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New financial support for students
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Total of £70 million in financial year to help with
additional costs like alternative accommodation
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Majority of students continuing their studies remotely,
as part of measures to fight coronavirus
Thousands of students will benefit from an additional £50
millionto supportthem with financial
pressures from the pandemic, the Universities Minister has
announced today (2 February).
Today’s announcement is in addition to the £20 million
announced in December, bringing the total to £70 million
forthis financial year.
The new funding means that universities will be able to
help students impacted by the pandemic,for example thosefacing additional costs for alternative
accommodation, loss of employment, or extra costs to access their
teaching online. Universities will distribute the funding
and will be able to prioritise the funding to those most in need
of help.
The increased financial support comes as the majority of
students have been asked to continue their studies remotely, as
part of measures to reduce the transmission of
coronavirus.
This announcement follows the decision from many
universities and accommodation providers to offer rent rebates
for students who need stay away from their term-time address. The
Government has encouraged others to join them and offer students
partial refunds.
Universities Minister said:
“This continues to be an incredibly difficult and
challenging time for our students, and I am hugely grateful to
all the university staff working hard to prioritise their health,
wellbeing and learning during this pandemic.
“The additional £50 million that we are announcing today
will mean we have distributed £70m for hardship in
thisfinancial year alone– on top of the
£256m of government-funded student premium which universities can
use for student support this academic year.
“This additional support will provide real, tangible help
for those students struggling financially as a result of the
pandemic.
“We will continue to prioritise a full return to education
as soon possible, in line with public health advice. I am also
working with universities and professional bodies to ensure
students can graduate as planned.”
The Government also welcomes the decision from many
universities and accommodation providers to offer rent rebates
for students who need stay away from their term-time address, and
encourages other to join them and offer students partial
refunds.It asks all providers of
student accommodation including universities, to make sure their
rental policies have students’ best interests at heart and are
communicated clearly.
The funding will be distributed by the Office for Students
directly to universities, which are best placed to assess student
hardship locally. Universities will be able to help students,
including international students, impacted by the
pandemic,for example
thosefacing additional costs
arising from having to maintain accommodation in more than one
location, or an inability to maintain employment, such as a job
based close to their term-time accommodation for which they
cannot access the furlough scheme, or to support students to
access teaching remotely.
The Government continues to monitor the situation and the
impact of the funding.
Students facing financial hardship are encouraged to
contact their university or higher education provider if they
find themselves facing financial difficulties related to
Covid-19.
