Your finances
York St John Student Support Fund
We can offer financial assistance through the Student Support Fund and short-term emergency food assistance. The aim of this support is to help you with unexpected financial difficulties.
The York St John Student Support Fund is now closed and will open in the new academic year.
We understand that finances can be challenging and if you are financially struggling, we have provided some suggestions that may help improve your situation.
If you would like to contact the Student Funding Advice team to discuss your financial circumstances, please email us on fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
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Working full time over summer
If you are looking for a summer job, the Careers team can help with this. They have links with businesses in York and advertise jobs all year round including summer internships. You can find these jobs on our online careers portal, Handshake.
The following resources will help you to enhance your chances of securing a job:
- Application Theory (YouTube): Watch this video to develop your CV, cover letter and application writing skills. These will increase your chance at securing an interview.
- Career planner (Prospects website): If you are unsure about what kind of jobs you should apply for, input your skills, motivations and desires to find out which roles are most suited to you.
- Log in to Handshake: You can also send your CV to careers@yorksj.ac.uk to get feedback or book a careers appointment with our Careers Advisers to discuss your CV.
Rent due over summer
If you are not able to pay your rent over summer, we would advise you to contact your landlord or letting agent to explain your financial circumstances and ask what options are available to you. Some landlords and letting agents will offer an alternative payment plan and allow you pay in monthly instalments over the summer, however this can differ between each of them.
Unable to work
You may be unable to work over summer due to ill health, disability, caring responsibilities, or if you have dependent children. If you are unable to work over the summer, please contact the Student Funding Advice team to discuss your circumstances.
You can email the team on fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Student bank accounts
You can open a student bank account which should provide you with an interest free overdraft. We do advise you to use this overdraft as a temporary measure to help support you over the summer with the plan to repay it once you receive your summer wages or your student finance in September. It is good to have this overdraft available as a safety net throughout term time.
It is important to get the right student account for you. You can compare accounts on the Money Saving Expert website.
Budgeting support
The University has subscribed to Blackbullion, an award-winning financial wellbeing resource which offers free online advice to support you with money skills for life. Blackbullion has launched an app to help you manage your money with confidence by putting you in control. It will also provide you with insights and will suggest areas you can save, plus you can earn bullions which can be exchanged for prizes.
Register on the Blackbullion website.
Food assistance
If you do find yourself in an unexpected situation without food, we can offer you food assistance through a stock of non-perishable food items. This support is designed to help relive immediate pressure during this difficult time. Please contact the Student Funding Advice team on fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Alternatively, the following links will confirm other support available in York.
If you are not located in York, please visit the Trussell Trust website to find your local food bank.
Alternative shopping options are also available. The apps below can help you to save money on your food.
- Too Good to Go: Find discounts on surplus food at local shops and restaurants.
- Olio: Pick up items that are no longer needed from people who live nearby.
- No Waste: Track, organise and manage the food in your home to reduce waste.
- Trolley.co.uk: Compare prices across supermarkets and save money on your everyday shopping.
Outstanding tuition fee payments
If you owe money to the University, please contact the Credit Control team to discuss your financial circumstances and they will explain the options available. You can contact them by email on creditcontrol@yorksj.ac.uk or by phone on 01904 876 452.
