The Advice Team have put together some information based on their most common enquiries during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The situation may change, so please note that the information was correct at the time of publication. Last update 04/07/2022.
Contents
- Travel
- Accommodation Issues
- Money Issues
- Study Issues
- Wellbeing Issues
Travel
Am I allowed to travel to Glasgow currently?
Yes, Covid-19 travel rules for people arriving from abroad ended in March 2022.
For a comprehensive summary of the Scottish Government Coronavirus guidance please see their online hub here: Coronavirus in Scotland
Can I travel, or return home, or visit my family?
There are no longer any Covid-19 travel rules for moving around the UK, however if you’re visiting Scotland from another country, you should check your own government’s advice about travelling home after visiting Scotland.
Accommodation Issues
I want to leave my tenancy in University Halls or Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)
If you are wishing to leave your University or Private PBSA Halls due to a “coronavirus-related reason”, then you are allowed to submit notice to leave. This is due to the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No2) Act coming into force on 27th May 2020. This states that any student who signed a contract with University Halls of Residence or Purpose Built Student Accommodation after that date, or who signed the contract before that date but has not yet moved in, has the right to cancel the contract with 28 days’ notice, as long as it’s for a coronavirus-related reason.
Please note, this right to cancel will expire on 30/09/22.
There is more information about this on the Advice Centre webpage on leaving halls early.
If your Halls refuse this request or do not refund any rent in advance you paid then please contact the Advice Centre.
I want to leave my tenancy (Private Residential Tenancy)
If you decide to leave, and your flatmates are all in agreement, you should only need to give your landlord 28 days’ notice under a Private Residential Tenancy. If your flatmates do not agree to end the tenancy, then the situation is a bit more complicated. Please contact the SRC Advice Centre at advice@src.gla.ac.uk for further discussion on this.
Money Issues
When should I apply for SAAS for session 2022-23?
If you want to ensure you receive your funding in time for the start of term, you need to apply by 30th June 2022. (the ‘Guarantee Date’).
There is more information in the SAAS FAQs discussing their additional funding during the pandemic.
Is Student Loans Company funding affected by the pandemic?
Guidance for SLC funded students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
My course has ended, can I claim benefits?
When you finish a full-time course you no longer count as a student for benefit purposes, and can therefore claim benefits in the same way as anyone else provided you meet the other eligibility requirements. The date you can claim from is usually the day after the last day of the final academic year of your course. This year, for most undergraduate students, the last date of the academic year will be Friday 27th May 2022.
Most full-time students cannot claim benefits however there are a few exceptions to this and the rules can be quite complex, so if you need further advice contact us: advice@src.gla.ac.uk and see our Money webpage.
There is also the Scottish Welfare Fund. It consists of crisis grants and community care grants. Students are not excluded from this help – if you have a low income you can apply. Applications are made via your local authority.
I have filled in my council tax exemption form online, but have just received a bill for council tax from the council
If you have filled in your exemption online, it can still take as long as 2 or 3 weeks for your online exemption to be fully processed, and so this might explain why you have been sent a bill. For more information, please see the UofG webpage on council tax and students.
We have been advised that the best way to contact Glasgow City Council’s council tax department at the moment is via the Live Chat function on their webpage. If you live in a different local authority area, check their webpages for guidance as they may have a similar provision in place.
Study Issues
Will the University loan me a laptop to complete my work at home?
See: University of Glasgow Laptop Loan Scheme.
Wellbeing Issues
I’m really struggling with my mental health during this crisis. What support is there for this?
The University’s Counselling and Psychological Service (CAPS) are able to offer remote appointments which you can book online.
Also see CAPS page on Coronavirus and Mental Health and list of self-help resources.
CAPS have also created a comprehensive list of external support services and helplines.
Students at the University of Glasgow can also access the peer support site Togetherall (formerly known as Big White Wall).
There is some really helpful guidance from the Mental Health Foundation on looking after your mental health during this outbreak.
I need emergency or crisis support.
In an emergency phone 999 to speak to the Police, Fire & Rescue Service or Ambulance Service.
The University of Glasgow also runs a Crisis Team and they can be phoned 24/7 on 0141 330 4444.
Question not answered here?
Visit the Scottish Governments Coronavirus in Scotland online hub, or
Try the University’s Coronavirus home page , or
Contact UofG Helpdesk , or
Contact the Advice Centre at advice@src.gla.ac.uk.