Student financial support team is right on the money

A team of financial support officers which has helped students receive a £2.5m teaching bursary boost has been nominated for a top award.

Student Financial Support at Sheffield Hallam University has been shortlisted for the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA) Student Money Advice Awards after securing more than 400 teaching agency bursaries for students.

The bursaries include one launched with UNITE to provide a scheme for looked-after children.

The UNITE scheme sees five students joining Sheffield Hallam in the 2012 academic year receiving free accommodation at UNITE’S The Forge for the duration of their study, in addition to £3,000 per year towards living expenses.

The financial support team also allocated more than 560 National Scholarships (NSPs) worth £3,000 each to first year students, and a further 1,500 smaller awards, making it possible for students who have the ability to study to be given the opportunity to do so.

Chris Cooney at the Students' Union Advice Centre added: "This nomination comes at a time where the availability and governance of student finance is so important to all students.

"By working collaboratively with our successful schools and colleges partnership, we are able to provide complementary and co-ordinated services that are student-focused, putting student well-being at the heart of delivery, despite the difficult circumstances and extreme challenges some students face."    

The winner of the Student Money Awards will be announced during the gala dinner at the NASMA Annual Professional Development Event on Tuesday 25 June in Bristol.

Around 40 per cent of Sheffield Hallam undergraduates come from within 50 miles of the city, with around 1,000 per year qualifying for bursaries to support their studies.

The University successfully attracts large numbers of students from disadvantaged backgrounds - more than 30 per cent from low socio economic groups and 96 per cent from state schools.

For press information: contact Laurie Harvey in the Sheffield Hallam University press office on 0114 225 2621 or email laurie.harvey@shu.ac.uk