The Student Room Group

Covid has had 'major impact' on student hardship

Poll

Have you experienced financial difficulties as a student due to Covid-19?

https://www.tes.com/news/student-hardship-25-say-covid-had-major-impact

Coronavirus is having major impact on students income, with the TES writing an article based on a survey from the NUS.

'A quarter of students believe the pandemic continues to have a “major impact” on their income, according to a new survey from the National Union of Students (NUS).
The NUS surveyed almost 4,200 further education learners, apprentices and higher education students. The union found that three in five students felt the pandemic continued to have some impact on their income, with one in five having had working hours reduced and one in 10 put on furlough.
The NUS is calling for greater financial support for students, on top of the £20 million in hardship funding in England announced by the Office for Students in December.

Have you been experiencing any financial difficulties as a result of the Covid pandemic? Is it more difficult now in our third lockdown, or at the beginning of the pandemic?

Have you had any support from universities in the form of a hardship fund, or financial support in any way?

What would be helpful for you if you are struggling?

Let us know your thoughts!
how have people had better financial opportunities as a result of the pandemic?
Original post by yeye21
how have people had better financial opportunities as a result of the pandemic?

saving more / online business / got a job / refunds on certain things which they'd use day to day...?
Original post by V℮rsions
saving more / online business / got a job / refunds on certain things which they'd use day to day...?

got a job? Must be a minority.

I suppose some online businesses would have benefitted
Original post by yeye21
how have people had better financial opportunities as a result of the pandemic?

Yeah as Versions says, some people have been able to save more or start a job from home when they may not have been able to do that previous. People have had lots of different experiences this pandemic so it's important to remember that and include it as part of the discussion :smile:
Original post by StrawberryDreams
https://www.tes.com/news/student-hardship-25-say-covid-had-major-impact

Coronavirus is having major impact on students income, with the TES writing an article based on a survey from the NUS.

'A quarter of students believe the pandemic continues to have a “major impact” on their income, according to a new survey from the National Union of Students (NUS).
The NUS surveyed almost 4,200 further education learners, apprentices and higher education students. The union found that three in five students felt the pandemic continued to have some impact on their income, with one in five having had working hours reduced and one in 10 put on furlough.
The NUS is calling for greater financial support for students, on top of the £20 million in hardship funding in England announced by the Office for Students in December.

Have you been experiencing any financial difficulties as a result of the Covid pandemic? Is it more difficult now in our third lockdown, or at the beginning of the pandemic?

Have you had any support from universities in the form of a hardship fund, or financial support in any way?

What would be helpful for you if you are struggling?

Let us know your thoughts!

Hi!

Myself and others have experienced financial difficulty during the pandemic. This is because most students rely on income and jobs that are flexible hours contracts or in the catering business, ie. working in clubs, restaurants, events staff etc. Without this extra income, it has been difficult to afford some amenities, especially if their loan does not cover their rent for the month. A lot of students have felt that have been forgotten.

I know a few people who have had to rely on the hardship fund, but they said it was a lengthy process, as a lot of information was required from them. However, our university has been helpful in replying to and helping these people. And have been significantly been looking at student wellbeing.

I hope you get lots of response from these posts!
Chloe - Official Student Rep :smile:
Original post by yeye21
how have people had better financial opportunities as a result of the pandemic?

A significant number of people have done fine out of this. Some trades are more popular and less affected than others.

A look at the profits many retailers have racked up tells you just how much there is to be made buying and selling in times of crisis. I know at least 5 people who have side jobs making making and selling masks and such. It's gave a lot of people the motivation to start and think about new businesses, esp if they've just been turfed out their old one or see that it has no future. (huge upswing in home crafts anyway)

(That bugger that owns the bike shop near me must have went from 'struggling' to 'Honey! We're buying a yacht!' in the space of the first few months)

Personally I deferred, so i'm not forking out £300 in commuting and I have time to work any jobs that take my fancy.
(edited 4 years ago)
Original post by University of Portsmouth Student Rep
Hi!

Myself and others have experienced financial difficulty during the pandemic. This is because most students rely on income and jobs that are flexible hours contracts or in the catering business, ie. working in clubs, restaurants, events staff etc. Without this extra income, it has been difficult to afford some amenities, especially if their loan does not cover their rent for the month. A lot of students have felt that have been forgotten.

I know a few people who have had to rely on the hardship fund, but they said it was a lengthy process, as a lot of information was required from them. However, our university has been helpful in replying to and helping these people. And have been significantly been looking at student wellbeing.

