COVID-19 Response Fund reopens for another round of applications to help students in need of financial support
A fund set up to help students financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has reopened for a further round of grant applications.
If you are a Staffordshire University student and are in need of financial help, then you can apply to the reopened COVID-19 Response Fund.
The fund has already awarded more than 2,000 grants during a previous round of funding, giving students access to cash grants for a wide variety of assistance.
The fund will reopen at 12pm on Monday, 15 February with an application deadline of Monday, 22 February.
Students can apply for grants to support their learning through the lockdown. As well as helping to pay for any additional technology and furniture, the fund also invites applications from students who may be struggling with the basics of food and rent.
The three main areas to apply for are the Digital Learning Grant, the Remote Working Grant, and the General Living Grant.
For full details of what you can apply for, and to submit an application, please visit our website at COVID-19 Response Fund - Current students - Staffordshire University.
The COVID-19 Response Fund is open to all current Staffordshire University students, including international, distance learning, and postgraduate students. If you are studying at one of our partner colleges, you will need to contact your college directly to check what support is available to you.
To allow us to help as many students as possible, if you have already received a grant from the fund, then you cannot apply during this new round.
However, if you are experiencing an immediate financial crisis, or if you need to access the FoodHub, please contact the Students’ Union Advice Team who can arrange to put urgent support in place. You can speak to a member of the Advice Team on 01782 294629 or via email to sac@staffs.ac.uk from Monday to Friday, 10 am-4 pm.
If you are experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties, you can also apply to our Student Success (Support) Fund for additional support.
On the reopening of the covid-19 response fund, your Elected Officer team said,
"The overwhelming response to the fund last time highlights the crucial need for support for our students and we welcome the availability of more money for students in need. We believe this and the recurring themes the University saw in their applications, reinforces the reason why we are supporting the NUS #StudentsDeserveBetter campaign.
Students need the right to leave their accommodation contracts with no financial detriment if they are accessing education entirely online and universities need continued support from the government to provide internet access, care packages, and health and well-being support for their students so that they can succeed in their studies.
Positively, here at Staffs, the last fund was able to help 2404 students with around £650,000 of support. We have also been able to help students in immediate financial crisis through our Student Advice service and FoodHub provision, work with the university to put in place practical solutions like click and collect options, and signpost many more students to technical support they weren't already aware was available to them.
We encourage students who are struggling to reach out and ask for help, apply for this fund, and importantly for exceptional circumstances if the pandemic is affecting your ability to do your course."
Have something to say about how Covid19 is affecting your studies? Get in touch at union@staffs.ac.uk or have your say: