Temporary financial support for Iranian students
Category: Students Union Petition
Voting closed
University Response
Annie Jennings (Director of Student Life): Annie expressed appreciation for the situation and confirmed the university's commitment to supporting Iranian students. She outlined the following measures already in place or being developed:
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The university has committed to not deregistering Iranian students due to financial difficulties.
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Expanded flexibility around direct financial support is available.
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Any student affected is encouraged to contact the Care and Concern team directly.
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Financial aid is available and accessible.
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The university acknowledges the significant academic stress involved and is working to establish a consistent approach to deadline extensions via the extenuating circumstances process.
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Options currently available include deferral of studies, though Annie acknowledged this has implications for scholarships — a point she committed to raising and escalating.
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The university is considering whether support measures can be applied in-year or will need to be longer-term arrangements.
We, the undersigned Iranian students at Middlesex University, submit this petition through the Students’ Union to request temporary flexibility and support regarding tuition fee and accommodation payments.
Due to the exceptional and ongoing situation in Iran, many Iranian students are currently experiencing serious financial and logistical barriers. Nationwide internet shutdowns and banking disruptions have made it impossible for students to access online banking services or receive financial support from their families abroad. As a result, some students are temporarily unable to meet scheduled tuition and accommodation payment deadlines.
We wish to emphasise that this situation is temporary and entirely beyond students’ control. Affected students remain fully committed to meeting all financial obligations to the University as soon as normal access to banking and communication services is restored.
We therefore respectfully ask Middlesex University, with the support of the Students’ Union, to consider:
Temporary extensions to tuition fee and accommodation payment deadlines, and/or
Short-term flexible payment arrangements (up to two months) for affected Iranian students.
Middlesex University and the Students’ Union have a strong record of supporting student wellbeing and fairness. We kindly ask that this support be extended to Iranian students during this exceptional period.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration.
Comments
Due to the current situation in Iran and the restrictions affecting international financial transfers, many Iranian students are currently unable to meet the scheduled tuition payment deadlines. In addition, some new students may not be able to arrive in time for the start of the academic term. We kindly request that, in consideration of these circumstances beyond the students’ control, appropriate support be provided, such as extending payment deadlines or allowing temporary flexibility.
I hope the situation in Iran improves soon. I would like to sincerely thank the Student Union for giving students more time to make their payments. This support is definitely useful and necessary for many of us. Thank you for your understanding.
I support this decision