If you need financial support or want to explore options such as budgeting, ways to save money and any other
financial queries, contact us at SUBUAdvice@bournemouth.ac.uk or
call 01202 965779, Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm.
SUBU Financial Support
Small Emergency Grant
The Small Emergency Grant is available to all students who require very short-term assistance who have no, or very
little funding available to them. The typical award is £20 which is provided in the form of an ASDA voucher.
The fund is extremely limited, and criteria include, but are not limited to:
- having less than £10 in your bank account, having utilised or at least applied for an overdraft
- having no other sources of income
- in certain cases, having submitted an application to the BU Financial Support Fund
Please be prepared that during this application we will ask for evidence of your current bank balance and financial
background to understand the best award for your circumstances.
Contact us if you would like to apply.
- Items available to students in our pantry include food items, personal hygiene products, cleaning and household
supplies. Come to our Advice office between 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday and ask if you can access our food
pantry.
Food Parcels Scheme (CLV Packs)
- In collaboration with Campus Living Villages and ResLife BU, SUBU Advice can provide you with supply packs,
depending on your needs. These include 7, 3 and 1-day food packs, feminine hygiene packs, personal care packs
and more. Email us to access these or visit us at our Talbot office.
Bournemouth University Financial Support
BU has a range of supportive and alternative funding available to students. Your eligibility will depend on your
personal circumstances so please read the criteria carefully and get in touch with us if you are unsure whether you
would qualify.
To view the full range of funding available via BU, visit their website.
Budgeting Advice and Money Management
SUBU Advice are accredited budgeting coaches and can sit down and discuss your financial situation to make a clear
plan for the future.
We can help by
- Listening to your situation, understanding your concerns, and exploring available options to support you.
- Identifying short, medium, and long-term solutions, including quick fixes and ways to minimise risks.
- Equipping you with financial management tools and guidance to help you confidently take control of your
finances.
Debt
If you have fallen behind with repayments, defaulted on a loan or not paid someone you owe money to then it's
important you seek advice. The Money Advice
Service, Stepchange and National Debtline are free, confidential
services that can advise you of your options. You can make a call to these services with one of our Advice Workers
who can guide you through the conversation and help you make a plan of action.
StepChange offer the widest range of practical debt solutions of any provider in the UK. They provide expert advice
either online or over the phone, and they’ll recommend a range of practical debt solutions based on your situation. Still unsure? Take that first step with
their 60 second debt test.
Great ways to save Money
Student deals and discounts:
You can access a whole range of discounts and perks with your student status whilst at university.
Travelling during your studies?
Students are eligible for the 16-25 railcard (must
be a full time student or aged 16-25) for 1/3 off their railcard, a must have if you travel via train.
Travel by coach? National Express offer 1/3 off coach travel with their Young Persons Coachcard (must be
aged 16-26, or be a full time student)
Travelling by bike? BU offer a range of discounts, courses and facilities, you can see them here.
Opening a student bank account?
Choosing the best student bank account can be difficult with a range of options and discounts or perks. We recommend
checking out the SavetheStudent advice on
this.
New to the UK? - Opening a UK bank account
For information on how to open a bank account in the UK and the steps involved, see this website.
Unfortunately criminals often target international students with scams to try to steal your money. This could be
via phone call, text or email. They may even have some of your personal information and use this to persuade
you to trust them. Please visit BU’s stay
safe online webpages to read their guidance on what to look out for. BU also have a dedicated page which
includes advice specifically for international students which can help you to avoid becoming a victim.
Alternative Financial Support
Student Overdrafts
Student overdrafts can be a useful way to access more financial support. Whilst we are not financial advisors so
cannot recommend any particular bank or service, you can check out the SaveTheStudents
webpage on this.
NHS Learning Support Fund
- If you are a student on an NHS course which started in September 2017 or after, you may be eligible for
additional NHS support from their Learning Support Fund. Part of the support the NHS offers is the Exceptional Support Fund for students facing financial difficulty. Please note if
you wish to apply for the Exceptional Support Fund, you must have applied and received a decision from
the BU Financial Support Fund first.
Trusts and Charities
- There are educational trusts and charities that could be of assistance to you. You can search for these via
the Turn2Us website.
Thinking of studying abroad?
BU offers funding through the Turing Scheme, designed to help you undertake international opportunities as part of your
studies.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you're on a
low income or out of work.
You cannot usually get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time, however there are some
exceptions.
You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time and any of the following
apply:
- you’re aged 21 or under, in full-time non-advanced
education and do not have parental support
- you’re responsible for a child
- you live with your partner and they’re eligible for Universal Credit
- you’ve reached the qualifying age for Pension
Credit and live with a partner who is under that age
- you’ve received a Migration
Notice telling you to move to Universal Credit
- you’re disabled, were assessed as having limited capability for work before starting your course, and are
getting:
- Personal Independence Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Child Disability Payment in Scotland
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
Please see the government information on Universal
Credit for more information:
Dependants & Children
As a student with a dependant, you’ll be juggling university work, family and looking after yourself. We
understand that your degree is just one part of your busy schedule and that knowing what financial support is
available can feel like a minefield. Student parents can apply for funding in addition to their Student Finance loan
to help with childcare costs and the additional costs associated with having a family. It’s important to note
that the funding available may depend on what year you started your course.
Student Finance
In addition to the Maintenance Loan, and depending on household income, some student parents are eligible to apply
for three additional grants via Student Finance. These include:
Pregnancy, maternity and paternity
- Whilst still active on your course, you can apply for the BU Financial Support Fund via AskBU and there may be
some trusts and charities that could aid as well. Check out Turn2Us to search for grants offered by trusts and charities.
- Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Maternity Allowance (MA) may be available to you, depending on your work
history. If you do not qualify for SMP then you may be able to claim MA. If you don’t qualify for
Maternity Allowance or Statutory Maternity pay and are unemployed or on a low income, you might be able to claim
Income Support whilst you’re pregnant. If you have a pregnancy-related illness and you are unable to claim
Statutory Sick Pay, then you may be eligible for Employment and Support Allowance. More information about
benefit entitlement when you are pregnant or have a baby can be found on the Money Advice Service website. The website also includes some useful money
management tools such as an interactive money timeline, money saving tips for baby shopping and managing family finances when you've had a baby.
- In addition to these benefits, some lone parents can claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant of
£500 if there are no other children aged under 16 years in the household. If you are part of a couple, you
can claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant if one of you receives a qualifying benefit. There is a deadline of
three months after the baby is born to make a claim, so familiarise yourself with the process and apply as soon
as possible.
- You may also be eligible for the Healthy
Start food vouchers and vitamins. Healthy Start provides food vouchers and
vitamins to those who are at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four years of age and you or your
family receive income support/income-based jobseekers allowance, child tax credit or universal credit.
- BU has more information about pregnancy. Also check out the STUDENT MATERNITY, ADOPTION AND PARENTS POLICY AND
PROCEDURE.