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Read the latest updates from the University in response to the rising cost of living.

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31 March 2023

Cost of living update

Dear all,

Your University and Students’ Union have worked closely together throughout the winter to better understand how the rising cost of living is affecting our student community, and to respond with financial and wellbeing support. So far, this has included introducing a £3 million support fund to help students at all levels with additional costs, and launching a cost of living hub with information about the support, free facilities, and discounts available across the University and the Students’ Union: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cost-of-living/students 

We understand that ongoing concerns about your financial situation can seriously affect your studies, and a recent survey by the Russell Group Students' Unions shows the impact that the rising cost of living is having on students across the country.

We are therefore calling on the government to:

  • Increase the student maintenance loans in line with inflation
  • Consider the reintroduction of maintenance grants to support the most disadvantaged students
  • Review the parental income threshold for maximum loan support. 

The financial pressures recently felt by students have also been exacerbated by the current higher education funding model. The static cap on home student fees and rising inflation mean that higher education income has been under pressure in real terms for many years, and this can have a direct impact on student experience. We have been speaking to representatives from the government and opposition parties about the importance of a sustainable future funding model that ensures our students continue to receive the best possible education and student experience. 

We will continue to update you on the ongoing dialogue with the government about this important issue. 

We would also like to thank you  for taking the time to respond to our cost of living surveys. This has helped us to build a detailed picture of how the rising cost of living is affecting our students, and to raise issues on your behalf. Below, you can find an update on the support that is available from the University and the Students’ Union.

Best wishes,

Koen Lamberts

Vice-Chancellor

Liam Hand

Students’ Union President 

Financial Support for Students 

The University has committed up to £3 million to support you if you’re facing financial difficulties. The fund can help with:

  • Unpaid placement costs
  • Employability-related costs, for example if you need to buy new interview clothes
  • Graduation costs
  • The cost of IT equipment
  • Living costs
  • Energy costs
  • House hunting costs for students with dependents

Check the criteria and apply for financial support

Reimbursement for travel related to national industrial action

If you have incurred costs to travel to an exam and your journey has been cancelled without notice due to national strike action, you can apply to be reimbursed. 

To be eligible you’ll need to have had no other reason to attend campus other than your exam (for example, other classes or meetings) and will need to provide evidence to confirm the date and time of your exam, and to confirm your costs (for example, travel tickets).

Complete the reimbursement form to make a claim

Student Advice Centre

If you need help and support with money, housing or employment issues, the Student Advice Centre can offer guidance. They can also support you if you are applying for the University’s financial support fund. 

Access guidance from the Student Advice Centre

Wellbeing Support

We understand the stress that this cost of living crisis will cause you while you study. You’re not alone, and there are numerous services which are available to you if you need any support.

If you need someone to talk to, you can contact Nightline, a confidential, student-run, non-advisory, non-judgemental listening service 

Talk to Nightline

If you’re feeling down and overwhelmed then the University’s Student Wellbeing Service can also support you.

Contact the Wellbeing Service 

Connect with likeminded students with Umii, a free app that connects you to the other University of Sheffield students based on your interests, course type, and societies.

Download Umii

A-Z of University and Students’ Union support services

13 December 2022: Support with the cost of living 

Dear all, 

We know the rising cost of living may mean you are facing additional pressures on top of your studies, particularly as the weather turns colder and energy costs increase. The University and the Students’ Union are committed to helping you and we have been working closely throughout the semester to support our community. 

So far, this has included introducing a £3 million support fund to help students at all levels with additional costs, and launching a cost of living hub with information about the support, free facilities, and discounts available across the University and the Students’ Union.

Looking ahead to the new year, we will continue to work with sector bodies, such as Universities UK (UUK) and the Russell Group, to lobby the government to provide more support for students in response to the rising cost of living. Your Students’ Union Officer Team is also working with other students’ unions across the country.

Additionally, your Students’ Union (SU) Officer Team is collaborating on city-wide priorities with Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union. Their work is focussing on three key areas: reducing transport costs for students, supporting students with energy bills, and increasing the national minimum wage for those under 23. 

Below we are sharing the latest updates from the University and the Students’ Union, with details of the support that is available over the Christmas holidays.

We hope you have had a fulfilling Autumn semester and wish you a well deserved, restful break. 

Best wishes,

Koen Lamberts 
Vice-Chancellor 

Liam Hand 
Students’ Union President

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In this update: 

Buildings and facilities available during the Christmas break £3 million student support fund Global Campus Christmas programme Wellness Wednesdays at Sport Sheffield Financial support for student care leavers and estranged students Students’ Union deals  Community fridge Support from the SU and Student Advice Centre Support from Sheffield City Council

If you need help and support with money, housing or employment issues, the Student Advice Centre can offer guidance. They can also support you if you are applying for the University’s financial support fund.

To organise an appointment with a friendly advisor, email: advice@sheffield.ac.uk. 

Find more support from the Students’ Union, as well as money saving tips

If there are other ways you think the Students’ Union could support you during this time, you can share your suggestions via this form.

 

Support from Sheffield City Council

The Sheffield City Council website includes information about local and national support available to help you manage the increases in the cost of living.

Applications are still open, and will remain open throughout the academic year. Students at all levels can apply

Global Campus Christmas programme 

If you are planning to stay in Sheffield over the Christmas break, you can join a Global Campus event to meet others and celebrate the festivities. All events are free and open to all students. 

Join a Global Campus event

Wellness Wednesdays: Have a swim for £1 at Sport Sheffield

Sport Sheffield members can now book a swim at Sport Sheffield for just £1 between 1pm and 4pm on Wednesdays. You can then use the sauna, steam room and showers and join some of the Sport Sheffield team in the Sports Hall foyer for a cup of tea or coffee. 

