We know that the right information and guidance can help manage financial worries. Whether that's speaking to our Student Support Advisers or being aware of available support, we're here for you.
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Speak to the Student Support Advisers
If you need some guidance, or experience any issues with finances or living costs, our Student Support Advisers can offer information 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
They also offer guidance about:
- budgeting and money management (including student banking)
- how to make your student budget stretch as far as possible
- ideas for saving
Getting early financial guidance 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.
Hardship Support
If you find yourself in extreme financial difficulties during your studies, there are two funds which you can apply for to receive additional support – the Access to Learning Fund (which provides discretionary financial assistance for UK students to access and remain in higher education) and the Exceptional Support Fund (a discretionary fund to help students who find themselves in extreme financial hardship during their studies). These hardship funds are accessed through the Student Support Advisers within the Student Wellbeing Services.
To apply for any of the hardship funds, please meet with a Student Support Adviser who can advise and assist you with your application.
Payment by CCCU Aspire
Most financial support payments for students will be made via CCCU Aspire.
For students who are issued a cash award, paying funds into their bank account couldn’t be easier. Students will receive an email from student.info@CCCU-Aspire.co.uk advising them of the funding made to them with full instructions on how to access these funds. The student can then pay their funds into their bank account of choice and the funds usually transfer instantly but could take up to 2 hours.
Please note that this does not include payments made directly via the Student Loan Company including the CCCU Grant and Student Care Leaver's Bursary.
Support for our placement students
We are working with our Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care and Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education to provide our placement students with advice on budgeting for travel costs. Please check in with your course teams to find out what support is available for you.
Spectrum.Life Money Management Module
Spectrum Life has an online module on Money Management including tips on budgeting, tackling debt and how to manage the rising cost of living.
Register now to the Spectrum.Life platform and mobile app by clicking https://cccu.spectrum.life/login?org=CCCU and using your Canterbury Christ Church email address. You can download the app by searching for "Spectrum.Life" in your Google Play or Apple Store.
Save the Student
Save the Student are an external organisation that provide free, impartial advice to students on how to make their money go further through helpful advice and latest deals.
NASMA's Student Money Matters Magazine
National Association of Student Money Advisers are an external organisation who are are recognised as the leading authority on all matters relating to student advice and funding. They produce a quarterly Student Money Matters Magazine which is filled with useful information and advice on financial matters.
Support with living in the community
Housing Hub
The University and Christ Church Students' Union have been working together in partnership on a new initiative to help those of you currently living in the local community.
If you are living in our accommodation or in privately rented accommodation in the local community the Housing Hub is here to provide:
- Friendly support and advice for any issues you are experiencing with housemates, landlords, estate agents or neighbours
- Money advice and household budgeting tips
- Student-to-Student mediation service for talking through issues amongst housemates
- Information on financial support and bursaries.
Advice for private renting
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. Here is some advice and support to help you during this time - from your landlord's responsibilities to Help for Households, and organising your gas and electric to managing damp and mould.
The Wellbeing Café
Every Thursday at 2pm- 4.30pm in the Food Court.
Come along and meet the Student Support Team for guidance on finance and wellbeing as well as enjoy a free cuppa and some biscuits.
Your Bank Account Details in MyRecord
If the University ever needs to make a payment to you - e.g. you are eligible for a bursary, or you need to claim back travel costs or you are due a refund for some other reason - the payment will be made to the UK bank account whose details we have on file for you. For this reason, please ensure your bank details in MyRecord are kept up-to-date.
You can update your Bank Account Details, including the name on your account, in MyRecord under the 'My Finance' tab.
When inputting your bank details, make sure you don’t confuse your account number or sort code with the 16-digit card number that’s printed on your debit or credit card.
- Your sort code is just six digits long.
- Your account number is eight digits long.
You can typically find the name on your account, your sort code and your account number on bank statements and in your banking app or online site. Many banks also print this information on the front or back of the bank card.
Don't worry about including the Account Prefix, as this doesn't impact our ability to make payments to you.
If your account is with a building society, rather than a bank (e.g. Nationwide Building Society, Coventry Building Society, Yorkshire Building Society, Skipton Building Society, Leeds Building Society), you may also need to include your Building Society Roll Number. This is a reference code with letters and numbers, which your building society will have given you if you need it.