The Students’ Union is thrilled to hear that the Welsh Government have decided to re-instate the Financial Contingency Fund for 2014-2015. Their decision on the 21st of August to withdraw the Fund with immediate effect was unprofessional and careless. Students’ Unions across Wales immediately responded with your stories on how the reckless decision would affect your student experience and your studies.
We are thankful for all your support and lobbying during this period and although we remain cautious of the funding for the future, we can be thankful that students entering higher education in a week’s time can receive funding if and when they desperately needed it. We will continue to work with NUS Wales and relevant bodies to lobby the Welsh Government to continue to allocate this well needed funding to Universities for the future.
At Aberystwyth, we recognised the impact would be heavy on our students and quickly went ahead to gather stories, lobbied our local AM, continued and worked with NUS Wales for a swift response.
Your Welfare Officer, Will Atkinson adds;
We are extremely pleased that the Welsh Government has listened to the detailed arguments for saving FCF given to them by NUS Wales and Students’ Unions from across Wales. The Fund is a key tool in allowing access to Higher Education for individuals from less privileged backgrounds. It is also an extremely cost effective fund, costing less per year than the potential loss of revenue due to students leaving universities. For this announcement to come on the same day as the UK Government saving Disabled Students Allowance is proof that the student voice is gaining strength.
Remember you can continue to influence and be part of this change by registering to vote online. Just search ‘register to vote’.
Some resources are:
http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/news/article/wales/STUDENTS-WELCOME-WELSH-GOVERNMENTS-U-TURN-ON-FUTURE-OF-LIFELINE-HARDSHIP-FUND/
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/disabled-students-allowance-cuts-postponed/2015720.article
Some of the media work we did can be seen here:
http://www.abersu.co.uk/news/article/UMaberSU/BRING-BACK-THE-FCF/
http://www.golwg360.com/newyddion/addysg/158962-llywodraeth-yn-dileu-cronfa-argyfwng