Need help managing your finances? Start here.
Looking after your finances can be stressful, and with the rise in the cost of living it can feel even more overwhelming. We’ve put together a list of tips, advice, and resources to help save you money and make your budget go further.
💰 Money and discounts
Search for scholarships
There are a lot of scholarships, grants and bursaries available that you can apply for. Search The Scholarship Hub and check out the scholarships, grants, and bursaries on offer from Herts.
Turn2Us details information on grants, welfare benefits and financial assistance that may be available to you.
The University also has financial awards that you can apply for if you are eligible.
Sign up for student discounts
There are a lot of ways to save money including using student discounts. Have a look at sites such as UNiDAYS, Student Beans and TOTUM where you can get discounts on clothes, food, travel and much more.
🩺 Health and wellbeing
Prepare and plan for your meals
Like everything else, food is becoming more expensive. But there are ways to try and keep those shopping bills down.
Save the Student has made a list of ways that you could be saving money on your food shop, while the Association of UK Dietitians has produced a list of ways to eat healthily on a budget.
Please contact the Student Funding and Financial Support team, Student Wellbeing team or Herts SU Advice and Support Centre if you are considering using a food bank (such as the Trussell Trust) as we may be able to help you.
Receive help with your healthcare costs
You may also be eligible for the NHS Low-income scheme which helps with the costs for prescriptions, eye tests, dental treatment, and travel to appointments. You can also search for other schemes to help with costs through the NHS website.
Talk to someone
The Student Funding and Financial Support team is here to help and guide you through this challenging time. Come along to one of our drop-in sessions by filling out this form to see how we can help you.
You can also call our free 24/7 PAM Wellness counselling helpline that’s available 365 days of the year to discuss any worries or concerns you may have, and our Student Wellbeing team is available for a chat, to support you throughout your time at Herts.
✈️ Travel
Get discounted travel
Here at Herts, we have Uno buses which run across the county and into Bedfordshire and London. As a student, you can get discounted travel and by showing your student ID card, and you can travel on the shuttle bus between the campuses completely free!
Alternatively, if you’re searching for discounts on train travel then have a look at the National Rail railcards. They have a railcard for those aged between 16-25, 26-30, for those with a disability and much more. If you prefer to travel by coach across the country, then the National Express 16-26 travel card, which offers a third off the fare may be the best option for you.
🏠 Help with living costs
Apply for the University's Short-Term Assistance Grant (STAG)
If you're struggling to cover essential, day-to-day living expenses then you may be eligible for the Short-Term Assistance Grant (STAG). STAG is a non-repayable award of £250 aimed at assisting students with the rise in the cost of living.
Don’t pay for council tax (if you’re eligible!)
If you’re a full-time student living alone or with other students - you don’t need to pay council tax. You can get a council tax exemption letter from the University to show your local council that you shouldn’t be paying council tax. If you live with someone who isn’t a student, then make sure you check the council tax rules on the Government’s website.
You should also take the time to explore the Government’s website to see what you may be entitled to. The Government has its own cost of living page, which details what support is available, so check and see what help you could get. If you live in the local area, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has also created a directory of support. If you’re not sure where to start or are feeling overwhelmed, then please contact the Student Funding and Financial Support team will be able to advise.
Sort out your utility bills
There are ways to save money on your energy bills, schemes from energy providers. EDF and British Gas Energy Trust offer advice and support on dealing with rising prices. For tips on saving water have a look at Ofwat.
If you live in campus accommodation, bills are included in the price.
Borrow a laptop
Rather than buy a laptop, you can borrow one for four or twelve hours for free any time on campus. Each of the Learning Resources Centres has a laptop loan locker on the ground floor that you can collect from. And you don’t need to pre-book! You can also borrow a PC from the LRC to use off-campus.
🛠️ Tools and support
Sign up to the Blackbullion e-learning platform to get free financial education and use their terrific budgeting tool.
You can always reach out to the Student Funding and Financial Support Team as there are lots of ways in which we can help you.