Petition · past parliament
Offer financial support for students who have had to defer for medical reasons.
Closed
56 signatures
What the petition asks
If a full time university student has to defer the course due to medical reasons, there are no provisions in place to prevent them from becoming homeless or to access financial support. Many students defer each year and are forced to give up their education in order to claim state benefits.
Department for Work and Pensions regulations do not consider deferred students, even if they are signed off sick by their GP.
Housing benefit do not consider deferred students even if they have dependent children.
Student Finance England can only provide up to 60 days worth of funding if you provide adequate evidence for the reason why you've had to defer.
Universities have grants for those in hardship but have a yearly allowance. You cannot go over this limit under any circumstances.
Housing benefit do not consider deferred students even if they have dependent children.
Student Finance England can only provide up to 60 days worth of funding if you provide adequate evidence for the reason why you've had to defer.
Universities have grants for those in hardship but have a yearly allowance. You cannot go over this limit under any circumstances.
Timeline
| 9 May 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 9 Nov 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
56
Status
Closed
Opened
9 May 2016
Closed
9 Nov 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.