This pandemic has been real tough on all of us and international students often are not aware of the university support systems that are in place.
This pandemic has been real tough on all of us and international students often are not aware of the university support systems that are in place.
With the entire world suffering job losses in the casual labour market and families’ income in home countries being hijacked by Covid, international students may find it hard to navigate through this hard time especially when they are away from their families. This could be financially, mentally and emotionally.
Every university will have student support systems in place and you can access these. Please contact your university for support. Every university also will have a Students Union where you can seek support. It is vital you seek support as early as possible so that the university can support you in a timely manner. There is specialist mental health support, hardship funding and general welfare support. As an international student, you are not allowed to seek public funding, however, you can access university hardship funding which need not be returned back. If you are struggling with paying your tuition fees, speak to the university finance department as a matter of urgency to set up an instalment plan if possible or get a payment holiday due to the ongoing pandemic.
This includes recent Government COVID financial hardship funding given to Universities which you can access for a limited period of time.