NEARLY 300,000 students will be seriously affected by the cost-of-living crisis if new financial support is not introduced, a report by a university association has warned.
A student recruitment and retention crisis could be created if the challenging conditions which they face are not addressed, the MillionPlus study found today.
The analysis made urgent recommendations for the government, the Office for Students and the Student Awards Agency Scotland.
Immediate increases to student maintenance grants, hardship funds and better inclusion of students in cost-of-living support measures announced in September were all recommended by the report.
MillionPlus head Rachel Hewitt said: “We must challenge the narrative that all students are 18-year-olds and are able to rely on parental support; increasingly with household budgets being squeezed this is not a lived reality.
“For mature students, those who are from low-participation areas, first-in-family or commuter students, the cost-of-living crisis seriously risks forcing them out of higher education and damaging their future prospects.
“If the UK government does not address the financial challenges ahead for students this academic year, it risks a student recruitment and retention crisis which could have a long-term damaging impact on its own education and skills agenda.”
Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, vice-chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University and chairman of MillionPlus, said the cost-of-living crisis will affect students from all backgrounds but will have a bigger impact on those already facing financial pressure.
“This risk can’t be averted by universities alone,” he said.
The organisation will hold a fringe event at the Scottish National Party (SNP) conference where Scottish government higher education minister Jamie Hepburn will be part of a panel discussion.
Mr Hepburn called the report “extremely concerning” and said it “reinforces the urgent need for the UK government to properly address the cost-of-living crisis.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “To support students with living costs, we have increased maintenance loans every year, meaning disadvantaged students now have access to the highest-ever amounts in cash terms.
“Students who are worried about making ends meet should speak to their university about the support they can access.
“This year universities can boost their hardship funds by drawing on up to £261 million we have made available through the Office for Students.”
