The cash will likely be distributed to universities to present to college students who’re struggling to deal with rising prices.
The federal government stated this can construct on the £261 million scholar premium fund allotted this 12 months – cash aimed toward supporting deprived college students.
“This additional funding will complement the assistance universities are offering by way of their very own bursary, scholarship and hardship assist schemes,” stated Robert Halfon, minister for abilities, apprenticeships and better schooling, in a assertion.
Chloe Subject, NUS vp for greater schooling, welcomed the funding however stated hardship funds are “a fast repair to a long-term drawback which has come to a head in the price of dwelling disaster”. Subject known as on the federal government to implement further measures, together with a hire freeze.
Information printed by The PIE Information this week exhibits the extended demand for extra monetary assist from universities amongst worldwide college students. A number of British establishments paid out over £100,000 in hardship funding to non-UK college students through the 2021/22 educational 12 months, and college students have continued to request assist this educational 12 months.
Tim Bradshaw, CEO of the Russell Group, additionally stated extra authorities help is required. “With out it, we’re involved this can have an rising affect on college students’ research and wider psychological well being and wellbeing,” Bradshaw stated.
It’s past disappointing that 1000’s of scholars in monetary disaster at Authorized suppliers will miss out on assist that might imply the distinction between persevering with their research or not.
— Alex Proudfoot (@AlexProudfootUK) January 11, 2023
Alex Proudfoot, CEO of Independent HE, stated it was “disappointing” that the brand new funding would solely be obtainable to fee-cap registered establishments, quite than all suppliers accepted by the Workplace for College students.
“Hardship can have an effect on college students wherever they select to check”
“Hardship can have an effect on college students wherever they select to check, no matter their establishment’s specific bureaucratic standing. College students ought to have the ability to rely on the identical assist from authorities regardless of whether or not their school or college receives different authorities grants,” Proudfoot wrote on twitter.
Vivienne Stern, CEO of Universities UK, welcomed the brand new funding.
“All through this cost-of-living disaster, our members have stepped as much as present assist to college students, from every day meal offers to rising hardship funding, universities are working arduous to supply a lot wanted assist to college students,” she stated.
“This additional funding from the federal government will assist to shore up their efforts.”
