The hardship fund provides vital assistance to students who, through no fault of their own, need some extra financial help to ensure they continue with their studies and reach their full potential. Even with the best financial planning, many students experience unexpected hardship. Unforeseen circumstances, additional costs or a change in personal situation can often leave students unable to cover essential costs such as day-to-day living expenses, rent, travel and childcare. 

In an emergency situation, students can apply for grants of up to £1,200 from the hardship fund which can make all the difference to a promising student by enabling them to stay at University, focus on their studies and successfully graduate. 

“With my donor’s support, I was able to pay for my rent and travel expenses at a time when the cost of living is becoming unmanageable for students in London. This meant that in my final year of university I did not have to bend over backwards working, and wasn’t anxious about making ends meet. I was able to get my head down and focus on my studies and planning for after my degree - leading to obtaining a 1st class honours. Without this necessary support, I'm not sure I would have been able to finish my degree, let alone obtain this grade; the money enabled me to be secure in some areas of my life for the first time and allowed me to see how much I can achieve. I’ll be forever grateful”  

Jess -  A final year Psychology Hardship Fund recipient  

How you can help 

Your support will help students experiencing hardship to reduce their working hours and ease any financial worries they have so that they can commit themselves fully to their studies and reach their full potential.