I hope you get lots of response from these posts!
Chloe - Official Student Rep :smile:

Thanks so much for posting your experience Chloe :smile:


That's a really great point about welfare - thanks so much for sharing :smile:

Original post by StriderHort
A significant number of people have done fine out of this. Some trades are more popular and less affected than others.

A look at the profits many retailers have racked up tells you just how much there is to be made buying and selling in times of crisis. I know at least 5 people who have side jobs making making and selling masks and such. It's gave a lot of people the motivation to start and think about new businesses, esp if they've just been turfed out their old one or see that it has no future. (huge upswing in home crafts anyway)

(That bugger that owns the bike shop near me must have went from 'struggling' to 'Honey! We're buying a yacht!' in the space of the first few months)

Personally I deferred, so i'm not forking out £300 in commuting and I have time to work any jobs that take my fancy.

If you don't mind me asking did you defer due to financial worries? Or were there other factors? Absolutely no pressure to answer if you don't want to :smile:
Original post by StrawberryDreams
If you don't mind me asking did you defer due to financial worries? Or were there other factors? Absolutely no pressure to answer if you don't want to :smile:


My priority was more personal recuperation. I'd been caring for my mum who passed away so getting my 1 year HND actually took 3 finishing part time. Finishing that last year really took it out of me and has killed my passion for my subject a bit. I just wouldn't make good use of this year with the additional stresses.

Quality of distance learning second. Horticulture obv has lots of practical and lab elements and I'd have missed out on a lot. Even for the sessions this year my uni was able to offer, I wouldn't have felt safe commuting through Scotland's 2 busiest train stations every rush hour for them.

Finance was likely last tbh - I was really skint and considered taking up my place this year just for the reliable loan, even it meant just failing the year/not trying, I apparently get an extra bursary for jumping from HND to Bsc as well. I rent a flat privately and have a good relationship with my landlord so I was able to hammer out an payment/arrears allowance pretty early. As I'm between qualifications I'm also allowed to claim full Universal Credit as well. Realistically I'm aware my situation is a lot safe and more flexible than many younger students.
Original post by StriderHort
My priority was more personal recuperation. I'd been caring for my mum who passed away so getting my 1 year HND actually took 3 finishing part time. Finishing that last year really took it out of me and has killed my passion for my subject a bit. I just wouldn't make good use of this year with the additional stresses.

Quality of distance learning second. Horticulture obv has lots of practical and lab elements and I'd have missed out on a lot. Even for the sessions this year my uni was able to offer, I wouldn't have felt safe commuting through Scotland's 2 busiest train stations every rush hour for them.

Finance was likely last tbh - I was really skint and considered taking up my place this year just for the reliable loan, even it meant just failing the year/not trying, I apparently get an extra bursary for jumping from HND to Bsc as well. I rent a flat privately and have a good relationship with my landlord so I was able to hammer out an payment/arrears allowance pretty early. As I'm between qualifications I'm also allowed to claim full Universal Credit as well. Realistically I'm aware my situation is a lot safe and more flexible than many younger students.

Thank you for sharing your story - it's really useful to hear all the different things that impacted people's decisions. I'm so sorry to hear of your mum's passing as well, hope you're taking care.
It's had a slight impact on my income, as in previous years I always worked at things like open days, and this year they aren't happening in the same way. For in person open days they hired a lot of students for the whole day (so we got like 6-8 hours pay) but this year they're hiring many fewer students and mainly only hiring each person for a 30/60 minute slot. However the open days only happened a handful of times each year, so it's not like my income took a major hit.

I know some students who've been furloughed or had hours cut, but none of my friends who work retail/hospitality have lost their jobs. I'm sure lots of students have though. On the other hand, my uni's covid testing centre pays quite well so a few friends have got jobs there, and I know some med/nursing students are waiting to here back about vaccinator positions.
Original post by yeye21
how have people had better financial opportunities as a result of the pandemic?


If you can live from home instead of paying for expensive accommodation because everything is online. (That's the case for me anyway) I can spend money more frivolously as I don't need to worry about rent.
Original post by StrawberryDreams
Thanks so much for posting your experience Chloe :smile:


That's a really great point about welfare - thanks so much for sharing :smile:


If you don't mind me asking did you defer due to financial worries? Or were there other factors? Absolutely no pressure to answer if you don't want to :smile:

Hi!

I'm in my third year of university.
However, before I started university for the first year I did defer university for a year due to financial worries. I worked out how much of a maintenance loan I would receive and concluded this would not be enough. So I spent a year working full time to save some money.

Hope this helps!
Chloe - Official Student Rep :smile:

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