Going to university

Student loans
Student loans can take a large burden off the cost of going to university. You won't need to repay the loan until you’ve finished your studies and are earning enough to do so.

You can apply for a loan that will just cover the cost of tuition fees, or for a larger one that will contribute to your living expenses as well. The Student Loans Company can give advice about the type of loan to suit you.

Grants and allowances
Depending on your financial circumstances (taking into account your family's household income), you may be eligible for a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. This will contribute towards accommodation and other living costs, and won't need to be paid back.

Extra allowances are also available for people with disabilities (including specific learning difficulties) as well as for students who have children or adult dependants.

Bursaries, scholarships and awards
Your university or college can offer extra financial help in the form of a bursary. This might be an amount paid directly to your bank account, or a discount on your accommodation costs. Publicly funded universities charging full tuition fees must give you a bursary if you receive the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant.

Many universities, colleges, charities and educational trusts offer different types of scholarships and awards. These can be awarded for exceptional talents or academic achievements, and the amount may be based on your household income. It's worth asking your university or college what's available to apply for.

You don't have to pay money back from a bursary, scholarship or award.

Access to Learning Fund
If you're in hardship and need extra support to fund student life, the Access to Learning Fund may help. Provided through your university or college, this will take into account your individual circumstances. It will assess whether you need financial support for costs not already covered by other grants. These costs could include childcare, support over vacation periods if friends and family cannot help, and emergency costs such as essential household repairs.

How else can you fund your studies?
You may be lucky enough to receive cash from your parents. An alternative way to boost your bank balance, as well as your CV, is to get a part-time job. This could fit around your term-time schedule of studying and socialising, or you could do full-time temporary work during the holidays.

Bank on it
Many high-street banks will try to attract students with free overdrafts, special offers and discounts on shops and services. Do your research on different types of student bank accounts before settling on one that best suits your finances in the long term. For example, an account charging a lower Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on loans may be better overall than those offering gimmicks during freshers' week.

Do the sums
The cost of student life soon mounts up, so it's important to estimate your expenses before deciding on where to study and live. Doing the sums will help you decide what type of financial support to apply for.

Here are some areas to budget for:

• Tuition fees: You usually pay these in one or more instalments. If you need help to pay them, contact your local education authority for advice.
• Household costs: How much you pay will depend on location and the type of digs you choose. Halls of residence usually charge an all-inclusive fee that covers rent, cleaning, electricity etc and also some of your meals. Alternatively, you might decide to live in a shared flat where each tenant pays a fair share towards the cost of rent and bills. As a full-time student you will be eligible either for a discount on, or exemption from, council tax.
• Study essentials: Textbooks, stationery, computer equipment and photocopying all come at a price, but keep an eye out for special discounts offered by retail outlets, especially at the beginning of the autumn term. Also, find out whether your university offers free or subsidised photocopying and equipment.
• Travel: Take into account the cost of travelling around town or visiting family and friends. If you travel by train, think about investing in a Young Person's Railcard to benefit from fare discounts. If you're travelling abroad, it's a good idea to get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which entitles you to thousands of discounts worldwide.
• Living costs: We're talking groceries, clothes, mobile phones and everything else you couldn’t live without. You may be entitled to help towards healthcare costs, such as prescription charges, eye tests and dental checks, so ask your student union or healthcare centre. Set aside some money for nights out on the town, and remember that many places offer discounts to students with an NUS card.