£5.6million available to alleviate student hardship with additional £1.4million announced
Date published:
Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced an additional £1.4million to alleviate student hardship, bringing the total available to £5.6million in the 2020/21 financial year.
Commenting on the announcement, the Minister said: “Each year my Department makes available support funds to the local Higher Education Institutions for distribution to students who can demonstrate genuine financial hardship.
“This year I have been acutely aware more students will be facing additional financial pressure and challenges as a result of Covid-19.
“In May of this year the Executive approved my bid for an additional £1.4million to support students who have been suffering financially due to the impacts of the virus. I am now pleased to be able to announce a further £1.4million to address financial hardship from my Department and as a result of this we are now able to increase the total of the student hardship fund to £5.6million.”
The Minister added: “I would encourage any students who may be experiencing financial hardship as a result of Covid-19, or for any other reason, to contact their Higher Education Institution to determine if they are eligible to receive support.”
Notes to editors:
- £1.4m was approved by the Executive on the 19 May 2020 for use for Covid-19 related student hardship.
- The additional £1.4m was sourced through the Department’s June monitoring and will be resourced from the Department for the Economy budget.
- This additional funding has been added to the approx. £2.8m previously awarded to Northern Ireland Higher Education Institutions for the 2020/21 financial year.
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