A Russell Group institution has become the first to provide students experiencing financial hardship with an energy allowance.
The University of York announced that £150 would be granted to student households that are struggling to pay their bills as part of a £6 million programme to assist the most vulnerable students.
The Household Energy Grant will be awarded to 2,000 households; however, households will only be eligible if they are wholly occupied by students.
A University of York survey indicated that two-thirds of its students were concerned about their finances, with 11% indicating they didn’t discuss their concerns with anyone.
It comes as the National Union of Students (NUS) warns that one-third of UK students now have £50 or less to survive on after paying costs each month.
‘The expense of living is one of the main issues facing our students when they arrive to start or resume their studies this term,’ said the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Charlie Jeffery, following the award announcement.
‘We also know that many people are concerned about how they will pay their expenses.’
‘Even though energy prices are now capped, they will still be roughly double what they were last year.’
‘Government assistance initiatives will have an impact, but many of our kids are in a difficult situation.’
‘While many of our students reside on campus, the Household Energy Grant is intended to assist students who live off campus and experience significant financial pressure when energy expenses grow.’
Millions of individuals around the country are having to tighten their belts due to the continuous cost of living issue caused by rising oil costs and high inflation rates.
However, a technical recession is defined as a decrease for two consecutive quarters, therefore the UK is still not in one.
The university, which was ranked 24th in the UK last year, said it expects to help students even more in the coming months.
The energy assistance package will be utilized in conjunction with current programs such as rent bursaries, emergency loans, and the student union’s ‘Access Opportunities fund,’ which will allow struggling students to participate in activities.
In an effort to alleviate period poverty, the college began giving free sanitary items in January of this year.
The NUS has commended the new support packages but has stressed that the government must step in to assist those who have been left most vulnerable.
‘This is a significant gain for York University Students’ Union in pushing its students’ needs to the top of the agenda, and is a terrific example of an institution and students’ union working together to serve its students,’ said NUS Vice President Higher Education Chloe Field.
‘We would encourage other universities to follow York’s lead, but the government must also accept responsibility and provide help to students across the country.’
‘So far, students have been denied the majority of government assistance. Students risk a postcode lottery for council tax rebates and may miss out on energy bill savings if they live in bills-included housing.’
The I writes that as the cost-of-living problem worsens, the number of undergraduates quitting college has increased by almost a quarter this year.
According to Student Loans Company data, nearly 40,000 students throughout the UK dropped out of their university degrees and stopped receiving student loans.
‘In addition, full-time students cannot get Universal Credit, which provides significant support,’ Ms Field noted.
‘Ministers should intervene by promptly and drastically boosting the level of maintenance assistance available to students, restoring non-repayable grants, and intervening to curb surging rent, energy, and transportation expenses.’