FIFE College says it is "working hard" to help its students as the cost of living crisis continues.

The facility was reacting to the latest Cost of Survival report from NUS Scotland’s latest Cost of Survival which revealed that 37 per cent of students have considered dropping out for financial reasons.

It showed that 52 per cent of those surveyed said they had skipped a meal because of lack of money and 11 per cent had used a foodbank.

Over 45 per cent said they had gone without heating because of lack of money while 35 per cent had been unable to pay their rent in full and 21 per cent had missed a class due to travel costs and a further seven per cent missed a placement.

One Fife College student, Taylor Edwards, 19, who studies HND Acting and Performance at the College’s Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy campuses, admitted it was challenging times for him and his fellow students.

"I have to work when I’m not studying," he said. " I live in Comrie and can’t afford to move out with rising costs I can’t afford driving lessons. so with studying between Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, as well as working in Dunfermline I’m on the bus a lot.

"This means usually four to six different buses a day and usually about the same amount of time commuting. It’s a big drain on my energy and it can be difficult to motivate yourself every morning.

"Fortunately most of my lecturers have been able to help me out with some adjustments to timetables but these then affect others."

Shannon Harris, 28, studies HNC Health Care Practice at the College’s Dunfermline Campus as well as working and completing a placement as part of the course.

She said studying during the cost of living crisis is difficult for anyone in any circumstance.

"I want to improve my learning and study to give myself a better future however studying, being in college and placement takes away days that could be potential work days and this can be stressful," she explained.

"The rise in the cost of everything has impacted my mental health as I’m anxious as it brings a huge stress on managing to pay bills and afford to live a healthy lifestyle.

"Therefore working and earning money sometimes has to come first which in turn affects my ability to stay in education and time manage my studies."

Fife College Vice Principal Dorothee Leslie said the latest report matched what their students have been saying for some time.

"We are working hard to help our current and prospective students during this cost-of-living crisis and providing them with the reassurance that the college will continue to offer them a wide range of support measures to make coming to college affordable," she said.

"Our breakfast Club initiative, for example, has been an incredibly popular service from the College with over 5,000 free breakfasts being served since the start of the 2022/23 academic year. Building on this, from next week we'll also be serving free lunches.

"We also provide access to free laptops and other devices to support studies as well as support in gaining Hardship payments and food shop vouchers. This is a constantly evolving list based on the needs of our students as the cost-of-living crisis continues."