Parents’ and supporters’ guide to student living costs
From funding and accommodation to bank accounts and budgeting, there are many things your student will need to organise before arriving at university. Read our useful guide to supporting your student with their living costs.
Get familiar with Maintenance Loans
If your student is eligible for a Maintenance Loan, it will probably be their main source of money while at university. The amount your student will receive is calculated by your household income. The loan will be paid in three instalments into your student’s bank account throughout the academic year.
It often takes 5-10 working days following enrolment for Student Finance England (or the equivalent funding body) to process your student’s payment of funding. You should make sure your student has some money available for the first few weeks on campus to cover basic expenses and social activities.
Make sure funding is in place
There are a number of funding options available at Edge Hill. Our fees and funding pages outline the financial support we offer and how your student can apply for it if they are eligible. We recommend applying for financial support as early as possible as it can be a lengthy process. Applications usually open in March and close at the end of May.
We also have scholarships which recognise determination, commitment and achievement in a variety of areas. Your student may by eligible for a bursary if they are studying on a health or social work course, of if they identify with Widening Participation characteristics.
Help your student with banking and budgeting
This may be the first time your student has had to manage their finances. It’s a good idea to talk them through the basics of banking and budgeting.
Student bank accounts
Your student will need a bank or building society account so they can receive their funding. You should shop around for incentives such as interest-free overdrafts. Some student bank accounts also offer freebies such as travel discounts and free products. However, an arranged overdraft is preferable to a few tempting offers. It’s worth preparing the evidence required to open a student account, as well as checking how banks approach interest free overdrafts after graduation.
Once your student has opened an account, they will need to update Student Finance. They should give them their new bank account details so their loan can be paid into it at the beginning of each term. There are lots of guides to help your student to compare the options available, including advice from Money Saving Expert.
Budgeting
It’s a good idea to show your student how to create a manageable budget plan. They will need to consider their termly income and outgoings.
Spending planner for parents and supporters Budgeting and independent study skills supportYour student could get a TOTUM Card. This will enable them to enjoy a range of discounts, from entertainment and eating out, to supermarkets, travel, fashion, and study essentials. Find our more about student discounts.
Your student may also be eligible to take advantage of several other offers, such as free prescriptions, dental check-ups and sight tests, as well as a Young Person’s Railcard, so make sure they’re aware of the potential discounts available. Find out more about cheap travel in the North West and about travelling to our campus.
Packing and preparing to leave home
This may be the first time that your student will be living away from home. There are a few things you can help them with to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Contents insurance
Our campus offers a very safe environment, but it’s worth your student insuring their possessions for peace of mind. Many insurers offer special policies for students, so look out for these deals.
By partnering with Endsleigh, we’ve arranged contents insurance for all students staying in our halls of residence, at no cost to you or your student. It is important all students confirm their cover to ensure they understand what is and isn’t covered. Plus, your student will be entered into a prize draw, courtesy of Endsleigh.
Make sure your student visits confirm your cover to see:
- what is and what isn’t covered
- policy excess – the amount they’ll pay when they make a claim
- how they can make a claim
- personalise cover.
We understand students have a limited budget, so Endsleigh have launched brand new, unique student insurance options. They have been designed to cover potential risks whilst living in student accommodation and away from home.
Essential items
Crates and suitcases with wheels are ideal for when your student moves in. We recommend avoiding large, heavy boxes that are difficult to carry. If your student will be living in our halls of residence, they will need to bring:
- bed linen
- duvet and pillow
- towels
- crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils
- clothes hangers
- toiletries
- computer (if your student wants to have their own).
All our halls of residence besides Forest Court come equipped with a flatscreen TV/monitor that receives Freeview TV. Your student may wish to bring their own television if they will be living in Forest Court, where a flatscreen TV/monitor is not provided. To watch TV, a TV licence is required, regardless of whether watching live TV online (on any device) or viewing/downloading programmes on BBC iPlayer.
Wireless internet services are available, free of charge, across all University residential accommodation.