Pages tagged “NUS-USI”

  • EMA Student Story Submissions

  • NI Students Set To Receive 20 Percent Uplift to Student Maintenance Loans

    Economy Minister Announces 20% Increase to Student Maintenance Loans

    Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA has today announced a 20% increase in maximum student maintenance loans for the 2025/26 academic year. This follows a 40% increase in the 2023/24 academic year, demonstrating a continued commitment to supporting students facing cost of living pressures.

    nus- usi

    Written by
    January 31, 2025

  • NUS-USI launch Cost of Living Report

    84% of students are worried about money with 22% worried all the time

    Written by
    February 07, 2024

  • NUS-USI President Chloe Ferguson Appointed to Northern Ireland Skills Council

    We are delighted to announce that NUS-USI President Chloe Ferguson has been appointed to the Northern Ireland Skills Council (NISC), an advisory body which focuses on providing strategic direction on the development and implementation of skills policy in Northern Ireland.

    Andrew McAnallen

    Written by
    December 05, 2023

  • Dear Rishi Sunak: Stop making it harder for young people to vote

    Rishi Sunak has made it illegal for universities to block register students on the electoral roll. And he introduced new ID laws – which he was warned would hit young people hardest. With a general election set to happen in the next year, we won’t let anything stop young people from having their say.

  • NUS-USI launches 'Cost of Survival' Report

    NUS-USI REPORT: “It's not about the cost of living, it's about the cost of survival”

    NUS-USI is calling for urgent support for students in higher and further education across Northern Ireland following the launch of their “Cost of Survival” report.

    The report found that students were left with just £29.30 per week after accommodation costs, which accounts for 81.7% of the maximum amount available for undergraduate student loans.

    Whilst many students are juggling part time jobs, most will meet the definition of a low-income household, which is currently classified as less than 60% of the national average wage. Despite this, the majority are not eligible for benefits that other low-income households can access, including some of the recent cost of living payments.

    The findings are supported by reports from universities and colleges of huge increases in food bank referrals, provision of heat banks and backpacks of hygiene products to students. Some institutions have also made payments to their student population in recognition of the extremely challenging financial circumstances the are facing.

    nus- usi

    Written by
    March 06, 2023

  • Cost of Survival

    Students are struggling to survive in this cost of living crisis and being completely forgotten about by government. We are calling for: a student support payment, rent freeze and free transport. Sign up today!

  • NUS-USI launches Cost of Survival Campaign

    NUS-USI has today launched the Cost of Survival Campaign, calling for real support for students during the cost of living crisis.
     
    • A third of students are relying on credit cards to keep up with the cost of living. 
    • 40% of students are relying on savings to get by. 
    • 42% of students are travelling to campus less due to the rising cost of fuel. 
    • 52% of students are spending less money on food. 
     
    The Cost of Survival campaign has three key asks: 
    1. A Cost of Living Payment for all students in further and higher education
    2. A Rent Freeze in the private sector and purpose built student accommodation
    3. Free public transport for all students, as well as fuel payments and increased mileage rates 
    nus- usi

    Written by
    September 26, 2022