FIFE COLLEGE has served over 34,000 free meals to students over the 2022-2023 academic year. 


The meals were offered through the long-running Breakfast Club and the new lunch club which was introduced this year, as a part of the college's commitment to helping students through the cost of living crisis. 


Vicki Anton, the head of student experience at Fife College, said: "We firmly believe that every student deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their financial circumstances."


According to an NUS Scotland report in February, more than half of college and university students across Scotland skip meals due to lack of money.


Fife College has been determined to tackle this and any other obstacle getting in the way of students accessing their education.


Vicki continued: "Our support measures, including the provision of free meals and loaned devices, have had a profoundly positive impact on our students, helping them focus on their studies without worrying about their basic needs."


Free meals were offered to students across all five of the college's campuses, including the Dunfermline campus.

 
To help make college more affordable, just under 15,000 free device loans were also made during the year as part of the College's wide range of support measures.


Additional support, highlighted as part of Fife College's ongoing cost-of-living campaign, has included free bus travel, for those under 22, free gym sessions at the College's Kirkcaldy campus, and free/discounted haircuts and beauty treatments.


The College's Guidance team are also available to discuss any personal issues or financial concerns students may have.


Ms Anton added: "We will remain committed to helping our students during the cost-of-living crisis, reassuring them that the college will continue to offer them the support they need to succeed in their studies."