Supporting you through the Cost of Living crisis
We understand the Cost of Living crisis is affecting many students across campus, and as your Students' Union, we want to ensure that you have the right support available during your time here at St Mary's.
University Hardship Funds
What is it?
The Student hardship fund provides support with day-to-day living costs to students in financial difficulty or unexpected financial crisis. To apply, you must have taken out all other funding available to you (such as student loans). Each application requires some supporting evidence and is assessed on an individual basis.
Who is eligible?
Only UK undergraduate and PGCE students are eligible.
How does it work?
A cash payment is made directly to the student.
How to apply
You can apply by clicking here.
Student Engagement Fund
What is it?
The student engagement fund provides support for the cost of extracurricular activities and some course-associated costs. The fund typically supports bids up to £175 for costs including:
- DBS checks associated with a course
- Compulsary and supplementary course costs (such as course kit, equipment, first aid training etc).
- Costs associated with a course trip
- Club and society membership fees
- Gym membership
- Sporting equipment - such as wearable technology, items needed to play the sport, digital tech watches etc.
- University social events
- Discretionary/occasional travel costs, where appropriate
Who is eligible?
Undergraduate/PGCE students from the UK/Ireland only.
How does it work?
Funding decisions are made by a panel which meets fortnightly. Payments will be made either directly to the student or to the relevant university department.
How to apply?
To apply, you will need to complete the application form here. As part of your application, you will need to write a personal statement explaining your need for the fund. To be successful you must also be able to demonstrate that you are in financial need.
SU Gender Expression Fund
What is it?
The Gender Expression Fund exists to support students who wish to access funding to enable them to express themselves in the gender that best fits their gender identity.
You can be awarded a maximum of £50 to support with these costs, examples include binders and gender-affirming clothing.
Who is eligible?
To recieve funding:
- You must be a current student at St Mary's University
- You must provide receipts or an itemised list of items you wish to purchase
How to apply
You can apply by filling out this form.
Hampton Fund
What is it?
A charity that provides grants to help with Fuel Bills and Essential Household items. They can also support parents with schooling costs (i.e. school uniform).
Who is eligible?
Students on a low income living in Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick, Teddington, Twickenham or Whitton.
How to apply?
You can apply by clicking here.
Disabled Students Allowance
If you’re a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability you may be eligible to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) to cover some of the extra costs you incur.
For more information, contact the university disability and dyslexia service by follow this link here.
Student Loans
You may be eligible able for loans to cover your tuition and living expenses while at university. More information is available on the GOV.UK website.
For support and advice in applying for student loans, please contact the student funding service or SMSU advice service (Details below).
Student Funding Service
What is the Student Funding Service?
The student funding service is based in Student Services (J Building, top floor) - it offers advice and support on all areas of student funding.
What support can they offer me?
The service can help with budgeting and money management, applying for hardship funding, student loans, scholarships/bursaries, council tax, debt, gambling issues and student bank accounts.
How do I contact the service?
You can email, phone or drop into Student Services to arrange and appointment.
studentfundingservice@stmarys.ac.uk
Mon-Fri, 10am - 4pm
SMSU Advice Service
Our student advisor offers free, confidential and impartial support for a range of issues, including issues paying tuition fees and applications for financial support.
You can contact our Student Advisor, Christopher, by emailing him on smsu.advice@stmarys.ac.uk.
Careers Service
The University Careers service can provide career advice, CV writing support and mock interviews to help you find a part-time job at university. Appointments can be delivered face-to-face, via zoom or via phone. To find out more and book an appointment, please click here.
Part-time jobs listings
The university careers service lists part-time job opportunities on the St Mary's Careers portal.
https://careers.stmarys.ac.uk/
For further support finding part-time jobs, book an appointment with the university careers service.
16-25 Railcard
All full-time students are eligible for a 16-25 railcard, providing 1/3 off rail fares across the UK.
https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/
18+ Student Oyster Photocard
Students living in London may be eligible for a student oyster photocard, providing discounts on travelcards and bus/tram season tickets.
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/18-plus-student-oyster-photocard
Young-Persons Coachcard
All full-time students are eligible for a National Express Young Person’s coach card, giving 1/3 off coach travel across the UK.
https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/offers/coachcards/young-person
TOTUM
You can join TOTUM for free, giving you access to hundreds of discounts and offers, just by proving you're a St Marys student. Download the app and start saving!
Find out more and get your TOTUM card here!
Student Art Pass
For £10, the student art pass provides free or discounted entry to museums, art galleries and historic buildings across the UK. Only available to UK students, until 10th December.
- Tea and coffee, microwaves and hot water are available for all students, free of charge from the commuter lounge – located behind the refectory
- The Refectory, Dolce Vita Café and Naylor Café all offer discounts on hot drinks when you bring a re-usable cup. Many high-street chains offer similar discounts.
- If your train is delayed, you may be entitled to receive money back as compensation. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/help-and-assistance/compensation-and-refunds/
- The Richmond furniture scheme, a local charity, offers second-hand furniture for reduced prices.
- Banks often offer free cash or rewards when opening student bank accounts – make sure you shop around when choosing one.
- Buy advance train tickets - advance train tickets are often significantly cheaper than tickets bought on the day.
- Check out these energy saving tips to help save money on your energy bills.
- Check if you have free prescriptions - if you have lots of prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC).
- Make sure you're signed up to supermarket loyalty schemes (clubcard, nectar card etc) to save money on your grocery shop. Consider switching to cheaper own-brand items.
- There are FREE shower facilities in Sport St Mary's building.
If you have any tips of your own you think we should add to the list, please get in touch by emailing smsu@stmarys.ac.uk.
SU Gender Expression Fund
What is it?
The Gender Expression Fund exists to support students who wish to access funding to enable them to express themselves in the gender that best fits their gender identity.
You can be awarded a maximum of £50 to support with these costs, examples include binders and gender-affirming clothing.
Who is eligible?
To recieve funding:
- You must be a current student at St Mary's University
- You must provide receipts or an itemised list of items you wish to purchase
How to apply
You can apply by filling out this form.
Digital Equity Scheme
What Is It?
A scheme which provides laptops, headphones and wi-fi dongles on a long-term loan basis (typically one semester).
Who is eligible?
UK undergraduate or UK PGCE students who live off-campus
How does it work?
Students fill in an application form. If successful, students can then collect their IT equipment from the St Mary's Library. Equipment is typically loaned for one semester, however loans can be renewed if necessary.
How to apply?
Fill in the form on this page.
If you require further support with your application, please contact the SU advice service (details above).
