In a move to support international students, the UK government recently announced a £15m hardship fund to help students in financial difficulty.
In a press release published Wednesday (January 11, 2023), the Department for Education said that the additional amount in hardship funding intends to help students cover their living and other expenses throughout their studies.
Find out more in this article about
How this fund is being used and what it means for those studying abroad in the UK?.
Introduction to the UK Government Hardship Fund for Foreign Students
As the cost of living in the UK continues to rise, many foreign students are finding it difficult to make ends meet. In an effort to help these students, the government has announced a hardship fund of £15m.
This fund will provide financial assistance to those who are struggling to pay for their accommodation, food and other essential costs.
The budget will firstly be allocated to universities, which will then have to allocate it to students who need it the most. Moreover, the £15 million package will bring the total sum to £276 million this academic year, from which universities can draw to support their students.
The hardship fund is open to all foreign students who are enrolled at a UK university or college.
To apply for the fund, students will need to provide evidence of their financial hardship. This could include;
bank statements,
bills and
other documents that show how much money they have coming in and going out each month. The government will then assess each application on a case-by-case basis.
If you’re a foreign student studying in the UK and finding it hard to make ends meet, you may be eligible for the government’s hardship fund.
How to apply for the Hardship Fund
To apply for the hardship fund, students need to contact the student service department at the university or college. They will decide if you qualify:
You’ll need:
In order to be eligible for the funding, students must be enrolled on a course at a UK university or college and face financial hardship due to the pandemic.
The hardship fund will provide grants of up to £500 per student which can be used to cover essential costs such as food, accommodation, and travel.
Students who receive funding from the hardship fund will not have to repay it. The online application form for the hardship fund is expected to go live in early May and applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Impact of this Funding on Foreign Students in the UK
The UK government has announced a new £15m hardship fund to support foreign students in the UK. It is expected that around 3,000 students will benefit from the fund. This is a much-needed lifeline for many foreign students who have been left struggling.
Under the scheme, student renters who pay their energy bills directly to a domestic provider will benefit a £400 discount over six months.
The government’s announcement was much-admired by the UK university sector body, Universities UK (UUK), saying that students are going through difficult times, especially those whose annual income is low. The fund will help them to stay in the UK and continue their studies.
Other Support Available to Foreign Students in the UK
In addition to the hardship fund, several other support mechanisms are available to foreign students in the UK. These include:
The Student Loans Company: The Student Loans Company offers loans and grants to eligible students studying in the UK. For more information, visit their website or contact their Customer Services team.
The British Council: The British Council offers a range of services and support for international students, including information on scholarships, visas, and financing your studies. Visit their website for more information.
UKCISA: UKCISA is a national organisation that provides advice and information for international students studying in the UK. Visit their website for more information on the support they offer.
Conclusion
The UK government’s announcement of a £15m hardship fund to support foreign students is an important step in ensuring that international students are able to continue their studies without undue financial burden.
This additional support will help ensure that no student has to sacrifice their education due to a lack of resources and allow them the opportunity to reach their potential.
We hope that this fund can be expanded in the future so more international students can benefit from its support.
Note: For further information, students can explore this link and contact their university.
University and College hardship funds 
