I've a friend who is in extreme financial difficulty at university. He is well into his overdraft - which cannot be extended - has no help from his parents and has a very small student loan.

He's applied for a university hardship fund, some EMA assistance and enquired as to whether the Prince's trust could help him. Any other ideas?

He's not been in the best of health and had to really work his socks off to get into uni this time having dropped out before. He's a generally nice guy who wants to make a difference to the world, so he really does deserve to be here... Just trying to find ways to help him (other than reccommending that he sells his body... )

When you say "a very small loan" does that mean he gets the full loan? i.e. the income independent and dependent bit, or whatever they're called?

Also, depending on his field of study and the university etc. they're might be scholarships available from industry/the uni?

Um... I'm not sure. I think he said that when he applied he was still living with his parents, who really don't have a low income, so the people who assessed it said that his parents should be able to pay for most of what he needs. Which is blatantly not true, seeing as they don't even speak to him really any more. Not sure if that makes sense - I don't want him to know I'm asking this, so can't prize any more information out of him!

I see. To be honest there's not much you can do apart from gather information. Does your union have an advice centre or something like that? They'd probably know quite a lot about this kind of thing

He needs to talk to the university...to his teachers, and to heads of faculty, and to the administration.

The university I was teaching at had a number of students in difficulties when the last but one wave of the Great Japanese Depression hit, and in my experience, once universities admit students, they are very committed to seeing them graduate. They may sound cold at first, explaining how things work, but they will then do their best to figure out possibilities.

If financial aid isn't an option, other options include waiving minimum requirements for courses passed each year (so that students can effectively do their degrees part-time while working part-time), or allowing "extra" years so that students can work and study in alternate years.

Tell him not to just disappear off his course silently...if he asks, there will be help.

Ouch, did he have any idea how he would cope with the financial side of things before he applied or has he just hit a bit of bad luck/sudden expense?

Fingers crossed he can get something arranged.

Hope you are feeling better now, Floss!

Could he get a p/t job? I don't meant to sound hard but it's just that the Christmas season brings lots of temp jobs (shops etc) so he might find something to tide him over.

Other than that.. how about arranging a rota of friends to invite him to dinner so he doesn't have to buy so much food.


Can't think of anything else.

He's got a part time job, starting soon. He's feeling a bit more positive now, but thanks for your help. xx

Glad your friend has found a job, darling. He must be relieved of that at least.