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| Student hardship pleas 'increase' | Student hardship pleas 'increase' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| There has been a big increase in the number of university students across the UK applying for emergency hardship funds, research by the BBC suggests. | There has been a big increase in the number of university students across the UK applying for emergency hardship funds, research by the BBC suggests. |
| Of the 18 universities contacted, 11 saw rises as students struggle to pay fees and costs as part-time work dries up and more parents lose their jobs. | Of the 18 universities contacted, 11 saw rises as students struggle to pay fees and costs as part-time work dries up and more parents lose their jobs. |
| Plymouth says requests are up by 38% and Newcastle 20%. University College London and Cardiff also reported rises. | Plymouth says requests are up by 38% and Newcastle 20%. University College London and Cardiff also reported rises. |
| Ministers say they are doing what they can to ensure finance is not a barrier. | Ministers say they are doing what they can to ensure finance is not a barrier. |
| The National Union of Students says it is concerned about the trend. | The National Union of Students says it is concerned about the trend. |
| About 50% of students work during term time, using the money to pay for tuition, accommodation, food and socialising. | About 50% of students work during term time, using the money to pay for tuition, accommodation, food and socialising. |
| Least well-off | Least well-off |
| BBC Breakfast found that Manchester Metropolitan University was one of those reporting a big increase in applications. | BBC Breakfast found that Manchester Metropolitan University was one of those reporting a big increase in applications. |
| Tricia Joyce, the university's student financial support officer, said: "We have got a 25% increase in applications to the access to learning fund than this time last year and in the last month we have had an almost 50% increase in inquiries about extra funding." | Tricia Joyce, the university's student financial support officer, said: "We have got a 25% increase in applications to the access to learning fund than this time last year and in the last month we have had an almost 50% increase in inquiries about extra funding." |
| The University of Abertay in Dundee has run out of funding twice as more students than ever apply for hardship payments. HARDSHIP FUND APPLICATIONS University of Plymouth - up 38%Newcastle University - up 20%Abertay University - up 11% | The University of Abertay in Dundee has run out of funding twice as more students than ever apply for hardship payments. HARDSHIP FUND APPLICATIONS University of Plymouth - up 38%Newcastle University - up 20%Abertay University - up 11% |
| James Nicholson, head of student services, said: "Once upon a time it might well have been those from the least well-off background, but actually it's becoming more than just those people and so that's what's concerning. | James Nicholson, head of student services, said: "Once upon a time it might well have been those from the least well-off background, but actually it's becoming more than just those people and so that's what's concerning. |
| "It's not just a small group of people - it's becoming larger." | "It's not just a small group of people - it's becoming larger." |
| Not all universities have reported increases but where they have the problem is compounded by the lack of part-time jobs. | Not all universities have reported increases but where they have the problem is compounded by the lack of part-time jobs. |
| The University of Leeds student employment service says it has twice as many people looking for term-time jobs than in previous years - far more than the number of jobs available. | The University of Leeds student employment service says it has twice as many people looking for term-time jobs than in previous years - far more than the number of jobs available. |
| Ryan Brain, a student at Staffordshire University. | |
| Second-year student Edward Gillson said: "I worked in retail before and have gone back in the holidays as a student and got work but now you call up now and you can't get work any more because they don't have the hours." | Second-year student Edward Gillson said: "I worked in retail before and have gone back in the holidays as a student and got work but now you call up now and you can't get work any more because they don't have the hours." |
| Gail Hardwick, employment manager at Leeds University Student Union, said: "Students who may have had jobs in the last calendar year returned in January to find their jobs don't exist. | Gail Hardwick, employment manager at Leeds University Student Union, said: "Students who may have had jobs in the last calendar year returned in January to find their jobs don't exist. |
| "For some students it's absolutely critical that they work during term time. It's the difference between them being able to complete their course or dropping out." | "For some students it's absolutely critical that they work during term time. It's the difference between them being able to complete their course or dropping out." |
| The universities contacted by the BBC reporting increases in emergency hardship fund applications were: Plymouth, Newcastle, Manchester Metropolitan, Abartay in Dundee, Hull, Cardiff, Nottingham, University College London, Exeter, University of Manchester, and Sheffield. | The universities contacted by the BBC reporting increases in emergency hardship fund applications were: Plymouth, Newcastle, Manchester Metropolitan, Abartay in Dundee, Hull, Cardiff, Nottingham, University College London, Exeter, University of Manchester, and Sheffield. |
| The University of East Anglia, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry, and Southampton reported there had been no rise. | The University of East Anglia, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry, and Southampton reported there had been no rise. |
| Warwick said it had seen a drop in applications. | Warwick said it had seen a drop in applications. |