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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to lend money to student?

17 replies

IamAporcupine · 27/09/2017 13:11

I work in a research setting. We have an international student working with us for 6 months. She is very good but her project is not finished yet so we thought we could give her a stipend for another 3 months. This will be beneficial for her, but also for the team.

At the moment she has a EU scholarship which ends this month. As it happens the paperwork took longer than expected and she will not be able to get paid until the end of October (best case scenario). She is panicking because she will not have money to live/pay rent. It looks like if her parents cannot offer financial support, she will not be able to stay.

I am considering to just lend her a months salary.
Is this a total no-no?

Just to clarify - I am her direct/daily supervisor but there is a line manager and a 'director' above me.

OP posts:

RB68 · 27/09/2017 13:13

Total No No sorry - but you could write a letter to her bank for her to allow a short term overdraft or similar

paq · 27/09/2017 13:14

No. Totally unprofessional. She needs to talk to whoever manages your student hardship fund.

Salva · 27/09/2017 13:14

Are you ok with it not being paid back? Her leaving for unexpected reasons nd not paying it back? Can you afford that?

RB68 · 27/09/2017 13:14

or ask those above you to do that might have some clout especially if they can point out its a formality

She is a vulnerable person and by loaning her money you could be accused of exploiting her so this is for your own as well as her good

mumofone234 · 27/09/2017 13:14

Can you afford not to get it back? I only ever lend money if so.

Original poster

IamAporcupine · 27/09/2017 13:15

Ah, that's a good idea!
Although I am not sure if she already has a UK account, I think she's been paid 'at home'

OP posts:

Original poster

IamAporcupine · 27/09/2017 13:16

She is a vulnerable person and by loaning her money you could be accused of exploiting her so this is for your own as well as her good

Had not thought of that. Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

IamAporcupine · 27/09/2017 13:23

Can I afford it? I guess I could but I didn't want to, no.

OP posts:

Original poster

IamAporcupine · 27/09/2017 13:23

*wouldn't want to

OP posts:

Allthebestnamesareused · 27/09/2017 13:37

Perhaps the research setting you are working out would be able to help her out rather than its employees personally especially if they want her to be able to stay on?

Subtlecheese · 27/09/2017 13:40

Any hardship fund she could access?

Treaclespongeandcustard · 27/09/2017 13:44

I work in a research setting and my boss once did this for me. I paid her back on payday. If I was in your position, I would contact HR and see if they can arrange an advance on her salary - my work have also don't that for me when there was a problem with a contract extension. It's kind that you're willing to help out but maybe share the problem with your boss too, they earn more than you!!!

Treaclespongeandcustard · 27/09/2017 13:45

Done and not don't - sorry I was autocorrected!!

Original poster

IamAporcupine · 27/09/2017 13:47

I think the best the university can do is what they are already doing. It is just the timing that is not right.

I will ask about hardship funds, thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

IamAporcupine · 27/09/2017 13:52

Treaclespongeandcustard glad to know that I am not the only crazy person that thought of doing this!

I really do not think HR can do anymore, they put enough obstacles already....

OP posts:

FinallyHere · 27/09/2017 15:13

Bit of a long shot, but could she try crowdfunding?

I agree with the others about the dangers, but have been known to do something on a much smaller scale, but with no expectation of it ever being paid back. Another 'hardship fund' was found, which paid cash.

People were very generous to me, when i was a student, living far from home, that i was happy to do it as a form of 'pay it forward'. Could you feed her at lunchtime?

Original poster

IamAporcupine · 27/09/2017 15:25

Could you feed her at lunchtime? this made me laugh!
Could do, but rent would still be a problem

OP posts:

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