Budgeting in Bath

Don't be afraid to switch bank accounts – shop around! There are lots of great deals out there including interest-free overdrafts, railcards, and more. Money Saving Expert have a great guide on student bank accounts.

Loads of shops and restaurants give discounts to students. Always ask! You could also buy an TOTUM card for additional savings.

Students are often on the wrong tax code and don't realise. You might be due a refund. Check with the Jobshop at Careers or call HMRC.

When you get your loan instalment it's tempting to go on a big shop! Most people will never have received so much money in one go before. Think before you spend – make a list of all the important things you need to use the money for first (rent, food, transport, utility bills) and then see if you have some leftover. You can find budgeting advice online on The Money Advice Service Budget Planner website.

If you take the bus each day then it is defnitely worth buying a termly or monthly bus pass. Paying for a return ticket each day will soon add up.

The Careers Service have a great Jobshop and can give you loads of advice on job hunting, applications and CVs. Most students work part-time throughout their studies, and it's a great way to get more work experience.

Takeaways and eating out can be expensive. We all deserve a treat now and then, but day-to-day it is unrealistic to eat out all the time or order takeaway every day. Most people will bring their own lunch to uni to save money. Also think about cooking at home and with flatmates, it means you can buy in bulk and save money, and leftovers are perfect for the next day. You can find cheap recipe ideas online.

You don't need brand new books. If you haven't found the library yet, you're missing out. Most courses will have set books that are available for free in the library or via an online journal. You could also buy secondhand books online. There's no point spending £100s on books just for one term.

If you can avoid it, we recommend you don't use a credit card while studying. There are some good deals out there but you need to investigate fully and understand what you're signing up to.

Payday loans are even worse than credit cards. They charge high interest rates and can cause you lots of problems. You could end up paying back double what you borrowed. The Student Funding team offer a short term loan scheme (interest-free) as an alternative.

If you think you might struggle whilst at uni, ask for help. The sooner you act, the sooner you might be able to resolve any worries you have. Student Wellbeing Services are open all year round to give you confidential advice and guidance.

In addition to the various options for financial support provided by the Government and University, there are Educational Trusts and Charities that may be able to offer you further funding.

There are many trust and charity organisations who have a wide range of criteria that may be able to offer non-repayable financial assistance, depending on your personal circumstances.

• Not all charities will be relevant to your situation. Try to pick the charities that you feel best suit your circumstances and needs.
• Try to tailor your application to the charity you are applying to. Avoid a one-letter-fits-all approach and explain why you believe the award would benefit your studies. Student Wellbeing Services can offer guidance on this.
• Speak to your tutor to get an academic reference which will give the provider an indication of how you're progressing on your course.

You can contact Student Wellbeing Services and speak with a Wellbeing Advisor who may be able to help support your application and answer any queries you may have.

• The Leverhulme Trade Charities: Offers annual bursaries of up to £3,000 a year if you fit their criteria.
• EDF Customer Support Fund: Awards grants to people who need help with their energy bills and other essential household costs. Gas and/or electric must be supplied by either SWEB Energy, Virgin Home Energy, Seeboard Energy or London Energy.
• The Elizabeth Nuffield Educational Fund (ENEF): May be able to help you with the cost of your childcare or family care.
• Scholarship Search: This is a useful site to help you find scholarships.
• Hockerill Educational Foundation: The Hockerill Educational Foundation invites applications for grants (usually £500–£1,000 per annum) to teachers in training who have particular financial difficulties.
• BAHSHE: Students must apply for a Disabled Students Allowance if eligible. Grants are given for items of equipment to aid study such as computers and software; in addition, contributions may also be made for extra travel costs, cost of a helper/notetaker, extra books or photocopying.
• Student Health Association: The fund helps students with disabilities to keep up with their studies. Students must be involved in higher education on a full-time or nearly full-time basis. Students must have applied for Disabled Students' Allowances if eligible. Maximum amount of each award is £500.
• Snowdon Trust:  If you have a physical or sensory disability and are in post-16 education, you can apply for help with additional disability-related costs that are not fully provided for you from available statutory funding.
• Turn2Us: Charitable grant search website
• Curo Scholarship: Anyone who lives in a Curo property is eligible to apply for this £9,000 scholarship. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview in the spring of the year the course is due to start.

Full time students cannot usually claim benefits. In general, students are expected to receive support via the statutory student funding system, such as student loans and grants.

However, if you're a full-time student, you may be entitled to claim benefits throughout the year or for a limited period if you are a:

• Lone parent
• Student with disabilities (in receipt of PIP/DLA)
• Single person with foster children
• Refugee
• Partner of another full-time student and you have responsibility for a child or children
• Partner of a non-student if they satisfy the individual conditions of entitlement.

Part-time students may be able to claim benefits if they meet the basic rules of entitlement. Contact your local benefits office for further details.

You can check your entitlement to any benefits on the Turn2Us website.

For further information, please visit www.gov.uk.

If you're concerned or have any queries about possible benefit entitlement, please contact Student Wellbeing Services.

Full-time students don't pay Council Tax. Find out more at gov.uk

Part-time students are liable to pay Council Tax. You might get a discount if you qualify. Find out more at gov.uk.