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However you look at it, attending university represents a significant investment in time and money. Today’s ongoing cost of living crisis is enough to put off many aspirational students from pursuing their higher education dreams, as well as creating additional financial pressure for those students who are already enrolled - fortunately help is at hand. Universities and students’ unions across the UK are working hard to implement accessible cost saving initiatives which give students extra support and strengthens student communities.
Scholarships and bursaries
These financial award schemes ensure that students have the resources to study in confidence. Bursaries in particular are aimed at providing a safety net for those who need additional funding support, and are offered at most universities for a wide range of eligibility criteria. Students from low-income household, young carers, and disabled students have access to a variety of grants, discounts and specialist services.
Hardship funds
Most universities run a dedicated Hardship Fund, which is essentially the pot from which funding for bursaries and cost of living subsidies is taken. In light of the rapidly increasing cost of living, some universities have similarly increased the size of their funds enabling more support to be given to individual students, as well as support reaching a greater number of students.
The University of Essex and their students’ union is one such example, and has increased its cost of living support package by 25% since last year with an unprecedented £4.41 million available this year. A remarkable £6,000 support package includes a bursary of £2,000 to help students with campus rental costs in their first year, on top of an existing £2,000 means-tested cash bursary to be allocated by individual students wherever they need it most, and an additional £2,000 award for on-campus accommodation, if students achieve three grade Bs or above in their A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
Professor Madeline Eacott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, says: “We know how serious the cost of living crisis is and we are doing all we can to ensure young people don’t miss out on the benefits of university.”
Budgeting support and advice
University financial services departments can offer free budgeting support, and in addition to helping you apply for university-run funding schemes can assist in helping you source and apply to external funding schemes from national and government sponsors.
Free or discounted food
Food is an essential daily expense which can add up to a significant monthly cost if you’re buying meals on the go. Unis frequently offer vouchers, free meals, and discounted food on campus, and this can be a great way to stretch your student budget.
Since 2022, Newcastle University Students’ Union has been running a Free Pantry initiative located inside the students’ union building which can be accessed by all students without having to ask anyone. Students can easily take what they need, and the pantry is supported by donations from the university and its partnership with FareShare, a charity tackling food poverty and waste.
Lucy Leeds 2023-24 Welfare & Equality Sabbatical Officer says: “We wanted to provide a complimentary and stigma free initiative where students who needed help could pick up essential items. Since its launch, we have seen a positive response, and are glad to have had such an impact on our students.”
The University of Greenwich is also doing its part to tackle the cost of living crisis by providing free Community Breakfasts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and dinners on Mondays and Wednesdays. Meals are open to all students with a free first come, first served pre-booking system to manage demand.
Rachel Ashton, Executive Director of Student and Academic Services says: "Our students tell us that they not only help with the cost of living, but they also provide a sense of belonging and community."
Wherever you study, be sure to check out your options. Many universities have teamed up with companies such as Too Good To Go, which tackles food waste by offering daily unsold fresh food at a discounted price.
Access to technology
Many universities run free access to laptop schemes, discounted software, and other course-related digital services.
Aston University goes even further by offering free Vodafone SIM cards to students from low-income families to help them stay connected and to tackle digital exclusion. 1,000 free SIM cards have been donated by the Vodafone Foundation. Each offers 40GB of data each month, plus unlimited UK texts and calls, and is valid for six months.
Alison Levey, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (students) at Aston University, says: “The students who have received the SIM cards have found them very useful and were grateful for the support.”
What else are unis doing?
There are, of course, hundreds of different ways that universities are helping out, from cancelling late book fines, to removing the cost of resit fees, and paying the Voluntary Living Wage for university and students’ union jobs. There are too many to include here, so we encourage you to visit your university and students’ union website and see what you can find.
Get help to understand student finances and budgets using Whatuni’s student finance guide.
