Update from Amelia: tackling financial hardship now and in the future

Thursday 11-06-2020 - 10:02
Amelia

Covid-19 has highlighted the existing weaknesses in the ways Durham University financially supports students. These unprecedented circumstances have meant that many students are experiencing increasing difficulty in paying for accommodation, tuition fees and travel expenses, and may find themselves unable to access previously available financial support. There is real stress and anxiety at the moment due to the continued uncertainty for students across our community. 

I want you to know that financial hardship is one of our top priorities throughout the pandemic. We are actively working to not only get you through the crisis, but to embed better practice for the future. It’s not news that Durham University's Student Support Fund can be difficult for students to apply for, and that there is a lack of transparency as to what students can get help for. We want to work with the University to dismantle some of the barriers students face in accessing financial support and to create better, more inclusive practices for students that are disproportionately affected by the crisis. 

But as Durham students yourselves, you best know what specific difficulties around financial hardship you’re facing. And I want to make sure that future conversations we have with the University Finance Department are led by your experiences. So please fill out the survey below to help shape our work to make financial support at Durham effective for all students. 

We believe, as your Students’ Union, that the Durham experience should be open to all its students and not be predicated on your socioeconomic background, or financial security. And we hope this work is a step towards making it so. 

If you are experiencing financial hardship, tell us about your experiences here.

And if you are unsure how to get help, then please contact the SU Advice Service. Our advisers can't provide financial advice, but may be able to help you find the support you need. Just get in touch using the contact details below.

 

*Please note: the Advice Service helpline is not a crisis number, in an emergency please use 999 as usual.

 

 

Categories:

Covid-19, Welfare and Liberation Officer

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