 40% = lower than 5 (fail)