College students are struggling financially and some are relying on food banks to survive, the NUS students’ union has warned. 

A recent survey by the NUS found that 58 per cent of further education students had a job alongside their education - and 85 per cent of these students reported that their employment had been affected by Covid-19. 

At Monday’s meeting of the Commons Education Select Committee, NUS national president Zamzam Ibrahim warned that students were turning to food banks to support themselves through the current pandemic.

Coronavirus: NUS calls for £60m student hardship fund

News: Government ‘must invest billions to tackle unemployment’

Long read: How FE is supporting mental health during lockdown

Ms Ibrahim said that institutions were having to raise funds and ask alumni for donations to offer financial help to those in need. She said that some had managed to raise tens of thousands of pounds but warned that once these funds ran out, there would be no further financial support for students. 

Students were eligible for financial aid if they had less than £500 in their bank account, she said - and one institution has had to fundraise to get its fund to £40,000, and yet it was still only able to offer students a maximum of £500.

She said that another institution had over 200 applications and had awarded over £30,000 in the past two weeks alone. 

Coronavirus: ‘Create a hardship fund for college students’

Students should not have to rely on the benevolence of their predecessors for their next meal, Ms Ibrahim said. “Many have lost their main sources of income during the current pandemic and 80 per cent of students are concerned about their ability to manage financially,” she explained.

“We know that individual institution hardship funds are doing their best, but they are already overwhelmed and having to fundraise to provide further support or set up food banks to ensure students can feed themselves.

“The government keeps telling us, ‘We’re in this and will get through this together,’ but we shouldn’t have to rely on past students and the public putting their hands in their pockets to make sure students can have a meal.”

The NUS previously urged the government to introduce a £60 million hardship fund for all students in further and higher education. 

The fund would act as an economic package for those who complete their qualifications during the current pandemic, providing access to a grant that can be used for training, reskilling or development. 

NUS vice-president for further education Juliana Mohamad-Noor said that students rely on income from jobs in order to support themselves.

She said: “Many will now be concerned about their ability to afford basic necessities. Students need a safety net, including £60 million of hardship funding to be directed to colleges and universities to support students. 

“Students are one of the few groups not eligible for universal credit and cannot be left to fall through the gaps in support measures announced.”

A Department for Education said: “We know how difficult this time is for students across the country and there is a range of support available.

“Students aged 16-19 can apply for bursaries of up to £1,200, with discretionary bursaries also available to help with travel costs and funding also available for free meals where needed. The Adult Education Budget provides assistance for those over 19 to overcome barriers which prevent them from taking part in learning.

“We urge those looking for support to speak to their FE provider.”