The Student has surveyed University of Edinburgh students to investigate how they feel about covering living costs this winter.
This survey comes after a report by the Office for Students found 1 in 5 of students polled had considered dropping out of university or college because of rises in living costs.
The Student found that 86.9 per cent of students said they were concerned about managing their living costs during this winter. 55.3 per cent of students said they will travel very often to study and social spaces on campus to make use of free heating and energy during this winter.
One student said: “I’m spending all my study time at the library instead of home and I avoid socialising at home because it’s so cold.”
Another said: “I’ll be in the university as often as I can because I can’t afford to have the heating on during the day.”
Almost 50 per cent of students said they will have to take on part-time employment whilst at university for the first time to cover living costs during this winter. Many of these students added that they will likely need to skip university classes to earn enough money to cover living costs this winter.
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One student said: “After I pay rent, I have minus £100 left of my student loan. Working is not to bring some pocket money in. It’s vital for my survival.”
Survey responses suggest more could be done by the University of Edinburgh to advertise the financial support they offer students.
A spokesperson from the University of Edinburgh said:
“The University has promoted our range of support to students at the beginning of the academic year and continues to do so via our website, wellbeing services and local communications to students.”
A staggering 73.7 per cent of students, however, said they are not aware of any financial support offered by the University of Edinburgh. Nearly half of students surveyed also said they will not apply for financial support from the University of Edinburgh during this winter even if they needed it.
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Feelings of shame and guilt were identified as reasons why students will not apply.
“I think my parents would be embarrassed or upset because they are trying to help me out as much as possible.”
The survey also produced harrowing insight into the impact of being ineligible for financial support.
“I am older, and I have a family. 90 per cent of my income goes to nursery fees and rent. I don’t qualify for any kind of support.
We are all wearing several layers of clothes at home now to avoid turning on the heater even though we all have a cold right now.
There’s no support at all. Nothing. Nothing to help international PGR students with children under 3 and we must pay extortionate nursery fees and insane rent. Regretting coming here.”
The University of Edinburgh’s Childcare Fund webpage does state international students are ineligible for this fund.
A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: “The Childcare Fund is provided by the Scottish Government and available to those who are in receipt of UK funding body support. For international students applying for financial support, we would consider their childcare costs as part of their living costs assessment.”
“We know many students have been affected with rises in the cost of living.”
“We have enhanced our student support funding, and we will continue to monitor the demand for these funds.”
“We encourage any of our students facing financial difficulties to get in touch with the Students’ Association’s Advice Place to find out what support is available to them.”
“Further details about the cost of living support available to students, including access to wellbeing support, is available at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/finance/cost-of-living-help.”
Image via Lucy Frewin.