Help Students Overcome Financial Hardship

At the University of Kent, we know that financial challenges can often become barriers to education, even for the most dedicated students. For many, pursuing a degree means navigating immense financial pressures, especially amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The Challenges Our Students Face

• Cost-of-Living Crisis: Rising costs for housing, food, and transportation are straining students’ already limited budgets.
• Low-Income Backgrounds: Many students come from disadvantaged households and have no financial safety net to rely on.
• Balancing Studies and Work: Managing part-time jobs alongside academic commitments is a constant struggle for many.
• Health Issues or Disabilities: Disabled students face additional financial and logistical challenges while pursuing their studies.
• High Educational Expenses: Costs for textbooks, software, and essential study materials can feel overwhelming.
• Parenthood and Studies: Mature students who are also parents juggle family responsibilities alongside academic and financial pressures.
• Postgraduate Challenges: Limited funding options leave postgraduate students facing unique financial barriers.

Case Study: Charles’s Story

Charles, a second-year student, represents the resilience of many of our students in the face of financial hardship. Alongside his studies, Charles had the added responsibility of financially supporting his family. Balancing his own living expenses while sending money home for essential payments often left him unable to cover basic needs like rent and daily essentials, creating a stressful and precarious situation.

Thanks to the University’s Hardship Bursary, Charles received financial support that helped cover his rent and living costs, alleviating the immense pressure and enabling him to focus on his education. Charles’s story is just one example of the life-changing impact donors like you can have.

A Lifeline of Support

Last year, thanks to generous contributions from our community, we awarded hardship bursaries to 23 students, distributing a total of £15,000. These bursaries provided critical financial relief, helping students overcome barriers to their education.

How You Can Help

Your gift can make an immediate and meaningful difference to students like Charles:

• Monthly gift of £10: Covers health costs, such as prescriptions and dental care, for a student over the academic year.
• Monthly gift of £50: Enables a student to travel to and from the University throughout the year.
• £500 one-off gift: Provides a full hardship bursary for a student in medium need.
• £1,000 one-off gift: Provides a full hardship bursary for a student in high need.

Support Our Students to Overcome Challenges

Your generosity can provide students facing financial hardship with the resources they need to succeed. By alleviating financial pressures, you can help them to focus on their education, navigate unforeseen challenges, and achieve their aspirations. Together, we can create a brighter future for students in need.