Need support with money?
Whether you’re worried about food, rent, bills, travel or another essential cost, you do not have to wait until things feel unmanageable before asking for help.
The SUSU Advice Centre provides free, independent and confidential advice on finance, housing and academic issues. The team can listen to what is happening, help you understand your options and point you towards relevant support.
Not sure what to say?
Copy & paste this email to The Advice Centre.
Hi Advice Centre,
I’m currently experiencing some difficulties with my finances and I’m not sure what support may be available. I would like to speak to someone about my situation and possible next steps.
Please could you let me know how I can arrange an appointment?
Thank you.
What’s happening this week
Cost-of-Living Stand
Wednesday 11th November, 9am – 12pm
Avenue Campus
Come and see your Union President, Krzysztof, at Avenue Campus. Have a chat, share your experiences and tips, and have the chance to win useful freebies like heated blankets and hot water bottles.
Cost-of-Living Stand
Friday 13th November, 10am – 1pm
SUSU Redbrick, Highfield Campus
Come and see your Union President, Krzysztof, on the SUSU Rebrick on highfield Campus. Have a chat, share your experiences and tips, and have the chance to win useful freebies like heated blankets and hot water bottles.
No Limits: Get to Grips with Money Management Course
Thursday 12th and Friday 13th November, 11am – 4pm
The Treehouse, 34 The Avenue, Southampton
Money Ready are running a two-day course to equip young people with the skills they need to manage their money.
Find the right support for you
I am looking for financial support
Find advice, support and useful resources on the University’s cost of living hub.
I am worried about finances
SUSU's Advice Centre provides free, online Finance Guides as online resources for you to use.
I need help with essentials
The University offers support funds to help students struggling with living costs.
I am looking for work
We've increased the variety of Support Staff roles available to students at SUSU.
See what support is available
Budgeting
Having a budget can help you keep track of your spending and feel more in control of your money. Visit the University’s budgeting page for practical tips and guidance on creating a budget that works for you.
SUSU+
Make your money go a little further on campus with the SUSU+ app. Check out the latest SUSU+ discounts and offers available across SUSU venues and outlets.
Moves+
Make your everyday activity go further with Moves+. Earn points by getting active and exchange them for rewards that could help you save money.
Save on food with Too Good To Go
Pick up a Too Good To Go bag from SUSU Shop, containing a selection of surplus food.
Bags are available every day, with collection on weekdays between 5:30pm and 7:30pm, and weekends berween 2:30pm and 3:30pm. A great way to save on food while helping to reduce food waste.
Student Discounts
Being a student can unlock discounts on everything from food and shopping to travel and days out. Before you buy, it’s always worth checking whether there’s a student offer available.
A few places to check:
- UNiDAYS: student discounts across a wide range of brands.
- Student Beans: another handy place to find student offers and discount codes.
- SUSU Deals & Discounts: check out discounts and offers available specifically for Southampton students.
Transport
Getting around doesn’t have to cost more than it needs to. From free travel home after a night out to student bus fares and discounted train journeys, there are a few options worth knowing about.
SUSU Safety Bus: A free service to help you get home safely from campus.
Railcards: If you travel by train regularly, a railcard could help you save on eligible journeys.
Buses: Check student tickets and passes to see whether you could save on regular travel around Southampton.
Budget Recipes
The BBC Food website has lots of budget-friendly recipes and meal inspiration, from easy one-pot dishes to low-cost meal plans and recipes for one or more.
Community Pantry
The Round About Cafe (Westfield Corner, Southampton SO18 2LE) runs a community pantry open Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 14:00. The pantry is a membership-based scheme, with an annual £1 fee. Once you’ve joined, you will be able to access food and some household goods once a week.
Showers at SUSU
Hot showers are available for free on Level 1 of Building 42, in the sports changing rooms.
Free Period Products
You can find free period products in SUSU’s Building 40 & 42 toilets.
Cost of Living Support FAQs
What can I do if I'm struggling to afford essentials?
If you’re struggling to afford food, rent, bills, travel or other essentials, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to wait until things become unmanageable before asking for help.
Start by contacting the university’s student support fund team or SUSU’s Advice Centre. They can help you explore financial support, hardship funding, budgeting advice and other services that may be available to you.
If you’re struggling to afford food, you should contact The Student Hub in the first instance.
Can I get benefits while I'm a university student?
Some students can claim benefits, but eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Most full-time students are not eligible for Universal Credit, although there are important exceptions, including some students who have children, have a disability and qualify for certain benefits, or meet other specific criteria.
Part-time students may also be eligible in some circumstances.
Student finance can affect benefit entitlement, so it’s important to get advice based on your own situation before assuming you cannot claim anything.
For more information on benefits, you can view our guides.
What can I do if I cannot afford my rent?
If you’re worried about paying your rent, contact your landlord or accommodation provider as early as possible. Explain the situation and ask whether an affordable payment arrangement is possible.
You should also seek independent advice about your options, including whether you may qualify for financial assistance. If you receive a notice about rent arrears or eviction, get advice promptly, as there may be deadlines or steps you need to take.
