Your finances
Cost of living support
How we are helping our students to manage the cost of living, including money-saving tips from our Funding Advice team.
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As rising inflation and interest rates affect living costs, it is more important than ever to be in control of your money.
On this page, you'll find resources and tips to help you manage your budget. We've also introduced a range of measures to ease financial pressures on students and increase support throughout the academic year.
Support from York St John University
The YSJ Student Support Fund provides financial support to students experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.
The University have increased investment in this Fund and has amended the application assessment to ensure more students can receive financial support from the University.
The University has increased the provision of low-cost catering on campus to reduce student living expenses.
Our Students' Union and Sport Union support around 50 different sports clubs and societies. To make sure that finances are not a barrier to participation in sport or extracurricular activities, the University has:
- Introduced a 30% subsidy for all sport membership fees for those joining or renewing
- Introduced a flat £10 fee for all society membership fees for those joining or renewing
Many students need to pay fees for professional memberships and costs associated with voluntary work placements, such as DBS checks.
Over the next academic year, the University will provide a budget to cover the cost of these fees.
Information on how to apply will be shared by relevant tutors or course leaders.
Easier access to more financial support from the YSJ Student Support Fund
- TFL and National rail discounts
- Discounts for students in the food shop on campus
- Funding to cover the cost of professional memberships and fees
- Ethical sanitary products provided for free in toilets
Coming soon:
- Supermarket food vouchers for students
- Microwave on campus for student use
The University is supplying ethical sanitary products in toilets around campus for students to take for free when needed.
Last year, the University removed the £55 fee for exam resits.
- The Students' Union cost of living campaign. For example, How to make the most of your food shop.
- Money saving events on campus.
- Access to Blackbullion.
- Access to Handshake for part time jobs.
- Access to heated study and social spaces on campus.
- Library remains open as a warm space and to provide access to IT equipment, specialist software and kitchen.
Tips for managing your budget
Food
Don't eat your way through your income. We see more and more students using food delivery services on regular basis which are convenient but can be very expensive, especially if you are using them a few times a week.
The thought of cooking all the time can be overwhelming when you haven't done this before. We recommend the free app from NOSH Books. It gives you affordable, easy menu ideas and easy to follow shopping lists.
Here are some other useful links to help with food planning, shopping and cooking:
- Save the student
- Money Saving Expert
- The Association of UK Dietitians - Eat well, spend less: food fact sheet
Help from York St John
York St John and the Students' Union offer deals and facilities to help with your living costs:
- Hot water is available free of charge from all catering outlets when you bring your own travel cup
- Introduction of Monthly Meal Deals
- Look out for the introduction of loyalty cards
- The Student Kitchen in the Fountains Centre has 2 microwaves and a hot water tap, perfect for making a cup of tea and heating up your lunch! An additional hot water tap is located on the Ground Floor of the Fountains Centre on the left-hand side near the vending machines.
The Students' Union have also created some really useful tips on how to make the most of your food shop. Read more on the Students' Union website.
Soup-er Space
Every Tuesday, 12.00pm to 1.00pm
LaunchPad
York St John Chaplaincy offers a safe, quiet place to grab some free food and have a chat.
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Travel
York is good to travel around on foot or on bike due to the location of the York campus being within the city centre. If you are travelling by bike, the University has over 300 bikes racks located across campus offering both open and closed facilities.
If you need to use public transport, there are several bus companies that service York. They offer discounted student tickets. Please check the individual bus company websites for more information.
The University has more information on commuting and how to save money on our dedicated page for commuting students.
Health
If you do have a low income, you could be eligible for the NHS Low Income Scheme. This can help with paying for NHS prescription charges. Read more about this scheme on the NHS website.
You can also save money on NHS prescriptions with the NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate.
Utility bills
If you pay for water, gas and electricity on top of your rent, there are some simple things you can do to reduce your usage. Making small changes will help towards saving money on your bills. In your accommodation, try the following:
- Wear the right clothing for the temperature of your room - when it's a bit cold wrap up more, and when it's warm take layers off.
- Don't have the heating on unnecessarily, and don't have windows open when the heating is on.
- Turn lights off when they're not needed.
The Energy Saving Trust has quick and easy ways to save energy, lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
The Students' Union have also created an information page for Utility bills and tenancy agreement advice.
Due to the rise in the price energy some of the energy suppliers have created an energy fund that you can apply to for extra support. Visit your provider's website for more information.
