#FundOurFuture Nurses

Since the Government withdrew funding for nursing students in 2016, there has been a worrying decline in the number of people applying to study nursing in England.

Critically, this is at a time where there are currently 43,500 vacant nursing posts in the NHS in England alone. When unfilled nurse jobs are reaching record levels, it is even more important to attract the next generation to our profession.

Following tireless campaigning from student nurses who are active campaigners with the RCN, the government has confirmed that from September 2020, all nursing students in England will receive at least £5,000 a year to help with living costs.

While this is a positive first step, it’s only the start of what’s needed to address the nursing workforce crisis.

We’re calling on the government to provide tuition fee support and maintenance grants which cover the true cost of living for all nursing students in England.

How can I help?

There are a number of ways you can help us with our Fund Our Future campaign. Here are some actions you can take immediately:

• From September 2020, degree-level students studying nursing, midwifery and some of the allied health subjects will receive a non-repayable and non-means tested grant of £5,000 a year to help with living costs.
• There will also be additional payments of up to £3,000 made up of the following:
• An extra £1,000 for those studying mental health or learning disability nursing;
• An extra £1,000 per academic year towards childcare costs for those eligible; and
• Students in certain regions will also receive £1,000 a year.
• The grant will be in addition to existing student support.
• Funding will be offered to existing students as well as new entrants.
• This will be for both postgraduate and undergraduate students.
• The NHS Business Service Authority will be administering the scheme. More details on how to apply will be announced shortly by the government.

• Whether any maintenance loan debt incurred by students who studied between 17/18 and 19/20 will be written off.
• How this applies to those studying part-time.
• Which regions the extra £1,000 payments will apply to.
• How this effects the Spring 2020 intake.
• Whether there will be any effect on universal credit payments.
• How the amount of funding per student has been calculated.
• How members find out about if this announcement affects any other of their personal circumstances.

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