"Don't just leave": Stamford education boss urges students to get help with the cost of living
A rise in the inflation rate will pile more pressure on student finances
A Stamford education boss is urging students not to drop out of university this winter due to cost-of-living concerns.
Earlier this month it was revealed 300,000 university students would be gravely impacted by the cost of living if financial support wasn't introduced.
After it was announced that the inflation rate hit a 40-year-high for the second time in three months in September (10.1% also in July), there's more concern over how some students will cope.
University Centre Peterborough has campuses in Stamford and Peterborough - Academic Director Liz Knight says there is support available at higher education institutions:
'I think the most important thing is, it's going to be hard, probably some good budgets needed, meal planning, those types of things - but please go and talk to someone at your provider, don't just leave.'
She says there's a number of options students can discuss, including hardship funds, changes to bursaries, or even the possibility of transferring credits and moving to a provider nearer to home.
'There could even be some financial liability for them - fee liability, just for studying a semester, so go and talk to your university or college that you're studying at and see what can be done', she added.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the Government would prioritise help for the most vulnerable, after the inflation rate hit a 40-year-high.
Last month a Department for Education Spokesperson said universities can boost their hardship funds by drawing on £261m made available by the Government through the Office for Students.