NUS Scotland have called on the Scottish Government to provide greater financial support to students facing “unprecedented hardship” over the summer due to the cost-of-living crisis.
According to NUS Scotland research, 54% of students find coping financially over the summer months to be difficult, with rent, food, utilities and essential travel being named as the most pressing expenses.
In June 2021, the Scottish Government announced it would review summer support for students. Although £20 million of additional discretionary support was made available to students last summer, no new funds have been confirmed for 2022 as yet. The full allocation of discretionary funds for the 2022-23 academic year will be announced in August.
Commenting, NUS Scotland president Matt Crilly said: “Our survey of over 3500 students found that over half found coping financially during the summer difficult and 12% had experienced homelessness since starting their studies. Scotland will continue to fail its students if we don’t address the summer support gap.
“The Scottish Government has shown that where there is a will, they will find a way to provide cost-of-living support to households – they should do so now by issuing a Student Summer Payment to ensure no student falls into poverty this summer.”
Responding, a Scottish Government spokesperson told The National: “We understand this is a tough time for many students. Since last June we have distributed more than £37 million in Discretionary Funds to colleges and universities to support students facing financial hardship throughout the year, including over the summer months.
“In February, Further and Higher Education Minister Jamie Hepburn wrote to College and University Principals asking them to continue to prioritise the allocation of these hardship funds to those students most in need, and to take account of the impact of the rising cost of living.
“We continue to work closely with NUS and stakeholders on reviewing the support available to students over the summer.”
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