The University of Hull has launched a new fund to support students who are feeling the strain financially due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Exceptional Circumstances Grant is designed to help those who are struggling to cover essentials including food and travel home. The fund is available immediately, and is available to students who may have lost an income stream on which they rely – for instance a part-time job to accompany study or a reduction in hours– due to the effects of Coronavirus.
The Exceptional Circumstances Grant offers a one-off payment of up to £200 for students without dependents, and up to £400 for those with dependents.
Anji Gardiner, Director of Student Services at the University of Hull, said: “The rapidly-evolving Coronavirus situation has posed an unprecedented challenge for people all over the country, and is also having an unfortunate impact on many of our students who had part time jobs to help finance their living costs whilst at university.
“As restaurants, shops and leisure facilities have temporarily closed, this has meant students need additional support to help fund basic essentials including food, or a train ticket home.
“The University moved quickly to do everything it can to keep our staff and students safe while continuing the work of the University in a different, remote way.
“It is our sincere hope that this new fund will further assist our students in these difficult times.”
The new fund is the latest measure introduced by the University of Hull, in a bid to ensure student safety and wellbeing during these difficult times.
Learning and assessments are being delivered online, and staff at the University are working around the clock to enable students to continue to achieve their learning outcomes and to progress.
The University’s Student Services team is also continuing to deliver its service, including mental health support, help relating to academic issues, immigration and visa compliance, careers service and disability inclusion over the phone, live chat and video calls.
Library resources will continue to be available online. These include the resources students need to study, and access academic skills and advice.
Full details on the Exceptional Circumstances Grant, including how to apply for the fund, can be found here.
Existing forms of financial support (in particular the hardship fund) remain open for those students who are experiencing financial hardship irrespective of the coronavirus outbreak.