Help at hand

If you've taken the entire student loan available to you, and family members can't help you out, but you're still really struggling to make ends meet there are a few things you can do:

• Firstly, you could find some part-time work whilst studying. Your university may have a 'job shop' or your students' union should be able to give you a list of vacancies in the bars on campus, for example. Some people worry that part-time work might get in the way of study but usually you can take up work to suit your academic timetable.
• You could also see what overdraft facilities are available to you. If you're at your overdraft limit, you may find that your bank will allow you to extend your overdraft for a fixed period of time. This can be useful as it can give an immediate source of funds. You should be able to speak to a specialist student finance adviser at your bank about this.
• Hardship grants/loans (also known as Access funds) could also be available to you. The government provides funds to universities to enable them to assist students who are in financial difficulty. The full rules on eligibility are complex but generally if you can prove you are in need of financial assistance, you could receive a lump sum of up to £500 cash. If you receive hardship funds in the form of a loan, it will be added to your student loan account and will be paid back in the same way. Grants, however, don't have to be paid back. You should contact your students' union for application details. However, it may take a couple of weeks to receive any money.
• The Family Welfare Agency (FWA), amongst other charities, can be contacted and they may be able to give you some money. However, you should contact your students' union, as you'll need a supporting statement from them with your application.

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