Durham University will rise the Durham Grant by nearly seven per cent next academic year

In an announcement by Durham University, it has been revealed that the Durham Grant is rising by 6.7 per cent for the 2024/2025 academic year. This increase is in response to the consumer price index (CPI) which measured the rate of inflation as 6.7 per cent in September.

According to an email sent to all students by the University’s Executive Communications office, this increase represents “an additional investment of c.£500,000 into the Durham Grant scheme.” Qualifying students can receive payments that will be made “on a sliding scale of between £835 and £2,670”,the University wrote.

Unlike last year, which saw an increase of 13 per cent, what determines a student’s eligibility for the grant has not been changed. A student qualifies for the grant if they are from the UK, and Student Finance England (or an equivalent service) has assessed your family income as below £47,200.

The university went on to say that an additional £500,000 will be invested into the Scheme and are in discussion with the Students’ Union and Common Room leaders regarding this. How this money will be spent has not been revealed, but the university has claimed to provide more details once they can be confirmed.

According to Palatinate, over 3,000 students receive this grant with over 1,600 of these students receiving the grant’s maximum amount.

Additional support can be found on the university’s Cost of Living Hub, which includes the Student Support Fund and, for more immediate assistance, its Instant Access Hardship Fund.

The university wrote that it “knows that cost of living increases continue to be a concern for many. As a university community we are deeply committed to supporting students who may be struggling financially, and have a broad and generous package of support in place.”

Featured image via Clément Proust. 

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