The government has announced £50m funding for students - here's how to apply
Today the government announced £50 million to support students who have been impacted by Covid-19.
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on today's Good Morning Britain the government would be announcing the funds because 'they understand how difficult it is for students'.
The new funding means that universities will be able to help students impacted by the pandemic, for example those facing additional costs for alternative accommodation, loss of employment, or extra costs to access their teaching online.
Universities will distribute the funding and will be able to prioritise the funding to those most in need of help.
Ms Donelan said: "This continues to be an incredibly difficult and challenging time for our students, and I am hugely grateful to all the university staff working hard to prioritise their health, wellbeing and learning during this pandemic.
"The additional £50 million that we are announcing today will mean we have distributed £70m for hardship in this financial year alone – on top of the £256m of government-funded student premium which universities can use for student support this academic year."
She added: "This additional support will provide real, tangible help for those students struggling financially as a result of the pandemic. We will continue to prioritise a full return to education as soon possible, in line with public health advice. I am also working with universities and professional bodies to ensure students can graduate as planned."
The increased financial support comes as the majority of students have been asked to continue their studies remotely, as part of measures to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.
The Department for Education also said it welcomes the decision from some universities to provide rent rebates to students who are not staying at their term-time address and encouraged others to join and provide partial refunds.
In addition to the hardship fund a group of lawyers have suggested some students may be able to apply for a tuition fee rebate.
If a student can prove that their education provided by the university is 'inferior' to their normal course and would 'significantly devalue their degree' then they might be able to apply for compensation in some form - although it could mean a legal battle with the education provider.
James Betts, an associate solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, suggests taking your matter internally to the university complains department and if that fails a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education may work, but any complaint to this office must be brought within 12 months of the decision being challenged.
Here's how to apply:
The government's press release on the funding says any students experiencing hardship or struggling financially related to Covid-19 should contact their university or higher education provider.
The funding will be distributed by the Office for Students directly to universities, which are best placed to assess student hardship locally.
The Department for Education website says:
Universities will be able to help students, including international students, impacted by the pandemic, for example those facing additional costs arising from having to maintain accommodation in more than one location, or an inability to maintain employment, such as a job based close to their term-time accommodation for which they cannot access the furlough scheme, or to support students to access teaching remotely.