“A common thing said by students right now is: ‘Sorry I can’t, I’m skint,’” says Grace Armstrong, vice-president for welfare at Northumbria University’s students’ union. While students have long been financially stretched, the cost of living crisis is a major concern, with the increasing costs of rent, food, utility bills and, for students on some courses, the cost of materials, putting pressure on budgets.
Pretty much everyone is feeling the pinch, with research suggesting that mature students have felt the impact in particular. But there are things that students can do to help manage these costs, from finding out if they’re eligible for financial support schemes to accessing free meals on campus. We spoke to staff and students from Northumbria University for their tips on ways to cope – and to find out how the university is doing its bit to lend a hand.
