For many OU students, study is just one aspect of their life that they’re trying to juggle, often alongside a job, supporting their family, running a home and many other commitments.
At The Open University, we see students every year who not only have to rise to all these challenges, but also face unexpected events in their life that can potentially force them to have to make the agonising decision of whether they can continue with their studies.
Our Solution
When these moments of crisis strike, our students can find themselves in desperate circumstances. The Student Assistance Fund is there to help them continue to pursue their dreams.
Since 2020, the Student Assistance Fund has supported over 6,000 students with financial assistance, helping them through the toughest of times. During the global pandemic, the Fund supported many students whose lives were instantly turned upside down and faced the prospect of major financial instability, having to choose between funding their education or vital commitments like rent, mortgages, food and bills. Thousands of students received life-changing support.
How your support can make the difference
We still see thousands of students each year needing support and the Student Assistance Fund is more vital than ever to those who are being severely impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and other unforeseen hardships and challenges. Students can apply for up to £500 to help ease the financial burden they are facing.
By making a gift to the Student Assistance Fund, you can give a student the comfort and security of knowing they do not have to give up on their OU journey.
The Open University has numerous support programs addressing a wide variety of limitations or disadvantages that prospective students might face. For example, we offer financial support for carers, care experienced learners, Black students and disabled veterans and those who are seeking sanctuary in the UK. We also offer the study-related costs fund, which is open to anyone on a low income. Information on all our scholarships and assistance schemes can be found here: http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding