Alumni news

For most students, their time at university represents some of the best years of their lives. However, for some it can be a time of uncertainty caused by unexpected financial difficulties. 

This year the Sussex Fund, which is made possible thanks to gifts from alumni of the University, is devoting almost triple the amount of funding to support students who find themselves in financial hardship through no fault of their own and when they have no one else to turn to for support.

Supporting students facing hardship

There is a big difference between not being able to take part in every social activity on offer and facing homelessness because of an unexpected bill; or not being able to feed yourself because a close family member is ill and you need to pay for the train fare home.

“The award has helped significantly in terms of my mental health as it relieved me from the daily stress of how to afford my meals. It’s enabled me to fully focus on my university work and achieve my potential without depression affecting my attendance and motivation. It’s also relieved stress on my family, who struggle trying to provide for me and my three brothers.” – Marleigh (Global Studies)

The Student Life Centre – who answer all of our students’ queries, worries or concerns – assess rigorously our applicants’ eligibility for hardship awards. This includes, amongst other things, reviewing bank statements to prove that money is being spent sensibly and checking that other support isn’t available.

“This hardship award has been so helpful to me I can’t even express. I come from a low-income family and I didn’t know where else to go for help. Thank you.” – Olubukolu (Maths and Physical Sciences)

The Sussex Fund is a lifeline

For many students facing hardship, asking for family support is not an option. In some cases, family members simply cannot afford to offer financial help, while other students may be estranged from their families or start university having had a parent or carer pass away. Whatever the reason, we want to make sure that we can help every student who needs our support. With limited statutory hardship funding available, it can often be the difference between completing or leaving their degree.

“My mother is a single parent who had to stop working three years ago due to her health. She is being looked after by family financially and is unable to give financial support. This grant was really my last option for help.” 
– Tamara (Law, Politics and Sociology)

Extra support from the Sussex Fund has enabled dozens of Sussex students to continue with their degrees this year, alleviating financial and, in many cases, emotional burdens that hamper them reaching their potential. Nonetheless, the bottom line is that despite the generosity of thousands of alumni and the brilliant work being done by the Student Life Centre, there is more demand for hardship support than the University is able to provide.

For almost 60 years, Sussex has been a place where people have discovered who they are and what they stand for. Now, more than ever, we need the whole community to join hands around our most vulnerable members and give them the support they need to discover what their contribution to society will be.  

“I’m the eldest child in a family whose finances have never been stable. I’ve always taken on a lot of responsibility, causing me to become susceptible to money-related anxiety. It's also made me consider dropping out of university, but I'm glad I've never gone through with it. University has allowed me to acquire an independence I would not have achieved should I have given up with higher education.

"I’m currently supporting my sister through her A-Levels and she’s now considering applying to university as well. Like me, she has money worries that sometimes sway her towards not bothering. I'm so happy to show her that despite money-related setbacks, there is support available for those who choose to work hard for something important to them.” – Daisy

You can join thousands of your fellow alumni in supporting the Sussex Fund through our secure online giving page.

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