Funding for Clearing students

Once you have secured your place through Clearing, you can make sure your finances are sorted too. With the start of term just a few weeks away, it's important to get your funding organised as soon as you can.

If you have already applied for student finance

If you have already applied, you need to update your student finance account with your new university and course.

Please note that it is very important that your student finance application lists the correct university. If not, your registration will not be confirmed and your loan payments will be delayed.

You can update your details by logging into your online account with your student finance provider. Use the links below to find more information on how to make changes through your online account:

• Student Finance England - Their Updating your student finance application video gives a step by step guide to updating your account
• Student Finance Wales - Change of circumstances
• Student Awards Agency Scotland - Change details
• Student Finance Northern Ireland - Changes to your information

It is best to update your account as soon as possible because it can take a number of weeks for your funding body to process this change. For the University to confirm your Registration (which triggers your first funding payment) your account must be up to date with the correct university. This is because your information will not be sent through to York St John until you have updated your account and the change has been processed.

If you have not applied for student finance before

If you have not already applied you need to apply as soon as possible to your student finance provider. It can take up to 6 weeks to assess an application so apply as soon as you can.

• Student Finance England
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance Northern Ireland
• Student Awards Agency for Scotland

You will need to create an account and complete an application online. Once you have submitted your application, check your student finance account regularly for any updates or evidence requests.

You can get additional support if you have a disability or a child or adult who is dependent on you. Check what support is available on the gov.uk extra help page.

Although the University and your funding provider will process your application as fast as possible, it is likely you will not have your funding in time for the start of your course. You need to make sure you have money available for your living costs until you have received your funding.

Managing your funding

To help you manage your funding, we have an award winning online financial wellbeing tool called Blackbullion. It is a learning platform that helps you develop financial confidence and empowers better decision making. It helps with navigating student finance and budgeting skills, planning pensions and learning about investing. It consists of mini online videos so that you can learn at your own pace. They focus on financial skills you will use forever. Best of all, it's free for you to use, even before you arrive on campus.

Blackbullion also have a money manager app, which helps you create your own budget, get spending insights and saving suggestions, and manage your money with confidence. The more you use the app, the more bullions you will be rewarded with. These can be exchanged for prizes.

• Register on Blackbullion
• Download Blackbullion Money Manager on the iOS App Store
• Download Blackbullion Money Manager on the Google Play Store

You can open a student bank account with an interest free overdraft which can help you with your living costs until your first loan instalment is paid. We would advise that you shop around because banks will offer an incentive to open an account with them. A good website to use to compare bank accounts is Money Saving Expert because they have dedicated information for students.

Now is also a good time to start thinking about part time jobs to supplement your income. Our Careers team can support you with this. They have links with businesses around York and advertise jobs year-round. The following resources will help you to enhance your chances of securing a job:

• Application Theory (YouTube): Develop your CV, cover letter and application writing skills. These will increase your chance at securing an interview.
• Career planner (Prospects website): If you are unsure about what kind of jobs you should apply for, input your skills, motivations and desires to find out which roles are most suited to you.
• Log in to Handshake: You can also send your CV to careers@yorksj.ac.uk to get feedback, or book a careers appointment with our Careers Advisers to discuss your CV.

We recommend that you do not work more than 15 hours per week during term time so that it does not impact on your studies. 

We are here to help

Our Student Funding Advice team are on hand to help you.

They can provide extra information, advice or guidance on your funding options. You can contact them by emailing fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.