Sign in
Click to Search Click to Search

Internal Financial Support

This page covers money and support from St Mary’s University and the Students’ Union: the Hardship Fund, scholarships and bursaries, advice from the Student Funding Service, and help with everyday costs. Funds are limited and funding cannot be guaranteed, so ask early.

Looking for help from the government, charities or other organisations? See External support, or go back to Financial Support.

Help from St Mary’s and SMSU

Start with the Student Funding Service or SMSU Advice if you want to talk through your options before you apply for anything.

SMSU Advice team

Helps with
Talking through your situation and pointing you to the right financial help, as well as free, independent and confidential advice on academic and housing matters.
Who can use it
All St Mary’s students.
Where
The SMSU Office, K11.
Contact
Advice.smsu@stmarys.ac.uk
smsu@stmarys.ac.uk

Student Funding Service (University)

Helps with
Advice, guidance and pastoral support on all aspects of student funding: applying for Student Finance, budgeting, the cost of living, part-time and postgraduate funding, student bank accounts and the Hardship Fund.
Who can use it
All St Mary’s students.
Available
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Student Services Centre, J Building, 2nd floor.
Contact
studentfundingservice@stmarys.ac.uk
020 8240 4386

Student Funding Service Budgeting advice Cost of living support

Student Hardship Fund (University)

Helps with
Discretionary help for students facing severe, unforeseen financial difficulty. The University says the fund reopens in October 2026, so check its page for the current status.
Who can use it
UK and Irish students on full-time or part-time undergraduate courses, and PGCE students who do not receive a teacher training bursary. Priority goes to students with dependants, mature students, disabled students, final-year students, students who are homeless or from Foyers, and care-experienced or estranged students. You will need to show evidence of your hardship, and awards are not guaranteed.
How to apply
Read the guidance notes, then complete the online application form and choose “Hardship Fund”.
Contact
studentfundingservice@stmarys.ac.uk

Hardship Fund and how to apply Guidance notes (PDF)

Scholarships and bursaries (University)

Helps with
The St Mary’s Scholarship Scheme offers a range of bursaries and scholarships for eligible students, including the St Mary’s Cares Bursary, PGCE bursaries, a Sport Coaching Bursary and a Widening Participation Bursary.
Good to know
You can usually only receive one scholarship or bursary per student record, except the St Mary’s Cares Bursary. Funding cannot be guaranteed, even if you apply. Check the University page regularly for updates and deadlines.

Scholarships and bursaries at St Mary’s More on internal support

Care-experienced, estranged and young adult carer students (University)

Helps with
Designated points of contact who give advice and guidance before you join, while you study and as you prepare for life after graduation, and can link you to other University support. Students in these groups may be eligible for a range of financial support, including the St Mary’s Cares Bursary.
Contact
Student Funding Service, 020 8240 4386

St Mary’s Cares Young adult carers

Food and everyday costs (University)

Helps with
The Refectory’s Pay it Forward scheme lets students who cannot afford a meal have one free, and other students can donate to it. The University’s cost of living page also lists campus jobs, free sanitary products in campus toilets, no library fines, travel savings, energy tips and discounts.
Jobs
Search and apply for campus and part-time jobs on CareerConnect, or email careers@stmarys.ac.uk.

Cost of living support CareerConnect Student discounts with TOTUM

Council Tax exemption and other letters (University)

Helps with
Households where everyone is a full-time student do not pay Council Tax. You can request your exemption letter, and other letters such as a bank account request letter, on the University’s E-Vision portal. If you receive a bill, send the letter to your local council and quote your account reference.
Good to know
If you live in University halls you do not need to register with the council or provide a letter, because halls are exempt. For private housing in Richmond, Kingston or Wandsworth, the University confirms your full-time status with the council directly.
Contact
Problems getting your letter: registryservices@stmarys.ac.uk

Council Tax exemption letters

More on the University website

Questions

Who can apply for the Hardship Fund?

The University’s page lists UK and Irish students on full-time or part-time undergraduate courses, and PGCE students who do not receive a teacher training bursary. You will need to show evidence of severe financial hardship. Read the guidance notes before you apply, and contact the Student Funding Service if you are not sure whether you qualify.

Hardship Fund

I am estranged from my family or I am care-experienced.

If you are under 25, have no contact with your parents and support yourself, you may be able to get extra help from Student Finance England. St Mary’s also gives priority for the Hardship Fund to care-experienced and estranged students, and offers the St Mary’s Cares Bursary and a named contact in the Student Funding Service.

St Mary’s Cares

I am an international student. Who do I ask?

The Hardship Fund page lists UK and Irish students, so ask the Student Funding Service what else may be available to you. The University’s international team can also help.

International team: international.enquiries@stmarys.ac.uk, +44 (0)20 7096 5787.

International fees and funding at St Mary’s · External support for international students

Can I get a student discount on everyday spending?

Yes. TOTUM is the student discount membership we work with, with discounts and cashback at hundreds of brands.

Student discounts with TOTUM

Information about University services comes from the University website and was checked on 17 October 2026. Funds and deadlines can change, so always check the University page for the latest. If any detail is wrong, please tell us at smsu@stmarys.ac.uk.