NUS Scotland launches ‘Cost of Survival’ report
Both Thriving Learners Research and Think Positive research have highlighted how money concerns have an impact on students mental health. A new report from NUS Scotland shows the scale of the financial challenges facing students at the moment.
The research is based on a survey of over 5,300 college and university students and apprentices. The report covers a wide range of issues including: homelessness, housing, student finances, and mental health and wellbeing.
In almost all cases, the students struggling the most were from widening-access backgrounds, including estranged, disabled, and care-experienced students, as well as students who are carers and come from low-income households.
- Almost two fifths worry about their finances all the time.
- Two thirds of students said that since the start of their studies, their mental health has been impacted by their money worries.
- Over a third have considered leaving their course because of financial difficulties
- 52% have skipped a meal because of lack of money and 11% have used a foodbank (up from 8%)
- 45% have gone without heating because of lack of money