Hardship Fund topped up by $20mil... but is it enough?

The Government has announced a boost of the tertiary student Hardship Fund for Learners by $20 million, aimed to help around 15,000 students stay connected to learning. This is the third time the Hardship Fund has been extended.  

The money will be paid to tertiary providers who will disburse it amongst students accordingly, to help with various hardships such as financial challenges or technology-related costs due to Covid-19. “Because students’ needs are diverse, this funding is flexible.... Tertiary providers understand the needs of their students and will distribute it in the way that is most suitable. Learners may receive either cash grants, or goods/services purchased on their behalf,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. If you’re a student who needs support to keep studying, Hipkins says to talk to your tertiary provider.  

“About bloody time,” one student told Massive.  

However, not everyone is happy about the news. The top-up is the only tertiary student support that has been announced so far, with punters speculating that an increase in course-related costs or other forms of support look unlikely.  

Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick tweeted "Now that's what I call build ups" after the Government had been repeatedly saying something is "in the works" for students. "We've now learnt it's just a top up of the Hardship Fund," she wrote. The MP also retweeted a Young Greens of Aotearoa tweet, which said: “Students need and deserve better - admin heavy hardship funding is an inequitable tool and no solution to the challenges currently facing us."