Extra cash on offer for struggling students

University students facing financial pressures due to the pandemic are to have access to an additional £50m support fund from the Government.

Universities will be able to use the extra cash to help students facing loss of employment, additional costs for alternative accommodation, or to support access to remote teaching because of Covid-19.

The majority of university students in England have been told to stay at home under the latest lockdown, which has sparked calls for greater financial support.

In December, the Government announced a one-off fund of up to £20m to help students most in need of support in exceptional circumstances.

Now a further £50m will be available.

The funding will be distributed by the Office for Students (OfS) directly to universities, which will prioritise the students most in need of help.

Universities minister Michelle Donelan 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 £50m will mean we have distributed £70m for hardship in this financial year alone – on top of the £256m of Governmentfunded student premium which universities can use for student support."

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the OfS, said: "The pandemic is having a profound and ongoing impact on students, with some facing severe financial hardship and struggling to cover accommodation and other costs."