University is a major step for most people. There is plenty to think about, especially when it comes to looking after your personal finances.
Here at the University of Greenwich, we want to make sure you are armed with all the financial information you need. This includes practical advice about things like student support, banking and budgeting.
How to get more money, faster
Student Finance England (SFE) organise your tuition fee loan and maintenance loan. When you accept a place at Greenwich through Clearing, your next priority is to update your SFE application. Tell them that you are now coming to Greenwich.
If you don't do this, the university will not receive notification from SFE that you are receiving financial support, and this will delay your student maintenance loan being paid to you.
If you originally applied to study at a university outside of London, but will now be studying at our Greenwich or Avery Hill campuses and living in student accommodation, you will be re-assessed by Student Finance as you may be entitled to more money.
Make sure you sign a new student loan declaration and return it to SFE, otherwise you will receive only the loan you originally accepted, and miss out on the extra money.
Whether you've applied through Clearing or earlier in the year, you should ensure that you've signed and returned the student loan declaration. Without it, there will be no support to pay to you.
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries are available in certain circumstances. There are a number of allowances and grants for students with children, students who are care leavers, and disabled students. You could also apply for a High Achievement Scholarship when you receive your exam results.
The High Achievement Scholarship is:
- A mark of how much we value you and your achievements to date
- A way of easing your financial pressures
- A motivator for you to do well throughout your studies at university, as the award will be reflect your marks each year.
I was over the moon when I got the e-mail telling me I'd got the scholarship. I'd managed to budget for my student accommodation and weekly spending before I started at university but this has really taken the pressure off having to find a part-time job straight away. It's also given me extra money to be able to socialise and do more things in my first term, and because the money for my second and third years will be linked to my marks, it's that extra little bit of encouragement to do well.
Mitchell Carter, BA Hons Property Development and Management student
How to manage your money before terms starts
Think about your budget; especially what's referred to as 'priority bills', such as rent. If you're staying in halls, pay your £400 deposit as soon as you have successfully applied for accommodation. Make sure you know how much the rent is, and how much is left over after you've paid it. You can then start to think about other costs you might have.
Ensure that you have some money for Freshers' Fortnight. There will be a number of events that take place before your first loan payment comes through, and you don't want to miss out on going to the Freshers' Ball because you don't have the money.
Budgeting
Before you come to university it makes sense to plan a realistic budget. You will be able to identify any unnecessary expenses and find ways to save money.
Budgeting helps you work out how much money you have coming in (income) and how much money you have going out (expenditure). You'll be able to see how much you have left and plan for future spending. There is no right or wrong way to budget, so find an app or website that suits you.
Banking
Look around and investigate bank accounts; find the right one. Ignore offers of daft gadgets that you won't use. Focus on how much student overdraft you can get, what the charges are on it while you're a student but also what charges there are on it once you've graduated.
Claire, Student Finance team
When you look for a student bank account, consider:
- What it offers you while you're a student
- How soon after graduation the account will convert into a regular one and start charging you
- What the charges will be and what the interest rate will be after graduation.
You don't want to graduate in June/July and then have the bank writing to you in August saying: 'You're £1000 overdrawn, we're going to charge you £100 a month' and you haven't even had time to find a job!
Claire, Student Finance team
Making savings
Register for a Student Oyster card, and start saving by getting yourself a National Union of Students (NUS) Plus Card. It costs a mere £12 and will save you plenty on all sorts of things including bars and restaurants, bookshops, clothes and travel. You may also find a Young Person's Rail Card helpful. Find out more about eating well and cheaply at uni and making your money last.
We're here to help you
There's a lot to consider so why not save yourself a lot of trouble by getting all the advice you can. Advice is free and available from our Student Finance Teams at any point during your time with us.
There is plenty of information on the website: Read the useful FAQs and you may find answers to some of questions most students ask about student finance and financial support at the university. If you do not find an answer to your question, please contact us on the details below and we will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
We can give you help and advice with anything that relates to money, from bursaries, scholarships and international student finance to managing your money and budgeting. We also have an Employability and Careers service in each faculty to help you make money while you're at uni.
Managing your money
Money Doctors helps students make more informed decisions about their finances. We provide advice on government financial support, University Hardship Funds and managing your budget.
Get information, advice and support on:
- money management
- debt management
- supplementary income
- funding of postgraduate study.
With interactive resources from staff and student finance advisors, you'll be supported whichever campus or course you choose.
Contact us
Contact us on our Helpline on 020 8331 8272 and choose Option 5. There's a Student Finance Team in each Student Centre on each of our campuses so you can also pop in and see us on a campus tour or open day.