Avoid agreeing to repayments you cannot realistically afford or ignoring letters about rent arrears.
For help with rent arrears, you can contact The Advice Centre.
How can I save money on food without compromising my health?
Planning meals around affordable ingredients can help you eat well on a budget. Consider:
- Buying frozen fruit and vegetables.
- Choosing affordable protein sources such as eggs, beans and lentils.
- Batch cooking with your housemates.
- Cooking larger portions and freezing leftovers.
- Comparing the price per kilogram or litre rather than just the shelf price.
- Checking reduced-price sections and supermarket loyalty schemes.
If you have specific dietary requirements, you can still plan affordable meals around the foods you can eat.
Supercook will help you to create recipes out of ingredients you already have in the house.
What should I do if I am getting into debt?
Don’t ignore the problem or feel that you have to deal with it alone. Start by listing what you owe, who you owe it to, the minimum payments, interest rates and any missed payments.
Prioritise essential costs and seek free, independent debt advice. Some debts have more serious consequences than others, so it is important to understand which payments need urgent attention.
Be cautious about payday loans, high-cost credit and buy-now-pay-later agreements. These can make financial difficulties harder to manage if repayments become unaffordable.
If you need support with debt, you can contact Stepchange.
I'm embarrassed about asking for financial help. What should I do?
Financial difficulties can affect anyone, and you don’t need to feel embarrassed about asking for support.
You don’t have to wait until you are in serious debt or have run out of money. An adviser can help you understand your options, explore available support and work out what to do next.
The Advice Centre offers independent advice, so you can discuss your circumstances and get help understanding your options without having to work everything out on your own.
Should I get a part-time job to help with living costs?
A part-time job can provide additional income, but it’s worth considering how it might affect your studies, wellbeing and other commitments.
You could look at campus jobs, temporary work, paid placements or flexible roles that fit around your timetable. Your university’s careers service may be able to help you find suitable opportunities.
If you are already struggling to keep up with your studies because of financial pressure, speak to the Financial Support Team as well. Employment isn’t the only option, and it may not be the right solution for everyone.
You don’t have to work it out alone
If money is affecting your food, housing, studies or wellbeing, support is available. You don’t need to know exactly what to ask for before getting in touch.
Cost of Living
At SUSU we’re here to help you with the cost of living during your studies. Whether it’s finding ways to save money or finding places to get support, this is the place to start!
Visit the University’s online cost of living hub to find out more about support offered for finances, health & wellbeing, food & shopping, study spaces, answers to your frequently asked questions, and more: Cost of Living online hub.
The Advice Centre
The Advice Centre is a free, confidential advice service for students, who are independent from the University. We are here to help you get the right support, at the right time, and can advise you on housing, financial and academic issues you may be facing. Our team are available Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:00.
Russell Group Students' Unions: Student Cost of Living Report
Research found in the Student Cost of Living Report, carried out by Russell Group Students’ Unions, details the impact of the cost of living crisis on students at Russell Group universities. The survey of 8,800 university students is the largest study on financial pressures currently facing students to date.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
One of our Advice Centre specialist areas is financial support, and we have a trained debt and money adviser available to speak to students. You can also find guides to finance issues such as funding for AHPs, Postgraduate Loans and information on how the University can support you on our Finance Guides page.
The Student Support Fund is available from the University, designated to help students that find themselves in unexpected financial hardship. Applications are open for the 22/23 academic year. Find out more on the University’s Student Support Fund page.
On the University’s Cost of Living online hub you can take a look at all the support the University and SUSU are offering in one place, including financial support, health & wellbeing support, and frequently asked questions.
Looking to open a student bank account but not sure which bank to go with, or how to apply? Save the Student have created a guide to the best student bank accounts 2022, which explains how a student account differs from a regular account, overdrafts, credit ratings and more.
Looking for a part-time, flexible job alongside your studies? We’ve increased the variety of Support Staff roles available to students at SUSU, and students will now receive the minimum wage rate for those aged 21 and over, regardless of your age. Take a look at the roles you can currently apply for on our Jobs page.
Looking for advice on how to create a budget for yourself? The Step Change website has an easy step-by-step guide to making your own budget, and a template you can download.
WELLBEING SUPPORT
University Wellbeing Support
The University offer a range of wellbeing support for students, including a 24/7 team, wellbeing chats, self-help resources. They also offer a Faith and Reflection Centre, and a Student Disability and Inclusion Team.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
The NHS offers a free prescription service for low-income earners, which includes students. You can find out more about how to apply for this on the NHS website.
Hot showers are available for free on Level 1 of Building 42, in the sports changing rooms.
The BBC Food website has lots of great ideas & recipes for budget-friendly meals, including easy one-pot meals, £1 meals, meals for groups and meals for one person.
The Round About Cafe (Westfield Corner, Southampton SO18 2LE) runs a community pantry open Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 14:00. The pantry is a membership-based scheme, with an annual £1 fee. Once you’ve joined, you will be able to access food and some household goods once a week.
