Supporting students in these turbulent times
The past few years have been a turbulent time for many. The ripple effects of the pandemic, the profound impact of conflict and wars, and growing global inequality compounded by sharp increases in the cost of living mean that our students’ lives are less certain than ever. Being able to help students in these uncertain times has never been more important.
LSE’s Hardship Fund supports students who have fallen into short-term, unforeseen hardship, allowing them to focus on their studies and extra-curricular activities, rather than worrying about their financial situation. Awards are between £500 and £3,500, and can help with accommodation and living costs, purchasing of technology, funds to travel home, or for any other urgent needs.
In the first term of this academic year alone, the Financial Support Office has awarded £108,000 in hardship support to 51 students. Below are quotes from three of these students, whose stories show the impact these awards have on their ability to successfully complete their degrees.
We are incredibly grateful to our alumni and friends who support the Hardship Fund. Since the start of our Shaping the World Campaign, you have donated an incredible £428,484 towards supporting students in this way. Donations, regardless of size, help to ensure that any student facing unforeseen financial difficulty can receive the help they need to be able to continue their studies to the best of their ability. Thank you.
Coming from a low-income background and also facing a sudden increase in my rent, receiving hardship funding has enabled me to continue my studies. Without it I probably wouldn’t have been able to remain at LSE. It allows me to study without daily financial worry and gives me more time to focus on my extracurricular activities such as societies and my parliamentary internship, both of which are further enriching my experience at LSE. Thank you for supporting students who, without access to this fund, may have had to abandon their studies.
Receiving hardship funding has helped me tremendously. Last term I thought I would have to find another part-time job on top of the two I already had and I was incredibly worried that this would start to have an impact on my studies and my mental health. Therefore, I would like to give all my thanks to you because I genuinely don't think I would be able to have carried on my studies at LSE without the funding, so I am very grateful - thank you very much! I now feel so much more positive and excited about continuing my studies.
When I applied for the hardship funding I was constantly stressed and overwhelmed. I was trying very hard to both contribute to my studies and to help my parents by paying for my own rent through part-time work in a restaurant. However, it had become a nightmare, as I felt my studies were being impacted. When I received Hardship Fund support I felt relieved because I could start to study properly – and enjoy it – making the most of my time at LSE without worrying about how I could survive the next month. Thank you for removing the financial stress from my daily life.
