Wednesday 08-04-2020 - 15:18

NUS Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government's response to concerns raised by student representatives, with the announcement of a package of support available to students facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

 

Support announced by the Scottish Government includes:

• £5 million across further and higher education to support students facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak
• a commitment to pay bursaries, loans, and grants as planned, with ongoing and advice to college and university students on financial support issues
• an extension of the Care-Experienced Accommodation Grant

 

Commenting, NUS Scotland President Liam McCabe said:

 

“Students are facing untold disruption to their studies, work and lives, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant implications for their financial security.

 

"Given the financial pressure students are under, we welcome today’s announcement, which we hope will relieve some of the hardship faced by Scotland’s most vulnerable students. It’s crucial that institutions make these funds easy to access, and ensure that they are open to all students who need them.

 

“We must keep track of student demand for hardship funding during this pandemic to ensure that no student in need of support ever goes without.”