Trinity College Cambridge cuts poor students’ bursaries in HALF

Trinity College Cambridge has come under fire after slashing bursaries for undergraduate students from ‘low and middle-income families’ by 50 per cent.

The college stated that the portion of money normally used by students with a household income of below £42,620 for their halls of residence rent was no longer needed by those studying from home due to lockdown.

It comes just a week after the college emailed students and urged them not to return to university accommodation but instead ‘join our wonderful silent majority of students who are resiliently getting on with studies and life at home.’  

Trinity- where Prince Charles previously studied during the 1960s – has confirmed that it will continue ‘to cover daily living expenses, if not College rent, this term’, the college said in a statement to The Tab Cambridge. 

Undergraduate students at the university with a household income of below £42,620 are eligible for a Cambridge Bursary of up to £3,500 per year.

In addition to this, there is a Trinity top-up bursary which provides additional money to UK students from ‘low- and middle-income families’. 

The latest move comes as a statement on the university’s website told students that they should not take take paid employment during term time.

A statement read: ‘The University takes the view that our students shouldn’t undertake paid employment during term-time – it’s important that you have an appropriate work-life balance, and we offer a wide range of financial support to help you manage the costs of university study. 

‘However, there may be a few opportunities available within the University and Colleges that are exceptions to this, such as working in the College bar, College library or as a student helper during open days.’ 

The latest decision was made by Trinity’s Council, charity trustees, who have to ‘act responsibly regarding resources,’ a spokesman said.

They added anyone struggling can contact their tutor, and will be ‘reviewed sympathetically’.    

Following the move Trinity College Students’ Union (TCSU) said the measure would ‘impact some of the most disadvantaged students at a ‘time of national uncertainty’.

A spokesperson told The Tab: ‘This measure will undoubtedly impact some of the most disadvantaged students at an exceptionally difficult stage in their studies.

‘Although we are pleased that students who remain in residence will not be affected by these cutbacks, we believe it is unjust to reduce the bursaries of those not in residence as it assumes that students do not incur costs when absent from College grounds.

‘At a time of national uncertainty and universal financial precarity, this is a policy founded on unreasonable assumptions.’

Trinity College is one of the wealthiest colleges at the historic university, with an endowment of £1million.  

Last month it was revealed that poorer students who fail to get top A-Levels will be offered a free foundation year at the University of Cambridge under a new £5 million scheme to help talented youngsters who have fallen on hard times.

The scheme – for those who miss out on the prestigious institution’s high entry requirements – will be introduced for the first time next year in a bid to diversify the university’s student population.

It means the usual standards of A* grades will be lowered to allow initially up to 50 students with straight Bs to take part in the foundation year, with a view to then continuing at the university as an undergraduate.

Funded by philanthropists Christina and Peter Dawson, the launch comes amid concerns that disadvantaged students are likely to have felt the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic disproportionately amid lengthy school closures and a switch to remote learning.