Hardship

Our student population is diverse, and their needs vary, but we are committed to providing financial support to all students in need.

In April 2020, in response to the increasing number of our students facing financial difficulties resulting from coronavirus, we launched an emergency appeal to raise funds for the Hardship Fund, a fund that provides financial support for students in urgent need. Thanks to our community of donors we have raised more than £315,000 to date. 

We're moving on from the pandemic, but the Hardship Fund is here to stay, and will always be there to support our students in need.

The cost-of-living crisis, drops in family household income, sudden loss of employment, and digital poverty are all examples of why our students sometimes need extra financial support.

Our Hardship Fund supports students in four key areas: 

• Living costs – helping with core living costs such as utility bills, food and transport
• Residential costs – helping cover the cost of rent
• Equipment and digital costs – helping to pay for IT equipment or to secure internet access required for study 
• Childcare – helping with costs related to childcare 

Donations made to the Hardship Fund go directly to students in need making their lives easier and allowing them to confidently continue their education here at Essex. By donating, you can help ease the financial burdens that students face and are often out of their control.