(Published Thursday 21st May 2020)

During this COVID19 period, we have been able to put a lot of plans in place which have provided financial support to all our members in diverse ways. Below are updates on actual financial gains our students have made so far:

Income to Student Staff at the SU

The University of Manchester Students' Union employs student staff to provide well-paid work alongside their studies as well as enhancing the overall experience of students engaging with SU services. However, due to COVID-19 and the government’s lockdown measures, it meant that these students were not going to be able to provide these services to earn the income they expected. However, we were able to migrate all our 320 student staff unto the Government furlough scheme. This has led to our students’ staff together receiving over £49,063 for April 2020.

Rent Savings for Students

Most of our members living in campus halls of residence, where it was possible for them to do so, left to either return home or to alternative living arrangements. We negotiated with the university and asked them to release these members from their rental contracts which they did. This came into effect from March 21st till the end of the academic year.

Hardship Fund benefits

As part of the process to ease the financial distress that the COVID-19 pandemic brought onto our members, a hardship fund was established through the student living cost fund. As of 11th May 2020, a total of 102 applications came through. 63 applications have been assessed. 48 applications out of the 63 were successful and have received a total of £25,100 in grants. 15 applications out of the 63 were rejected. The reasons for the rejection of these applications included: financial statements showing income exceeding expenditure, hence not demonstrating any obvious impact of COVID-19 on their finances; applicants having enough savings in their account; Still receiving funding from their funding organisations and one applicant was no longer a student.

Below is a graphical view of the demographic distribution of successful applications so far:

(If you're on mobile, tap here to view the hardship fund - successful applications for Undergraduates)

(If you're on mobile, tap here to view the hardship fund - successful applications for Postgraduates Taught)

(If you're on mobile, tap here to view the hardship fund - successful applications for Postgraduates Research - PGR/PHD)

Postgraduate Research Students who are on contract as Graduate teaching assistance (PGR) as still being paid. Some of these PGRs who are funded by UKRI and have had their research affected by COVID19 have received a 6-month extension to their funding. Another Other PGR students not receiving funding from UKRI and have evidence of their research being impacted by COVID19 and would require an extension to be able to complete it can also apply for funding from 3months to 6 months from the University via this link https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/coronavirus/faqs/pgr/ #researchextension)

We would like to re-emphasise that everyone who is a current student of the University of Manchester qualifies for this fund. You can still follow the links below to apply. Application link (https://bit.ly/UoMHardshipFund) Application Guide (https://bit.ly/FundApplicationGuide)

Stay safe.