Hardship grants

Support hardship grants at Sussex so that every student who needs our help can flourish.

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Many students overcome all sorts of obstacles just to make it to university, only to find themselves struggling financially once they get there. Some top up their student funding by working part time, and those with families increasingly rely on them for financial assistance. Despite this, a Higher Education Policy Institute report recently revealed that “university support services are an essential function for preventing financially struggling students from dropping out.”

The Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have contributed to us seeing the number of students requiring extra financial support more than double in recent years. Whilst we can help the majority, the sad truth is that we can’t do so for every single student who faces financial challenges. However, with your help, we can ensure that every student that qualifies for a financial grant receives the support they need to thrive at Sussex.

Help us transform the life of every student who needs support by making a gift online.

Typical monthly costs that a hardship grant might cover:

• £175 pays for an accessible taxi to and from campus four times a month
• £65 funds a 28-day travel pass around the city
• £689 covers the typical monthly rent for a single room off-campus
• £799 provides a student with an essential laptop
• £54 is the average monthly spend for essential book and course materials

Overall, the average spend for a student in Brighton, not including course fees, is £1,100 per month*.

Due to unforeseen events, I was in a terrible financial situation during my time at Sussex. The hardship grant helped me pay for rent and food, allowing me to study without stress. Now, I’m on track to publish my Masters” ROBERT**
ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT STUDENT

For many, the escalating cost of living means that the funding that they receive simply isn’t enough to get them through the academic year. With your help, we can bridge that gap. 

*Amounts correct as at October 2024
**Student's name has been changed to protect anonymity

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You might also be interested in:

• The Sussex Fund
• Sussex Fund scholarships
• Sussex Fund student experiences.