Student Financial Support

Use the KUSU Budget Planner here.

Managing your finances as a student is very important.  If you need help with putting together a budget plan or advice on managing your money, please ask and we will help.  The following “top tips” will get you started

• Income maximisation – do your research.  Are you getting everything you are entitled to?  Could you be eligible for bursaries form your university?
• Work out your major items of expenditure and when they are due.   
• Try not to worry when you list your income and essential expenditure
• Spend time planning.  Prepare a Budget Sheet and stick to it 
• Get a job (if you can) 
• Get a summer job   
• Keep a record of absolutely everything you spend – this helps identify spending patterns and where you might be able to make cuts
• Consider setting up standing orders/direct debits – this can help you to plan and make consistent regular payments to all the places you need to without worrying about missing payment dates.  You will need to be careful with direct debits and going over your agreed overdraft limit.  
• Plan for extras; start of year costs/special occasions/family birthdays etc.
• If you need to borrow money, take out a student loan or use only interest-free overdraft facilities 
• Get a student bank account if you can
• Supermarkets -  take advantage of ‘buy one, get one free’ offers, particularly on goods with a long ‘sell by’ date; ‘own brand’ products, collect discount coupons and redeem them when paying for your shopping. Buy with friends.  
• Share shopping and cooking with a friend.  Don’t buy sandwiches, minimise take-aways
• Join NUS and take advantage of the discounts  
• Be environmentally friendly, for example turning off lights when you are not in the room, this will help the planet and your bills! Energy efficient light bulbs free from Student Accommodation Services
• Use the bus – not taxis   
• Work out what you can spend per day and only take that much from the cash point
• Leave the car at home   
• Take a coach instead of the train – often cheaper.   Look into Rail and Coach Cards