Student Finance and Wellbeing Study 2023-24
We welcome the findings of the Scottish Government’s Student Finance and Wellbeing Study Scotland, which sheds light on the disproportionate financial challenges faced by care-experienced students and the impact on wellbeing. The findings are deeply concerning:
- 66% of under-represented students* reported experiencing financial hardship.
- 44% of these students had considered leaving their course.
- Around half of students said financial difficulties affected their mental health and wellbeing ‘a great deal’ or ‘a fair amount’, with students from under-represented groups most likely to express this.
This research evidences the critical role bursaries and funding play in the success of our students. However, this study highlights a stark disparity between the funding available to students and their actual living costs. This research also confirms the factors that contribute to this, including a lack of parental financial safety net that many non-care experienced students have, and access to savings. We strongly echo its conclusion: ‘without additional, targeted funding, there may be a risk that student inequalities could increase.’
We fully support the report’s recommendations and remain committed to working alongside our partner institutions to:
- Enhance targeted support for care-experienced students.
- Improve access to information and communication about funding sources.
- Improve assessments and processes when awarding discretionary funding
- Expand non-income-based support initiatives, such as those addressing food, travel, and accommodation provisions
*This study captured care-experienced students within a broader group of students from under-represented groups, including those estranged students, parents, carers, and disabled students.
Student Finance and Wellbeing Study Infographic FINAL (1)
Student Finance and Wellbeing Study (SFWS) Scotland, 2023-2024: Main Report – gov.scot
