Massey received 500k for Hardship Fund

Massey has confirmed it received just over $500k in funding from the $20 million the Government recently put towards the Hardship Fund for Learners.

“This has been put towards the continuation of the Emergency COVID-19 Hardship Grants and Technology Loan Grants,” a Massey University spokesperson said.

As of two weeks ago, the University had received 3,142 hardship applications and had paid out 2,109. 256 had been declined or lapsed or withdrawn. Applications could be declined if the student was not enrolled in New Zealand or because their hardship was not directly Covid-19-related (kinda rude, tbh). However, support staff are advised to offer other options if a student does not meet the criteria for the Hardship Fund. According to Massey, the University doesn't ask for evidence of hardship and is operating a “high-trust model” for support.

Around $1 million in grants and tech support has been distributed by Massey so far.

“The grant amounts vary between $75 and $650 based on need, with the average pay out being $410,” according to Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Students and Global Engagement Tere McGonagle-Daly.