Financial Support

Arden has a Financial Support Bursary Scheme (Hardship Fund) and also access to a Financial Education Tool through a platform called Blackbullion. 

The Financial Support Bursary scheme 

This will support  UK students who are faced with unexpected costs associated with a disability, those experiencing unexpected financial difficulties with food, childcare and rent and those struggling to engage digitally by financing laptops and broadband access.  

Click here to see the different funds available through Blackbullion  

Student Support staff can sign you up or you can also register via the Blackbullion website. It’s important that you use your Arden email address when you sign up so that you see all the funding options available. 

Email inclusion@arden.ac.uk with any queries 

Financial Education Tool - Blackbullion 
  • This aims to support students’ financial education by setting you up with skills and tools for budgeting, planning and information around key topics such as cryptocurrency, working while studying and funding support.  

  • International students will have access to the tool but will not have access to the funds. 

Click here for access to a great library of financial planning resources! 

 

External Bursaries and Scholarships

You may be eligible for external financial support; please find details below. 

Myriad Myriad can be accessed online or you can download it directly from the App Store or Google Play. Once you have input your details, you can search for any scholarships/grants/bursaries that may be available.

The Scholarships Hub is a database containing a range of different bursaries and scholarships for UK and EU students. View database.

Turn2Us is a charity that has information on grants that might be available for individuals who are struggling. Please visit the website for more information.
 

Students with a disability

The Student Health Association (Enablement Fund)
Supports students with a disability in receipt of the DSA.
Up to £500 is available. Please visit the The Student Health Association to see how to apply.

The Leatherseller’s Company
The aim of these grants is to improve social mobility, relieve financial need where other support is not available and enable students to have a positive impact on British society in the future. The maximum grant you may be awarded is £5,000 per year for up to four years, which will be reassessed annually.~
To apply, please visit the Leatherseller's website.

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust
UK undergraduates
Undergraduates who have a parent or spouse who has worked as a pharmacist, grocer or commercial traveller for at least 5 years (or has retired in the last 10 years) are eligible. Up to £3000 bursary.
Deadlines: March and October
Please view website for full details on how to apply.

UK postgraduates
Postgraduates who have a parent or spouse who has worked as a pharmacist, grocer or commercial traveller for at least 5 years (or has retired in the last 10 years) are eligible.
Up to £5,000 bursary.
Deadline: September
Please see website for full details on how to apply.
 

UK students who have a home address in a specific area

Leicester/Leicestershire
Alderman Newton Education Foundation
For students under 24 who have a home address in the diocese of Leicester (City of Leicester and most of the county of Leicestershire).
You can apply for each year of study, but you need to do so 3 months in advance. For the application form and guidance notes please visit the website. Trustees meet monthly.

City of London/Tower Hamlets
Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation
For students under 30 who have a home address in the City of London or Tower Hamlets.
You can apply throughout the year. For the application form and guidance notes please visit the website.

Norwich
Anguish’s Educational Foundation
For students who have a home address in Norwich or in the parishes of Costessey, Hellesdon, Catton, Sprowston, Thorpe or Corpusty.
Students under 25 who have a household income of less than £600 per week (£31,200 per year).
Please e-mail: info@norwichcharitabletrusts.org.uk for an application form or visit the website for more information on how to apply.

Essex
Billericay Educational Trust
For students who have a home address within 6 miles of Billericay Basildon, Essex (includes Stock, Ramsden Heath, Ramsden Bellhouse and Noak Bridge).
For an application form please visit the website. Trustees meet in early July.
Closing date June 

Shropshire
Bowlder’s Educational Foundation
For students who have a home address in the county of Shropshire
For an application form email admin@unigrants.co.uk (please state Bowlder’s Educational Foundation).

Dorset (Christchurch)
Clingan’s Trust
For students who have a home address in Christchurch (Dorset) and outlying areas
For an application form, please visit the website.

Surrey
Egham United Charity 
For students under 25 who have a home address in Egham, Englefield Green, Egham Hythe, Virginia Water in Surrey.
For an application form, please visit the website. Trustees meet every six weeks.

Maidenhead
Spoore Merry and Rixman Foundation;
For students under 25 who have a home address in SL6 1-9 which includes Maidenhead and its nearby surrounding villages.
Please visit the website for further information.

Warwickshire (certain parishes)
The Hampton Lucy Educational Trust
For students under 25 who have a home address in the parishes of Hampton Lucy, Charlecote, Wasperton and Alveston (including Tiddington) in Warwickshire
Please visit the website for an application form.
Meetings to consider applications take place on the second Tuesday in January, May and September.

Camden or Westminster
The Philological Foundation
For students who attended secondary school in Camden or Westminster and have a low family income.
Please visit the website for an application form.

 

 

Top Tips for Money Management

Keep track of your spending

It might not be the most exciting task but keeping track of your spending is the best way to make sure you do not overspend.

In order to start keeping track, use an excel spreadsheet where you can input information on your income and outgoings. This will allow you to see how much you spend compared with how much money you have each month. If you then set a budget, you can start spending within your limits.

Or alternatively, there are several free apps so you can download straight to your phone:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthasharf/2016/03/02/12-free-apps-to-track-your-spending-and-how-to-pick-the-best-one-for-you/#1845f37a5445

Sticking to your limits has never been easier as now you can also check your balance at any time using a mobile banking app.

Be smart with food shopping

Food might be one of your biggest expenses, so it is worth figuring out ways to reduce your bills.  One way to do this is to buy supermarket value products rather than well- known brands. These are generally cheapest but do not compromise in quality.

In addition, you can also do your shopping in the evenings when many items are discounted.  Please be aware that you must eat them on the day.

Another idea is to do a big shop at the start of the week where you can buy everything you might need for that week. You will be saving money by making packed lunches rather than getting an expensive takeaway or a ready meal at the end of the day.

Don’t overpay for transport

If you are studying in London, you can get an 18 or over Student Oyster card. You can apply for one if you live in a London Borough during term time and are enrolled on a full- time course. You can apply online for the card and you will need to provide an active email address, student enrolment ID, London Borough address and a digital photo. Please note that there is an administration cost of £20 and the card is valid for three years.

Council tax exemption

Usually students are exempt from council tax especially those who are in full time education! Ask your student support officer how you can get a student status letter for the council.

Take advantage of student discounts

Several shops and food outlets offer student discounts.  In order to make the most of more than 200 student discounts, you would need to buy a TOTUM card from the NUS website. This costs £12 a year, £22 for two years and £32 for three years.  Savings include 30% off at Pizza express, 10% of at the Co Op, or 15% off on all artist material at WHSmith.

You can also get 6 months free Amazon Prime as a trial when you have a student email address, then it drops to half price for a year

Buy course books second-hand

It is evident that some course books can be expensive, but you do not need to purchase every item on your reading list.  You can download your books whenever you might need it from Arden’s online library which would save you money. Ask your Student Support Coordinator.

Useful Contacts

 

Citizens Advice 

Citizens Advice have lots of useful information and help on their website and also over the phone to help regain control of your finances: 

03444 111 444 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a UK debt charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt: 

0800 043 40 50 

http://www.debtadvicefoundation.org/

The National Debt Line

The National Debt Line are a leading debt advice charity who offer free help and advice on dealing with your debt: 

0808 808 4000 

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/

Turn2Us 

Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services: 

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Other-help/Debt

Step Change

Step Change offer expert debt advice and fee free debt management to help you tackle your debts: 

https://www.stepchange.org/

Other Related Pages

managing_money
Financial Support
Arden iLearn