University launches new Crisis Support Fund for students affected by COVID-19

Student on computer

The University of Liverpool has launched a new Student Crisis Support Fund to provide support to students and their families facing financial hardship as a result of the current global pandemic.

An increasing number of our students will be facing financial hardship as a result of the global pandemic, including, but not limited to, being unable to work part-time; reduced family income; increased costs associated with home learning (e.g. mobile data, IT etc.); increased rental term if unable to travel home or if landlords are unwilling to reimburse. Additionally, some students may be directly affected by the disease and/or have caring responsibilities for affected family members.

Student Crisis Support Fund

There is expected to be an increased demand on the existing Student Hardship Fund for requests for support from students during the summer months in particular. Additionally, there will be an expected increase in the number of applicants applying or eligible for bursaries or accommodation discounts from 2020/2021 as students’ family income may be impacted/reduced as a result of COVID-19.

To help meet this increased demand for support the University has launched the Student Crisis Support Fund to help students and their families facing financial hardship as a result of the global pandemic.

The new fund is part of the wider COVID-19 Emergency Response Campaign that was successfully launched in March and has already raised more than £200,000 in support of the University’s research into COVID-19 and its treatment.

Fundraising is continuing and thanks to a legacy gift and generous support from Santander, we are able to match-fund any gifts made.

Professor Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, said: “Some of our students have been significantly affected financially by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or now have additional caring responsibilities for affected family members and regrettably, will continue to do so for some time.

“As such, it is very important that now, more than ever, they feel supported. It is our sincere hope that this new fund will further assist our students in these difficult times.”

Eligibility

Students will be eligible if they are unable to work and they have no other financial support including parental support.

The fund will be open all current University of Liverpool students including:

• UK, EU and international students
• Undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Full and part-time students
• 2020 graduates (applications accepted until Tuesday, 30 June)

Students who want to apply are being asked to complete a short form available on our Money Advice and Guidance pages which they should email to money@liverpool.ac.uk

All money awarded from the COVID-19 Student Crisis Support Fund will be made on a grant basis and will not need to be repaid.

Further information

Further information for students is available on our Money Advice and Guidance pages.

Any students with further queries about the COVID-19 Student Crisis Support Fund are being asked to contact the Money Advice and Guidance Team on money@liverpool.ac.uk

International students can also contact the International Advice and Guidance team on IAGteam@liverpool.ac.uk