Help CenterIf you are strugging with your finances, there are lots of small things you can do that will make a difference to your budget. Here are some suggestions - please send us any other money hacks that we can add to this list by emailing scholarships@ish.org.uk
- ISH’s Mary Trevelyan Hardship Fund is open to all residents of International Students House and non-British students at ISH member universities: read the eligibility criteria carefully
- See the British Council's 8 top money saving tips for International Students
- See the University of West London’s tips at https://www.uwl.ac.uk/current-students/support-current-students/cost-living-support , including a great list of Trusts and Charities that students can access
- Sign up to Unidays or for a Totum Student Discount card
- Check if your bank offers any features to help with budgeting, eg different "pots" for specific purposes
- Online resources such as www.savethestudent.org , www.studentbeans.com/uk , https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/cost-of-living
- Shop for clothes sustainably using apps like Vinted and local charity shops
- Use apps like olio or Too good to go for food sharing
- Shop at the end of the day for reduced price items
- Team up and cook with friends, it’s more cost effective
- Pick up free supermarket magazines, they often have budget recipes and vouchers, and sign up for loyalty cards, eg Tesco Clubcard, to access lower prices / special offers
- Itsu – 15% student discount and “Half an hour before closing, all our sushi and salad is available at half price. We think this helps reduce waste as well as giving you a little treat at the end of the day.”
- If you use public transport lots, it might be worth having a Student Oystercard or a 16-25 Railcard for travel further afield
- Check out what support is available at your university, eg some universities are offering a free basic breakfast, value meals in their catering outlets, access to microwaves or hot water to make your own refreshments, free period products:
UCL https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/cost-living-hub
University of Westminster https://www.westminster.ac.uk/current-students/university-life/student-finance/cost-of-living-financial-support-from-the-university
Royal Academy of Music Financial Assistance for 2023/24 https://www.ram.ac.uk/financial-assistance And for enquiries on hardship fund email Slow@ram.ac.uk All students are eligible and will be means-tested
King’s College London https://www.kcl.ac.uk/students/cost-of-living
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/student-funding/hardship-funds
LSHTM - https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/new-students/london-life/cost-living
London Metropolitan University - https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/hardship-fund/
Imperial College London - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/about/cost-of-living-support/