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Most students have to manage on a low income, so planning a budget early should help avoid running out of money and getting into financial difficulty. The Students’ Union Advice Centre can help. This guide should point you in the right direction and you can always come to see us if you want to discuss your situation further or require more assistance. Maximising Your Income The first thing to do is to make sure you are receiving the funding that you are entitled to:
 

1. Undergraduate Student Support: Most ‘home students’ should be entitled to some ‘statutory support’ from the Government. You may have your tuition fees paid for you (Tuition Fee Loan), be eligible for a student loan (Maintenance Loan) or extra grants if you have children. You can now apply online at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
    
2. Postgraduate Funding: There is no statuatory student support for postgraduate study. Most postgrads are self-funding, but there are a number of options you can further explore; Research Councils:All the research councils consider funding for individual postgraduates. You need to contact the relevant council directly for more information. You will have to compete for research council funding, and getting a place on a postgraduate programme does not entitle you to an award.
   
   There are eight councils in total, more information can be found at http://www.rcuk.ac.uk Career Development Loans: These are loans which may be applied for through three main high street banks (Barclays, Co-op and the Royal Bank of Scotland). Visit each ones to compare their pros and cons. Between £300-£8,000 may be borrowed for the cost of postgraduate study. For more information ring the Career Development Info line on 0800 100 900 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/cdl.
   
   If you are studying Teaching or Social Work, there is extensive statutory funding available, contact the following for further info: For Initial Teacher Training contact the Training and Development Agency on 0845 6000 991 or email teaching@ttainfo.co.uk visit www.tda.gov.uk For Social Work students, contact the Social Work Bursary info line on 0845 610 1122 (10am-12noon, 2pm-4pm).
    
3. Part-Time Funding: If you study part-time at least 60 credits per year (i.e. the equivalent of half a full-time course), you may be entitled to a small grant and to have your tuition fees paid. How much you receive depends on how intensive your course is. Apply for funding on a PTG1 form from Student Finance England or ring the info line on 0845 300 5090 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
    
4. International Students: There is no statutory funding for International Students, apart from tuition fee support for EU undergraduates. Options to explore include; Funder Finder in the Careers Service (3rd floor of University House), various charities and trusts, the British Council Learning website http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-study-in-the-uk.htm
    
5. EU Students: For EU undergraduates, tuition fee loans are available up to £3,290 regardless of your income. This is repayable after you leave the University and are earning the equivalent of £15,000 per year, adjusted for cost of living. To apply: complete the application from www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance EU students may also apply for University of Hull Scholarships and Bursaries (see the section on Other Funding Options) It is essential to make sure you apply for what you are entitled to as most funding has deadlines for application.