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Student MoneySaving

Discuss tuition fees, student loans and grants here - and share MoneySaving deals, tips and tricks to help you spend less at university.

Help With accommodation Debt?!
Good afternoon, I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding student accommodation fees. This seems to be an odd case really as in the normal circumstances one would sign a contract before moving into the property, flat or studio. However in this case no contract was signed. It's worth mentioning that I did stay with the…
Free Delivery Code: The Unibox for Students
Free shipping (1 month) at The Unibox monthly subscription box for university and college students. Valid against any subscription option. Use coupon code UNISHIP1 https://theunibox.com/
Have you been harassed by Student Finance?
I have this last month and wondered if anyone else has dealt with this. Here's my story...In the last 30 days I have received 8 pieces of correspondence from SFE. Urging me to update my details, sending me a fine letter (£1800) and sending several letters in the post and several emails. All because I am going traveling for…
Student laptop advice
Hi I've posted this on the techie thread as well, but thought someone here might be able to offer insight/experience. My daughter starts 6th form in Sept, at present she has an ipad and uses my laptop when needed. I think she's going to need something of her own so have been looking at what's available. TBH a bit shocked…
Sorting student bills... !
Hi there, I am a student who already has 3 bank accounts and am currently using them for different needs. Next year I will have to be responsible for sorting bills with my flatmates in our rented accommodation and was told the best way to do this is to set up another basic account from which they can transfer bills etc. to…
Leaving home
My son leaves home next month for his second year at uni. He wants me to insure his PC as it is going with him. Value is about £3000.00. Any ideas about insuring one item? Thanks.
Not allowed to pay the remaining balance of student loan
Got a letter today mentioning that I am close to repaying the student loan. It gives me a choice to pay the remaining balance in full or pay the remaining balance by a monthly direct debit. I chose to pay the remaining balance so I called up. The advisor mentioned that I'm not allowed and can do it it by a monthly direct…
Uni books for course
Himall,I’ve been given recommended reading books needed for my course starting in September. Looking up the books I’m shocked to see some +£100. Stupid question so please forgive me. But if I’ve been recommended for example 7 th edition of a book and I find a 6 or 5 th edition of that book for a quarter of the price do you…
Student benefits
Apart from council tax exemption, what other help and benefits can students get whilst at university?
Parental maintenance loan contribution if living abroad
Hi - just trying to understand the rules about household income if one parent lives abroad. Is this ex pat income still counted as ‘household income’ - the children will be living away for uni and going back to their uk home at non term time. I’m getting confusing messages from student finance. Just don’t want to get…
Fee increase
Can a university increase its yearly fee on your last year of study? Does anyone know?
Student loan when you have lived abroad
Hey I was wondering if anyone could advise. I was surprised to be told over the phone today that I was not eligible for student finance as I had worked abroad for 8 months within the last three years. The reason I rang was I had received a letter with incorrect details asking for proof I was abroad on a temporary contract…
HSBC Student Account
If you are a mature student who already has a bank account HSBC are refusing to set up a student account. They then send you leaflet inferring that it's to do with Credit Scoring / References & Fraud Prevention which isn't true as I'm not looking for loans etc (Rather the opposite)...
SLC refusing year 1 uni tuition fee loan
Hi My son stayed at school one year to 17 doing A levels but decided after lower sixth he wanted to leave. So he got a job and worked for 2 years. Then he decide to go to FE college to do a BTEC extended diploma in sport coaching. This course takes 2 years but you can still get some kind of award if you stop after year 1.…
Best way to help when child is in financial crisis
Hi So, she’s gone and done it. Got herself into debt, too proud to ask for help but has got to robbing Peter to pay Paul. She works around her studies. A harsh talk and reality check leaves us clearing her excess debt and arranged a sensible payment schedule so that the money is repaid. Lessons need to be learned and we…
Help! How to show my Working Holiday is temporary for SFE?
Has anyone else had problems with the ordinary residence requirements for Student Finance when you've been abroad on a Working Holiday? Few months ago I submitted evidence of my temporary absences overseas, most recently a Working Holiday in Japan (where I'm still currently at and will return on 29th August). I submitted…
Postgraduate Student Bank Accounts?
Hi! See title. My question is about becoming a postgrad student in the next month or so. Not sure on the answer to this one so hopefully some postgrads here can help me out :) Do banks consider you as a "Year 1" student on a postgraduate course, or "Year 5" (4 years of Scottish undergrad + the postgrad)? I was going to…
When does the academic year start?
My eldest has applied for student finance as an independent student as they will be 25 on 4th September. SLC have now said that the academic year starts on 1st September and therefore they will only be 24 so don't class as an independent student. I can't find anywhere that defines the academic year start date on SLC. The…
As an ex student nurse with just over £8K student loan . Is it worth me paying it back early ?
Hi , Should I try and repay my loan early?? I was a student nurse , so did not have a loan for fees and just graduated ,my balance is £8,341.As a starting nurse I earn just over 21K so now I am getting charged 3% plus the RPI . I am 48 so 20 years until retirement . :Martin Lewis says that students should not worry as they…
SF Wales Help Please
I'm planning ahead for my daughter's SL Finance Wales application for next year and need some help please. 1. Am I right in thinking that our household income for 2017/18 Is relevant for 2019/20 unit entry? 2. I'm self employed and made a loss in that year and took no wages . Does this count as a minus against my husband's…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Student MoneySaving

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