Financial Support

Background

With domestic tuition fees set to rise and both English maintenance loans and the Cambridge Bursary failing to keep pace with real inflation, an increasing number of students are struggling to afford necessities like food. Additionally, the cost of meals across colleges varies significantly, leaving many students unable to access their college’s food provisions due to growing affordability issues.

What have we done?

In Michaelmas 2024, Katie and Sarah successfully passed an action motion at Student Council to establish a scheme aimed at supporting student nutrition and sustenance in response to rising living costs and reduced financial support. To kickstart the initiative, £500 from the Council’s free budget was allocated to fund the scheme’s creation and its initial trial period. The trial is set to launch at the beginning of Lent Term 2025.

What do we want to achieve?

Our goal is to ensure that all students have affordable access to nutritious food and a stable standard of living that promotes their well-being and academic success - achieved through the introduction of a free grocery scheme designed to support those facing financial hardship.

Update coming soon.

Background

Each year J/MCR reps enter into negotiations with their college Bursars to establish the level of rent increase for the next academic year. It is often one of the first things they do when they take up the role and it can be very intimidating to stand up for the best thing for students.

What have we done?

I plan to organise rent negotiation workshops in Lent - watch this space!

What do we want to achieve?

I want J/MCR reps to feel confident in getting the best deal they can for their students as they enter those conversations. I want to give them a toolkit of approaches and tactics to do this.

Background

One of the barriers that exist to applying for university, many are financial. The Labour government has recently announced that they will be increasing tuition fees from the next financial year. The bursary support offered by the university has not kept pace with inflation, and college financial support varies significantly.

What have we done?

We passed a policy at SU council to give us a clear direction for future campaigning. We have also signed an open letter organised by York SU and emailed local MPs (Cambridge, South Cambs, St Neots and Mid Cambs).

What do we want to achieve?

We want the Cambridge bursary to increase in line in inflation. We want the Government to commit to increases maintenance loans in line with inflation and to reintroduce maintenance grants for those from low-income backgrounds. We want all students to feel able to apply to study at Cambridge, without being concerned about the financial implications.

Update coming soon.

Update coming soon.