It is harder than ever for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend university today. Keble’s modest endowment means that we have limited resources to dedicate to student hardship, but we continue to prioritise student support as an area of fundraising so that no student misses out on the opportunities which make studying at Keble a unique and transformative experience.

This year we are aiming to raise £20,000 for Student Hardship from the Giving Day. This sum will help support students who are in receipt of a bursary. i.e. those in most need, by giving them sufficient funds to cover the cost of 3 meals in College every week. This works out as ‘1 free day of meals per week of term’, for all three terms for all students on a bursary. Eating in Hall with friends from different disciplines is an integral part of College life, from which no student should be deterred due to lack of funds.

In addition to the funding of meals, a small number of students who find themselves under extreme financial strain are awarded a grant of £1,000. Last year this funding was made available to 20 students.

“Even students who budget carefully and plan their time at Keble can run into unexpected financial difficulties. In such situations they turn to the College for help and support. Sometimes the trigger is a family situation, or the loss of a family member’s employment or business. Other students are caught out by conflict or disaster in their home countries. Students at Oxford are discouraged from taking on paid employment. The courses are demanding and the terms are short, so trying to make ends meet through getting a job is not always the right thing to do. We want students to be able to focus on their studies and also enjoy their time in College. It therefore really helps if the College has funds for financial assistance for these unforeseen and unforeseeable events.”

Ali Rogers, Senior Tutor