Fundraising news

“I can now focus on my studies without the constant worry of making ends meet. I’m incredibly grateful—your kindness and generosity has made a huge difference to my life.”

Imagine overcoming countless challenges—coming from a disadvantaged background, living with physical disabilities—only to have your dream of studying at Sussex nearly slip away due to financial hardship.

That’s exactly what happened to Ava*, a third-year Psychology and Criminology student and the first in her family to go to university.

“I have disabilities that make life very expensive,” explains Ava. “They also mean I can’t work while studying. Living in Brighton isn’t cheap, and I reached a point where I simply didn’t have enough money to survive. The stress was overwhelming—I couldn’t focus on my studies, and I faced the very real and devastating prospect of having to give up my degree.”

Your donations change lives, ensuring that those who qualify for financial assistance receive the support they need.

This includes Ava, who discovered she could apply for a Hardship Award through the Sussex Fund.

“I’ve received a tremendous amount of support, including food vouchers, money and financial advice,” she says. “I am so grateful.”

Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of friends and alumni, the Sussex Fund helps cover essential living costs, such as rent, food, and travel, so students can focus on learning without financial anxiety. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate genuine need and have already maximised their income through loans and part-time work.

Your support is helping students who are facing unimaginable challenges.

The scale of genuine need is significant; we have already received 504 applications for hardship support this academic year (2024/25). The average grant awarded has increased to £1,324.20** (up from £1,097.30 in 2023/24), and we anticipate this amount will steadily grow as the rising cost of living continues to make education inaccessible for many.
Your contributions make a real difference. Donations to the Sussex Fund help students meet the cost of essentials, such as travel, rent and course materials supporting them to go on to graduate. For context, the average student in Brighton needs £1,100 per month to cover basic living expenses.

Ava shares:

“My family always said university wasn’t for ‘people like us’ who don’t have a lot of money, but thanks to the Hardship Fund, I’ve been able to continue my degree and enjoy my time at Sussex. I want to say a sincere thank you for that. It means so much to me, and the relief has been indescribable.

“I can now focus on my studies without the constant worry of making ends meet. I’m incredibly grateful—your kindness and generosity has made a huge difference to my life.”

Thank you for your commitment to Sussex. Through your donations to the Sussex Fund, hardship awards are changing lives for the better, ensuring students facing financial difficulties can continue their education and make the most of their university experience.

*Name has been withheld to protect anonymity
**Amount correct as of January 2025
†Amounts correct as of October 2024

Back to news list