Coronavirus (COVID-19): student hardship - case studies: report

5. Conclusions

This focussed piece of research has identified several hardship issues faced by students in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic.  On the whole these were distinctly negative experiences though there were one or two isolated instances of students being able to adapt to challanging circumstances (e.g. in accessing alternative employment).

Crucially, feedback from student participants in the case study interviews broadly corroborates that from the institutions themselves (universities), suggesting that these issues are likely to be experienced by the student population more widely (at least in terms of HE at university).  Accordingly, quantitative research to explore the population level prevalance of these issues is a key area for future research (see Annex 1). Given the small sample of students interviewed, particularly where findings are broken down by categories of students, it is possible that largely positive or negative experiences described for particular groups are not accurately reflecting student circumstances. For example, while the EU students interviewed as part of the project experienced relatively little hardship, it is quite possible that there will also be EU students with a less positive experience.

Scottish Government, SAAS and SFC worked collectively across the sector to raise awareness of the packages of support available.  However it is evident that following this and perhaps due to the difficult circumstances colleges and universities found themselves working in during COVID-19 restrictions, that their own communications and advertising around the availability of Discretionary Funds and how to access the 'Summer Support package', were not received or fully understood by their students.

The remainder of this chapter outlines the key findings from the research covering issues related to employment (section 5.2), financial support (section 5.3) and concerns about the future (section 5.4).  Finally, section 5.5 maps out some of the key policy developments that have taken place during this research and considers the extent to which there might still be policy gaps to address, in terms of the range of COVID-19 related student hardship issues identified in this research.

5.1 General observations

Most students spoken to have experienced some form of financial hardship, this would typically have resulted from a combination of loss of employment or the inability to secure a job over the summer as well as the inadequate provision of financial support over the lockdown period. The level of hardship differed widely between students, with some being able to cope and others facing severe hardship, pushing them into a spiral of debt.

Students in the most precarious circumstances tended to have limited or no access to informal financial and emotional support networks. These would include international, estranged and care experienced students.

5.2 Employment 

Many students were typically employed in the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 restrictions, such as the hospitality and retail sectors as well as in on-campus roles such as classroom / lab assistants, which were also the most likely to offer part-time opportunities. Interviewees reported that competition for any work within the hospitality and retail sectors increased dramatically over the lockdown period, coupled with limited opportunities for employment. 

Where work was available over the period of lockdown, this was not always seen as suitable for the students, e.g. if they felt it was not safe to work in public facing roles or to use public transport to get to and from work. In some cases, students were prevented from leaving the house due to being in the 'shielding' population, which has had a detrimental impact on their employment options.

5.3 Financial support

Furlough arrangements for students working in the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 restrictions (e.g. hospitality and retail) were insufficient and only covered the small portion of the income the student would be expected to receive as part of their work, owing to the reliance on extra hours in many jobs in hospitality and retail. This was due to furlough amounts only reflecting contracted hours, while many students made a large proportion of their income from working overtime.

The role of wider financial support networks of the student should not be underestimated. In many cases students will rely on financial support from their families and partners, who may also have become affected by COVID-19 related loss of income. 

Financial support arrangements were seen as insufficient in many cases, with long processing times and limited availability (or eligibility) of discretionary funds and in some cases universities and colleges offering no meaningful way of providing students with information of what they might be eligible for. Students commented that discretionary funds were not targeted at students who were most at need, such as care experienced or estranged students who typically had no other sources of support to rely on. 

Students considered the UC application system as not set up well to target student applicants with the DWP seemingly unused to dealing with student applicants. This had a negative impact on the length of time taken to process UC applications. 

Some students highlighted the disconnected nature of the support system, where financial support offered by one institution could be spent on covering the loans or debts accrued through other means. Overreliance on commercial credit was becoming a reality for many who could still access it.

Many students noted the need for HE student funding to be available over the Summer months.

5.4 Concerns about the future

Even at the time when lockdown restrictions were being eased, students expressed real concern about being able to find part-time work. They were also concerned about the wider job market situation and the implications of this for their chosen careers.

Students in most precarious circumstances tended to have limited or no access to informal financial and emotional support networks. These would include international, estranged and care experienced students.

5.5 Policy developments so far and issues still to be addressed

Annex 3 includes details of policy developments so far to support students during COVID-19.  These have been led by Scottish Government and administered by SAAS, with other inputs from the SFC and hosted on the Student Information Scotland (SIS) website.  These measures are referred to as the 'Student Emergency Hardship Fund' and the 'Summer Hardship Fund'. The plan is comprised of two stages with different packages of support:

• Stage 1 which was launched in April 2020; and
• Stage 2 which was launched on 2 June 2020.

Looking across the different categories of support in the plan (Annex 3), evidently many of the hardship issues identified in this research are reflected in the student support policy developments that have taken place so far (e.g. accommodation, loss of income / employment, general financial hardship, care experienced students).  For example, the plan has: 

• Targeted support to address financial hardship in general through increased monies for discretionary funds and relaxation of limits / rules governing access to these funds; 
• Specific support and new policy developments to help students with accommodation related issues;
• Focussed effort supporting students who are most in need (e.g. care experienced students);
• Continued focus on mental health and wellbeing support for students; and
• Some help for students to access summer employment (dedicated job opportunities section on the SIS website).

However, some potential gaps in provision are as follows:

• Advice and guidance for students on how to navigate the benefits system (i.e. UC) and other forms of support (e.g. council tax relief) in conjunction with financial support that may be available from SAAS / institutions (though it is noted that the SFC engaged with DWP to confirm that access to discretionary funds after FE course completion date should not impact subsequent summer benefits claims);
• Consideration of accommodation issues for students housed in the wider private rented sector (i.e. not PBSA or university / college run halls); and
• Consideration of future budget position in terms of continued and increased access to COVID-19 related discretionary funds.