Hello, we are Niall and Alma, and we are helping our friend Esther raise the urgent support she needs to stay in university.

Here is Esther's story in her own words:

Hello, I am Esther and I am a first year university student in a Top 30 university. I came to the UK 5 years ago, but I am still in the process of being granted permanent residency.

Due to this, the Student Finance team of the government has refused to give me any maintenance loans to help me pay my rent.

I do not earn enough to pay rent by myself, and due to a bad relationship with my parents and them not earning enough either way, they do not support me financially. I moved 4 hours away from home, meaning it would be extremely difficult for me to commute to my studies.

I have worked so hard to get to university - I aced my A level exams despite having no teachers and going to one of the worst schools in my city. I am the first one in my family to attend university, and I am doing my education in the UK where English is my third language.

I have worked so hard and no one is helping me. The student financial support teams are giving me no solutions, no one from Student Finance or the case worker to get my settled status are reaching out to me, and I still have not heard back from the Formal Appeals from Student Finance either.

Your support would mean the world and make it possible for me to remain here and fulfil my dreams of going to university.

Thank you so much.