Over 400 free NUS extra cards have been given to students, enabling them to claim discounts on a huge range of products and services.

The college itself has also chipped in, with bursaries of up to £1,000 a year being made available to students whose families are earning less than £20,000.

Toni Pearce, NUS Vice President for Further Education, said: “The loss of the EMA is being keenly felt by many students. NUS is pleased to join forces with Stoke-on-Trent College and Stoke-on-Trent College Students’ Union in order to provide support for those students who are finding it hard to make ends meet.”

Emma Moseley, students’ union and wider activities co-ordinator at the college, said: “We are delighted to have supported over 400 students.”

Regional press coverage of the scheme can be found here.