The SU is pleased to announce that the Hardship Fund will be relaunched for September as the ‘Financial Support Fund’.
For the 2023/2024 academic year, the officers had a Top 10 that was to "Ensure all students have access to a financial safety net when needed, through a range of accessible scholarships, bursaries, hardship funds and other support". Activities Officer David and SU President Jiji led on the Top 10, which consisted of meetings with Student Experience Pro-Vice Chancellor Cassie Wilson, Residence Experience Manager Clare Cobbs, Deputy Director Student Support & Safeguarding Cath Bailey, and Funding and Retention Team Leader Andy Leahy on different sources of support and how they were communicated.
Throughout the year, it became clear that the main issue was around effective communication regarding the support available. Through a working group the communication channels and methods were evaluated and changed and updated in line with recommendations from colleagues.
The ‘Hardship Fund’ was a specific point of contention, as SU Officers fed back how the title was potentially deterring students from applying, as they don't consider themselves in 'hardship'.
On Wednesday 21 August, the Officers were delighted to receive confirmation that the Hardship Fund was changing to the Financial Support Fund. Students can access the fund if they are experiencing financial difficulties or have a change in financial circumstances due to unforeseen events and are unable to meet basic or unexpected additional costs from other sources of support.
It’s great to see this change being made and we’re hopeful that this small change could have a huge impact on students for years to come.