The Sheffield Hallam Coronavirus Appeal will provide financial support to students who are facing significant barriers, including family estrangement, caring responsibilities, and physical and mental ill health, to ensure they can continue with their studies.
Funding from the appeal will be used to bolster the extensive support the University is already providing.
Financial support will be given with the aim of ensuring students have access to the equipment and resources they need, with a significant number of disadvantaged students struggling to access the University remotely.
The fund will also provide additional help with living costs due to loss of income or any additional factors which place the most vulnerable students in a disadvantaged position.
Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor, said: “This is an extraordinarily difficult time for our students, and even more so for those grappling with caring responsibilities, loss of income and lack of the right equipment to access our online teaching and resources. Right now, it is more important than ever before for universities to do as much as possible to support disadvantaged students, many of whom are from communities who will bear the brunt of the economic impact of this crisis.
“The launch of Sheffield Hallam’s emergency fund demonstrates our commitment to ensuring all our students, whatever their background or financial position, can continue to progress their degrees during this difficult time.”
With thanks to donations to the University’s Hallam Fund from alumni, staff, and friends of the University, £10,000 has already been committed directly to support this appeal.
The Hallam Fund was established in 2016 and is funded through donations from alumni, staff, and friends of the University to provide additional support to innovative projects which benefit our student and research community.
As one of the largest universities in the UK, Sheffield Hallam has over 30,000 students, with 41% of our students coming from low income households.
Matt Parkin, Head of Student Funding at Sheffield Hallam, said: “This is an unprecedented time. Like all universities, we have seen a significant increase in applications for hardship funds from students whose circumstances are not covered by government measures.
“The University has funds to support those affected and will prioritise those most in need, but there is an unprecedented level of demand. Any funds raised will mean that we can help more students access the help they need to continue with their studies.”
The hardship fund is one of a variety of measures put in place to support students in light of the coronavirus situation which also include a dedicated webpage to provide guidance and updates to current students, staff, applicants and businesses, a help centre to provide further support via telephone and email, specialist online wellbeing support and online teaching and supervision.
Donations can be made via the appeal website.
