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Guidance for staff on supporting students experiencing financial difficulties

Advice and guidance for staff if a student discloses they are struggling with their finances

If a student shares concerns about their finances, respond with empathy and reassurance, and let them know University support is available. Students may not always be aware of the financial help on offer and eligibility can vary depending on individual circumstances. In these situations, Student Money Advice, is the best point of contact as they can provide specialist guidance to discuss their circumstances and identify possible support options.

Supporting students with financial difficulties

Contacting Student Money Advice

Staff can contact Student Money Advice via the Student Support helpdesk on 01225 383838 or by email studentmoneyadvice@bath.ac.uk.

Please encourage students to book their own appointments with Student Money Advice via MySkills or emailing at studentmoneyadvice@bath.ac.uk, or via the Student Support helpdesk at the Roper Centre in 4 West.

Cost of living advice

As part of the university’s response to the rise in the cost of living, a range of interventions, advice and guidance has been introduced to reduce costs in areas such as food, travel, course costs, health, warm places to study and social activities. Staff can signpost students to the cost of living advice and support for students webpage which provides more information about the cost of living measures the University has taken to help reduce students’ costs.

Financial support options

Students experiencing financial difficulties may be eligible to apply for a non-repayable grant through the Financial Support Fund. Please inform students that this fund is discretionary and awards are not guaranteed, but we will do our best to assist where we can.

Where a student’s financial need is more immediate there is the option to apply for an interest-free Short-Term Loan of up to £500, subject to eligibility and availability.

For further advice and information on finances depending on specific student groups, staff can signpost to:

Budgeting advice

Support students by encouraging them to develop practical budgeting and money-management skills, particularly where financial difficulties may be linked to planning or awareness rather than immediate hardship.

You can direct students to the following resources for guidance and support:

  • the Managing your money webpage, provides advice and information to make informed decisions about finances
  • Blackbullion, a financial education app that the University has partnered with
  • the Budgeting guide, which provides practical advice on planning finances and managing money effectively

Gambling

If a student discloses financial difficulties linked to gambling, our advice and support with gambling issues webpage contains information and advice on how students can access support both at the University and via external organisations.

Scam/fraud

If a student reports being a victim of a scam or fraudulent activity, or believes they may have been targeted, staff should direct them to the following webpages for guidance on what to do:

Supporting students with course related costs

Staff can help reduce financial pressure on students by considering the cost implications of teaching and assessment decisions and by clearly communicating expectations.

Staff are encouraged to:

  • set assessment and submission deadlines well in advance for students and avoid any short-notice changes where possible. This helps students to plan their work shifts and secure income, which is particularly important for those on zero hours contracts
  • minimise additional teaching costs for students as much as possible, by providing online access to materials, using lecture capture, and enabling digital submission of coursework
  • clearly communicate any course-related costs at the start of the academic year, such as, field trips, equipment, specialist materials, so students can plan and budget in advance
  • promote departmental funding opportunities (if available) to support students with course related costs, such as field trips, equipment etc.
  • encourage students to purchase second-hand books and materials or sell to each other via departmental channels
  • highlight online materials and Library provision to promote free to access resources
  • signpost students to cost of living support and student money advice
  • promote warm study places which are free to use, the University offers plenty of places to study in a warm and comfortable environment during winter, both on campus and in town at the Virgil Building and Dartmouth Avenue. Students can also use these spaces to charge phones and laptops, , to save on energy bills at home
  • encourage students to think about their placement year finances (if applicable) early to allow time to plan ahead

Laptops, books and media resources for studies

Staff can support students by informing them about the wide range of free or low-cost study resources available through the University. These are:

Other considerations and interventions

Staff may also consider the following actions to help reduce financial pressure and support student wellbeing:

  • offer online meetings where possible, if this reduces travel costs and suits the student
  • regularly remind students (particularly at key times such as deadlines, examinations, transitions) about Student Support and the Financial Support Fund
  • promote paid internships and work experience opportunities (if applicable)
  • talk to students about their life outside of study and be alert to signs they could be struggling, and if necessary direct them to Student Support at the Roper Centre 4 West
  • signpost to the wide range of advice and guidance available via Student Support

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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