Wolverhampton university student struggling to pay tuition fees after Nepal floods

A Wolverhampton university student struggling to pay his tuition fees due to flash flooding in Nepal says he has had his sponsorship questioned and fees ‘demanded’ by the university.

Nabin Pariyar, a second year student at the University of Wolverhampton, says his family’s business was destroyed in the Nepal floods but despite providing evidence of this the university said he needed to pay more than £15,000 to cover tuition fees. He also owes a £2,000 overdraft.

He claimed the university originally told him he had 10 days to pay or his sponsorship would be revoked, however the university have since allowed Nabin to stay until the end of October if he pays his overdraft of £2,000.

In response to his claims, the university stated it has been in contact with Nabin to discuss the support and assistance available to him, including options for financial support and his studies.

It also said it remained committed to working with him to identify the best possible way forward.

Nabin told the Express & Star: “My parents always helped to pay the fees but because our business in our country is damaged they can’t help me pay.

“I told the university I was having a problem and I needed an extension but the university said I have to pay in full and I couldn’t get the proper time or help.

“I feel helpless and I don’t have any relatives in this country. The university needed to help me but they told me to follow their policy instead.”

A GoFundMe appeal has been set up to help raise money to pay Nabin’s university fees by friend Stella Kazadi, which has already raised over £2,000.

This is enough to cover his overdraft but to allow him to finish the course the student will need to raise over £15,000.

Nabin’s friend Stella said: “There was nothing I could do, the uni said he had to pay and weren’t being lenient even after seeing the document about his business being destroyed.

“I couldn’t give him money I didn’t have but I got into contact with my sisters and they suggested to make a GoFundMe. The most I thought I’d get was £30 but I thought it was worth a try.

“I felt quite angry about [the universities response] because besides him having extenuating circumstances this isn’t my first time hearing about cases like this at the uni. The uni could have at least offered some kind of scholarship or if they couldn’t then some sort of payment plan or financial support.”

A University of Wolverhampton spokesperson said: “We are very sorry to hear about the extremely difficult circumstances Nabin and his family are facing following the flooding in Nepal, and we fully appreciate the distress this has caused.

“The university has been in contact with Nabin to discuss the support and assistance available to him, including options for financial support and his studies.

“We remain committed to supporting Nabin and working with him to identify the best possible way forward.”

To donate to Nabin’s appeal and find out more information visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nabin-pay-for-school-and-stay-in-the-uk