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Student hub: Top tips for saving money at uni

Starting uni is a big life change, no matter if you're straight out of college or a mature student. And there can be a lot of financial challenges to stretch that student loan to its limit.

We're here to help. We've worked with the National Union of Students (NUS) to help you make the most of your money while you study.

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Need help managing your money at uni?

We’ve enlisted the help of the NUS to understand what financial difficulties students face at each stage of uni life.

More on Confused.com's work with NUS.

You’ll find lots of articles here that can help you navigate your time at university, including:

  • What you need to know about having a car at uni
  • If you really need contents insurance for your belongings
  • What financial support you're entitled to during your studies

What financial support is there for students?

Your student loan may not be the only help out there for you during your studies. While not everyone is eligible for every grant, it’s worth making sure you're aware of your options.

Some of the main grants and exemptions are:

  • University Scholarships
  • Subject-specific bursaries and grants
  • Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
  • University and college hardship funds

Our top car guides for students

See all car insurance guides

What our car insurance expert says:

"If you’ve decided to bring a car to uni with you, it’s worth thinking about how much you’re likely to use it. If you live on campus and won’t be driving much, you might be able to save money on your car insurance with a pay-per-mile policy.

But if you only use your car for visiting home, you might be better off getting temporary insurance for just the duration of those journeys. But be careful - you'll need to give your car a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) when you're not using it."

Our top home guides for students

See all home insurance guides

What our home insurance expert says:

"If you previously lived in uni halls, you might not have needed to worry about insuring your belongings. In private accommodation though, you're responsible for making sure your stuff is protected.

It can be tempting not bother with contents insurance and hope the landlord’s insurance will cover your belongings - it won't. In fact, this could end up costing you even more if your valuables get damaged or stolen, so we’d always recommend getting cover."

Confused.com and NUS

The National Union for Students is a confederation of Students’ Unions and works at a national level to defend, extend and promote the rights of students in universities and colleges across the UK. NUS are actively at the forefront of campaigning for student rights, including free education that is accessible to everyone.

We have worked with NUS to gain an insight and understanding of what students are lacking when it comes to understanding their finances and options, from bill exemptions, to helping make a choice of which university to attend, to managing their monthly budgets. Through speaking with students directly, we have created a dedicated student hub, in the aim to help prospective and current students gain an understanding of how to navigate student life.

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