Financial difficulties, faced by students, may depend on loss of earnings due to business closures, self-isolation, illness, or other difficulties. The Student Solidarity Fund (SSF) at the University of Malta (UM) has been set up precisely to assist students facing these difficulties with the objective of providing for basic and essential needs. This Fund, which started off in response to the Covid-19 situation, is maintained by the University of Malta on a permanent basis so as to provide assistance to students facing hardship.

Since May 2020, the UM Student Solidarity Fund Committee, set up by UM Rector to evaluate requests and disburse the donations, has assessed a total of 70 cases. These requests, submitted by UM students, were evaluated in consultation with professionals, including UM social workers with a total of 64 students are being helped to date (July 2022).

Of the 64 students being assisted by the SSF at UM, three were students attending the Junior College. With regard to the type of support provided to these 64 students, the details are sub-divided as follows:

• 39 students were supported with accommodation related expenses which included help with payment of rent expenses, support with utility bill expenses, support with purchase of appliances, and food donations
• 13 students were helped with medical-related expenses
• 12 students were supported with study-related expenses which included help with purchase of stationary, donation and purchase of books.
  

The SSF Committee found that three of the applicants who submitted a request were not eligible for help. On the other hand three of the students who had initially submitted a request to the SSF decided not to proceed further with their request as their situation had changed/improved during the assessment process.

The SSF is supported by the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU). UM staff and students are invited to contribute towards this initiative. Contributions from outside the University community, including UM alumni, are very welcome. Access the SSF website if you are interested in contributing or if you need financial support.