40,000 NI students to receive £500 covid payment
There’s also more cash for student hardship, digital poverty, and mental health provision on campus.
Last updated 4th Feb 2021
Students in Northern Ireland are to receive a one-off £500 lump sum, in recognition of disruption to studies that the covid-19 pandemic has caused.
An estimated 39,900 students will be eligible for the one-off, discretionary payment, which will cost a total of £22 million.
The initiative is part of a wider financial support package of almost £38 million for higher education signed off by the Stormont Executive on Thursday.
Ministers had already approved £10.4 million of this spend on Tuesday.
It comes amid calls for more financial help, with many students struggling to pay private rent and cover increased bills while working from home. Many have also lost part-time jobs due to the health crisis.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds, who has responsibility for higher education, said: “I am acutely aware that students in local higher education institutions have experienced significant disruption since the onset of the pandemic and that this continues to have an impact.”
The support package also includes:
- £8.5 million to address student financial hardship, digital poverty, and to support student unions with mental health provision.
- £4.1 million for the provision of a safe working, learning and research environment.
- £3.1 million to compensate universities for lost income arising from rental pauses and releasing students from accommodation contracts.
Welcoming the intervention, Queen's University Belfast president and vice-chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: “We particularly appreciate and will prioritise the allocation of targeted government funding for those students in most need.
“Queen's will use its best endeavours to ensure this reaches students as quickly as possible, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, those experiencing mental health difficulties, and those who do not have reliable access to digital technology that facilitates remote learning.''
Professor Paul Bartholomew, vice-chancellor, Ulster University, said: “We understand that student life during a pandemic can be an anxious time and are committed to supporting our students academically and personally.
“Our student wellbeing team is on hand to help, with all services available online, including financial support.
“We will work closely with the department to distribute these additional funds to our students as soon as possible.''