Extra hardship payments for students

A £5 million package of emergency financial support is being put in place to help students facing hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Extra cash will be available to any university and college students now struggling as a result of Covid-19, including those attending private institutions.

The funding includes an additional £2.2 million for Scotland’s Higher Education (HE) Discretionary Fund specifically to address COVID-19-related hardships, which will be available to colleges and universities immediately.

University and college students will be able to apply for any emergency discretionary payments directly to their own institutions.

Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “We are ensuring students studying in Scotland should have access to emergency support should they be facing financial hardship as a result of Covid-19 or the social distancing and isolation measures that have been introduced.

“All bursaries, grants and loans are continuing to be paid as planned but the current unprecedented situation has resulted in increased hardship. That is why we are making extra funding immediately available for students most in need, to help alleviate concerns around accommodation costs, mental health issues, general living costs and wellbeing.”

Students can access the latest information on Covid-19 on the Student Information Scotland website.”

Extra hardship payments for students

8 April 2020