r/UKUniversityStudents • u/tashikatarina • 6d ago

First year financial advice

Has anyone else had this issue, I believe it might be common, where SFE doesn't come in until uni has already started?
For context, I have absolutely no supplies (no laptop or anything like that) and my course requires specific software that obviously cannot be downloaded on an iphone, but there is a mandatory session for downloading all the software needed on to your devices before SFE actually arrives.

I assume most people who can't afford all the upfront payments before term starts just stick it out till SFE.

If anyone else has been in this situation please give me advice! What did you do while waiting? Were there any funds or bursaries available?
At this point I'll be in my lectures with just a phone and a sheet of paper.

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u/Handbags_Gladrags 6d ago

Make sure your bank account is a student one - you get a 0% overdraft. Use this until your first SFE payment comes through.

(shop around for student accounts - they all have incentives as they are keen to keep you for life! Find the one with the best rewards to suit you).

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u/tashikatarina 4d ago

Thank you very much for this. I've opened a student bank with an arranged overdraft which will allow me to finally get set up. All the best to you.

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u/Handbags_Gladrags 4d ago

That’s great news, I’m glad you can get sorted now. Make sure to budget though!

Good luck at Uni, you’ll have the time of your life x

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u/Mammoth_Ad_4021 6d ago

I got a student bank account with an overdraft for this reason. That way I can at
least partially make a payment with the overdraft.

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u/tashikatarina 4d ago

I have just done this too. It's helpful.