JS Group has today released its latest Annual Report – The Shape of Student Financial Support 2025, revealing how universities are responding to rising financial pressures across the sector and increasing cost-of-living challenges for students.
Drawing on data from over 145,000 students and other beneficiaries across 40 universities and funders, the report provides the most detailed picture yet of how financial support is being delivered, used, and experienced through the Aspire platform, with more than £46.3 million distributed as cash, credit and vouchers over the past year.
The 2024/25 academic year has been one of continued financial strain across the higher education sector. Universities are balancing rising costs and competitive recruitment pressures, while students continue to face acute cost of living challenges despite an inflationary uplift in maintenance support for 2025/26.
The report explores how universities are adapting to these realities, using data-driven insight from over 145,000 students and other beneficiaries supported via the Aspire platform, representing every mission group in higher education.
Our findings indicate that more efficiency and more flexibility in the delivery of financial support is needed. Aspire is responding by giving universities greater optionality over how and when funding is delivered, and students more agency in how and when it is used, ensuring the system meets the evolving needs of the future.
As Peter Gray, Chairman & CEO of JS Group, notes:
This year’s findings bring us closer than ever to understanding the full picture of student financial need. The evidence base is now strong enough to help the sector shape more effective, data-informed funding strategies and ensure that every pound of support is delivered with purpose, insight and measurable impact.
The report also highlights how universities are using Aspire to drive greater efficiency and transparency in their processes. Partners such as Cardiff University, the University of Chester and the University of Salford report significant administrative time savings and enhanced ability to respond rapidly to student needs, demonstrating how technology can underpin both operational resilience and student success.
Amid rising financial and operational pressures, the findings underline a clear message: purposeful, well-delivered financial support remains a cornerstone of student success and institutional sustainability.
