We're here for you

If you need some guidance, or experience any issues with finances or living costs, our Student Support Advisers can offer advice and support on:

• funding for full and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses
• university bursaries and scholarships
• applying for hardship funds including digital poverty hardship support
• assistance available in the local community

Getting early financial advice can help put you on the right track and give you peace of mind - so get in touch with our friendly advisers or come for a chat at one of our face-to-face or virtual drop-in.

Additional hardship funding for the cost of living

The University has received further hardship funding from the Office for Students to support you with the cost of living. This temporary boost to the discretionary hardship funds will be available for not only home students, but for EU and international students as well. 

New Wellbeing Café

Come along and meet the Student Support Team for advice on finance and wellbeing as well as enjoy a free cuppa and some biscuits. Every Thursday at 2pm- 4.30pm in the Food Court - if you want a chat or have any questions. 

Private renting support and advice

If you're private renting, then your bills are likely to be one of your highest outgoings each month, and you might be feeling the strain of this due to the cost of living. So here is some advice and support to help you during this time.

Student Money Adviser

Starting this February, the Student Wellbeing Advisers will be hiring a new specialist Student Money Adviser. This person will be here to support you with specific queries around managing your money, accessing funds, budgeting advice and more.

We want to hear from you

Christ Church Students' Union want to understand how the cost of living crisis is affecting you personally and are looking for students to complete this survey. And as a thank you, they'll send you a £3 food voucher for The Lounge or The Deep End to use during February. The survey closes 31 Jan 2023 so please pass this on to fellow students so we can get their views too.

Helping you save and make money 

This winter we're saying goodbye to library fines, launching a new series of 'How to Make Money' workshops and highlighting ways to earn while you learn to help support you in making and saving money at university. 

Say goodbye to library fines

As part of our commitment to supporting you during the cost of living crisis, the Library and Learning Resources Team have worked in collaboration with The University of Kent and The University of Greenwich to introduce the policy to no longer charge fines on overdue items, as we believe there should be no financial barriers for students accessing our collections. This means the change will be in place for all our students, including those using the Drill Hall Library at Medway and our KMMS students.

Single bus journeys are capped at £2 until 31 March 2023!

You can take a single journey and never pay more than £2 under a new temporary scheme. The Bus Fare Cap Grant scheme is a Government funded scheme being introduced on most single (including Child and Student) bus journeys across England from 1 January 2023 until 31 March 2023 and includes Stagecoach and Arriva. However, don’t forget to check out our discounts for public bus transport which could still work out cheaper!

How to Make Money Workshops

Whether you are planning to freelance, become self-employed, start your own business or develop your side hustle we can help you take the next steps. The Careers and Enterprise Team “How to make money” workshops start on 8 February every Wednesday, for eight weeks at the Students’ Union Lounge. The workshops cover how to start a business, build your confidence, manage your finance and the marketing basics. Places are limited so book now.

Earn while you learn

We're continuing to highlight the many opportunities to earn while you learn at university. Whether that's being a student ambassador, finding part-time work through Unitemps, being part of the Student Green Office or as an Arts & Culture Intern - there are plenty of ways to gain skills, meet new people, be an active part of the community, and earn money while at university. The Careers and Enterprise Team are here to help you with job applications for part-time roles and more.

Career Development Fund

If you are looking to undertake a career development opportunity but finding it financially difficult to do so, then you may be eligible to benefit from the Career Development Fund. From travel costs to attending conferences, and specialist software to suitable workwear - there are lots of ways you can utilise the bursaries to help you gain work experience and gain skills for your chosen career path. 

Graduating students

If you are graduating this year, we are pleased to confirm that Canterbury Christ Church University will fund 50% of your gown hire if you do so through the University’s preferred supplier Ede and Ravenscroft. The prices that will show on the portal have already been adjusted to reflect the discount.

Ways to come together as a community

There will be more opportunities to come together as a community this winter. Find out the range of events happening over the coming weeks, and be inspired to get involved.

Wellbeing Café

As well as the popular regular events such as Tea at Three and Chooseday Chill, this month the Student Support Team is introducing a new Wellbeing Café held every Thursday in the Food Court from 2pm. 

Tea & Toasty

Café 41, next to The Lounge, has now been given a makeover to make the space even more inviting! The warm hub is now called Tea & Toasty, and will continue to be a place to go to grab a free hot drink and soup, but also an event space to help bring the community together. Christ Church SU will be launching another series of Tea & Toasty takeovers, as well as hosting Careers & Enterprise workshops to help build your skills and connect with the team. 

Supporting you with the cost of living

Don't forget to keep exploring the Cost of Living Hub - as this will continue to be updated with the latest guidance and initiatives. Here you can find information on financial advice from the Student Wellbeing Services and external providers, ways to come together as a community over a free hot drink and conversation, and opportunities to earn while you learn and save money.