Aware of the negative financial impact many university students now face due to the pandemic, the University has received emergency funding from the government.

This discretionary ‘pot’ will be distributed amongst Bedfordshire’s students who may otherwise struggle to stay within higher education without additional financial support. Students who are successful in their application will not be required to repay any of the money they receive through the Covid Hardship Fund scheme.

Professor Rebecca Bunting, Vice Chancellor, said:

We encourage all current students who may benefit from this discretionary funding to apply as soon as possible.

We’re aware that a number of our students are struggling and hope this funding will help alleviate some of the financial pressures our students are experiencing at the moment. Many rely on part time work to supplement or fund their studies and living costs, which the pandemic has now disrupted – either through redundancies or because they have to self-isolate. Others have increased living expenses due to studying remotely, including utility bills and childcare costs following school closures.

We do hope our students will take advantage of this fund and apply as soon as possible.

Open to all registered Bedfordshire students, the Covid Hardship Fund is a discretionary resource to help current registered students access and continue with their university studies and to cover unexpected costs that cannot be met during the pandemic, such as childcare, travel, rent and course-related costs.

Students must apply by Monday 8^th March 2021 at 5pm (GMT).

The application form and further information is available online: www.beds.ac.uk/covid-hardship-fund

The latest lockdown has also brought about restrictions for on-campus teaching, with all students instructed to study remotely from home via online lectures. Students who may find themselves hindered by technology requirements or struggling to access a computer whilst at home can apply for a temporary laptop via the University’s Laptop Loan Scheme.

Exceptions have been made for students on critical worker courses who will be allowed limited access to on-campus practical sessions and assessments, such as Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Social Work, Operational Department Practice, Sports Therapy and Primary Education. All other students are advised to stay home and not visit any campus buildings or facilities until contacted by their respective School or Faculty.

Students who are allowed to attend face-to-face teaching must be able to evidence a negative Covid-19 test before accessing campus facilities and in-person classes. Two Lateral Flow Testing centres have re-opened at the University of Bedfordshire’s Bedford (sports hall) and Luton (Postgraduate Centre) campuses – asymptomatic students are invited to book a Lateral Flow Test online, which involves two separate tests, three days apart: https://covidbeds.simplybook.pro/v2/

For those who are allowed on site or for students currently living in campus accommodation, some facilities have been kept open, including the Library and takeaway catering outlets. Student Support services also continue to be available online and over the phone.

In Vice Chancellor Prof. Rebecca Bunting’s update to students she discussed accessing Student Support including Laptop Loans & our Covid Hardship Fund for students experiencing financial hardship because of Covid-19. See more info & how to apply here: https://t.co/W8Sl9QFHDt 👈 pic.twitter.com/MnQGA2hXAk

— uniofbeds (@uniofbeds) January 12, 2021