The next Wellness Wednesday takes place on 14 December, and will return 4-25 January 2023.* Book online

* Please note that as of 19 January 2023 there is temporary closure of the swimming pool at Sport Sheffield.

Support for student care leavers, estranged students, and students with caring responsibilities

All students who receive the care leavers, estranged student, and carers bursary will receive a £50 voucher by email to help with additional costs over the festive period. (You do not need to request this voucher, it will be sent automatically to eligible students.)

SEDI Winter Social - Tuesday 20 December, 1-4pm: 

Socialise with others in Sheffield with crafts, games and snacks at our Winter Social! The event is open to all students staying in Sheffield over the holidays, including care leavers, estranged students or those who have caring responsibilities. Register to attend

Students’ Union deals

Deals and offers are available across Students’ Union outlets – including £1 breakfast options and lunch options from £2 at Our Shop, and £5 meals at Interval and Bar One. View the current offers

Community fridge

From February 2023, a community fridge will be available in the Students’ Union. Use the fridge to drop off unwanted or surplus food items for others to make use of, so they don’t go to waste. You can also pick up items from the fridge free of charge, if you’re short on food or money. 

The fridge will be in addition to the two community fridges located in the Residences.

Support from the SU and Student Advice Centre

Read more about what’s open over Christmas

£3 million student support fund

We encourage you to apply for our £3 million support fund if you are facing financial difficulties. The fund can help cover different expenses, including (but not limited to): 

living costs energy costs  unpaid placement costs employability-related costs IT equipment

Buildings and facilities available during the Christmas break

Our University and Students’ Union operations will mostly close between Friday 23 December and will reopen on Tuesday 3 January. However, some buildings will remain open over this period and we will continue to offer some support services and activities. 

Opening times over Christmas closure period: 

The Information Commons (IC) - open 24/7 throughout The University Health Service (UHS) - open 8.45am to 5pm throughout, closed on weekends and bank holidays. Sport Sheffield - open, operating limited hours with some closure days.
7 November 2022: Find support from the University on the cost of living hub

Dear all,

 

I wanted to provide an update on what the University is doing to support you in response to the rising cost of living. 

 

We have launched a new cost of living hub, which brings together information about all of the help available from the University and Students' Union. This includes details about how you can access financial support and the free facilities and discounts on offer across campus. You can visit these web pages at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cost-of-living

 

As I outlined in my previous email, the University has committed up to £3 million to help students facing financial difficulties due to the cost of living.

 

We have also increased:

- the stipend for postgraduate research students by 10 per cent
- our Participation Grant so eligible students can apply for up to £150 to help cover the costs of extracurricular activities
- our widening participation bursaries for eligible students by 10 per cent  

All eligible students can apply for financial support to assist with unforeseen costs, such as unpaid placement costs, employability-related costs, graduation costs, IT equipment, living costs, energy costs and house hunting expenses for students with dependents. We can also provide emergency food vouchers.

 

The University offers a number of financial support schemes for students: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/financial-support/university

 

To check the criteria and apply, visit: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/financial-support/application

 

On campus, our libraries offer free access to books and welcoming study spaces. You can also borrow equipment, including laptops, PCs, or creative media equipment for digital media projects, free of charge.

 

Our Global Campus programme provides free events for all students, with opportunities to make friends and socialise in warm spaces. If you live in University accommodation, Residence Life also offers regular, free events.

 

To help our University community, we are freezing all the 2021/22 pricing in all our cafes and bars across campus and in the residences until the end of July 2023. Your Students’ Union also has a range of offers and discounts across its food and drink outlets: https://su.sheffield.ac.uk/eat-drink-shop

 

If you need mental health or wellbeing support during this time, help is available through our Wellbeing Service and Mental Health services:


- Wellbeing Service - for anyone feeling down, overwhelmed or struggling with student life: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/wellbeing

- How to access our online support: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/mental-health/online-support

- Book a one-to-one appointment - with a wellbeing advisor in your faculty: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/wellbeing/appointments

- Mental health support: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/mental-health

We will continue to keep you updated on how we are supporting you during this challenging time.

Best wishes, 

Professor Koen Lamberts

Vice-Chancellor

23 September 2022: University support with the cost of living

Dear all, 

 

As Welcome Week comes to an end, we hope you had an excellent time discovering your campus and city, or settling back into life at Sheffield. 

 

As the new semester begins, we know that the rising cost of living is a concern for many. The University is dedicated to supporting you, and we intend to work with your Students’ Union to develop additional support measures. We’d like to take this opportunity to share the latest updates with you. 

 

Most importantly, the University is committing a total of up to £3 million to support students facing financial difficulties due to the rising cost of living. 

 

If you are facing financial pressure or unforeseen costs, you can apply if you meet the criteria. (The amount you may be rewarded may vary depending on your circumstances, so that we can help as many students as possible.)

 

Check the criteria and apply for financial support: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/financial-support/application 

 

We are also taking further proactive steps across the university to tackle the cost of living, including: 

- Increasing the funding available for the Participation Grant from £26,000 to £40,000 - to ensure all students can engage with extracurricular activities.
- A 10% increase to widening participation bursaries for eligible home-fee paying students. 
- Reviewing reading lists, with the aim of making reading material accessible through our libraries free of charge wherever possible.   

Understandably, the coming months may be an anxious time. If you need mental health or wellbeing support, help is available: 

 - Wellbeing Service - for if you’re feeling down, overwhelmed or struggling with student life: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/wellbeing 

 - How to access our online support: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/mental-health/online-support 

 - Book a one-to-one appointment with a wellbeing advisor in your faculty: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/wellbeing/appointments 

 - Mental health support: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/mental-health 

 

Best wishes, 

Professor Koen Lamberts

Vice-Chancellor