You can help LSHTM students focus on their studies instead of worrying about money

The cost of living in London has seen a significant increase over the last five years. High inflation amongst other factors has pushed up the costs of housing, energy, travel and food, placing already tight student budgets under significant pressure.

Many students are finding it hard to make ends meet and despite careful financial planning, when a financial crisis happens it can derail their studies.

The stress of money worries is a major barrier to academic success and can result in students dropping out altogether.

The Student Financial Support Fund (SFSF) steps in to help with immediate support in a crisis. A modest amount can make a huge difference. Some of the most common financial emergencies include:

• Fraud and theft, such as losing an accommodation deposit to a scam or having a phone stolen or a laptop breaking - both essential for daily life and study.

• Unsafe or uninhabitable housing, forcing a student to move suddenly and cover unexpected costs.

• Unexpected academic expenses, such as needing to re-sit exams without having budgeted for additional living costs during the extended study period.

• Other examples include currency devaluation or the death of a personal sponsor or family member who has been providing financial support.

These events are not luxuries or inconveniences they are crises that can threaten a student’s wellbeing, stability, and academic success.

Like so many other places around the world, the UK economy is facing a new cost of living crisis due to conflict in the middle east. The number of applications from students in urgent need has doubled in recent years, and the size of grant our students now seek far exceeds the £1,500 maximum we can currently offer.

Making a gift today will will ensure LSHTM can support hard pressed students and relieve their financial burden during this difficult time.

Why your support matters:

An MSc student from India experienced significant mental health challenges at the start of her course, leading to a period of non-attendance. With support from Student Support Services, she was able to return to her studies. However, because she had missed examinations, she needed to take resits and defer her final project. By this point, her funding had run out. The SFSF covered her rent and living costs, enabling her to complete her degree. Without this support, she would have had to return to India to work and save enough money before coming back to the UK to finish her MSc.

Another student, from Indonesia, was completing a PhD while working as a nurse and living in the UK with her husband and children. When her husband became seriously ill and was unable to work for two months, the family faced financial hardship. The SFSF provided help with rent and childcare during this period, supporting the family until her husband was able to return to work.