How the university can help you save money – Money Week 2023

We all need to make our money stretch that bit further right now and the university is committed to offering practical support to help ease the burden. We don’t want you to miss out, so read on to find out what’s on offer.

Financial Support

We have changed our assessment methods to ensure more students qualify for the Student Support Fund which is the main hardship fund. Eligibility criteria and application process for all  the university applied to funds can be found here: hardship funding

The Office for Students (OfS) has recently announced that universities will be given a financial contribution to help students experiencing financial difficulties. This is in addition to the funds we already have in place.  We are looking at ways in which we can use this money most effectively and we’ll make an announcement by the end of March 2023 about how this additional grant will be allocated and how you can apply for it.

Most students eligible to receive a university bursary will have already received their first payment. However, if you have recently been reassessed for full funding or become estranged from your family, please email the Student Advice team so we can check your current situation.

There are emergency one-day unlimited use bus tickets held at the Student Information Desks on each campus as well as at Varley and Great Wilkins Halls, so please ask if you need one.

USE OUR ENERGY

Save money on your heating and water bills by making use of heated study and social spaces on campus and use our showers for free. You are also welcome to charge devices on campus.

FOOD

The Pantry provides University of Brighton students with access to FREE non-perishable food and toiletries at these locations:

• City, Grand Parade – outside BSU offices
• Falmer – Ringmer House
• Eastbourne – Greynore
• Moulsecoomb – outside the BSU Support office on the mezzanine floor of Cockcroft

For privacy, the Pantry areas will be left open for you to access anytime. You do not need to let anyone know if you want to use it.

All campus cafes, food hubs and some SU spaces have microwaves, where you can heat up your own food. More microwaves are being installed at the Mezz restaurant in Cockcroft, Sprinters and Greynore restaurants in Eastbourne, the Hive and Westlain restaurant in Falmer and Book n Bean cafe at City campus. And as if by magic, we have got some microwaveable dishes to win at the roadshow tombola, so come along to one the stalls detailed below.

Our cafes also reduce the price of perishable items in the afternoons and/or give away unsold food at the end of the day.

If you need a referral for a local foodbank, we can help with this.

HELP WITH FINDING A JOB

Our Careers team can offer one-to-one support with job-hunting through Careers Connect

STUDENT ADVICE SERVICE

If you are struggling with finances, unclear what you’re entitled to or want help with budgeting please contact us: studentadvice@brighton.ac.uk or 01273 642888

For helpful and informative tips to make your money go further, subscribe to our blog Money Matters

Finally, look out for us on campus this week – ask a question or share a money-saving tip…. and win a prize. Here’s where we’ll be this week:

• Tuesday 7th March – Checkland atrium, Falmer 12 – 2
• Wednesday 8th March – Book n Bean, Greynore building, Eastbourne 12 – 2
• Wednesday 8th March – outside Aldrich library, Moulsecoomb 12 – 2
• Thursday 9th March – Atrium gallery, Grand Parade building, City campus 12 – 2
• Friday 10th March – Sprinters restaurant, Eastbourne 12 – 2