Advice for those coming to the end of their course

For those of you coming to the end of your course, you will probably want to start looking for a job. A recommended website for doing this is www.gumtree.com, which is full of job offers as well as adverts for houses, flats, cars and other property being sold – all in the London area. Be sure also to look in the classified ads in your local paper. It’s also important to network; a friend of a friend might have a job offer that they can tell you about that’s just right for you, for example. Also, while you are still a student you should ask our team for any specific advice on this matter. We will be happy to help.
However, if you are unsuccessful in finding a job, you may be entitled to receive any of these benefits. If you need to find out any more information, click the link below the relevant fund:

- Housing Benefit
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018926
- Income Support
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018708
- Jobseekers' Allowance
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10018757


It’s a lengthy procedure applying for these benefits, so it’s safest just to get on with it, even if you’ve got job interviews coming up, so long as you remember to inform the appropriate government services as soon as you have paid employment.
You may need to produce your plastic card with your National Insurance number on. If you have mislaid this over the years, now is a good time to apply for a duplicate by contacting your local Department for Work and Pensions.
We hope none of you will have to leave your course early, but if you do, then the above advice still applies. If anyone has to leave because of ill health, then make sure that as well as considering the above benefits, you also pursue applications for Disability Living Allowance and Income Support.
If you do have to live on benefits, then remember the lessons you learned about budgeting and money saving tips while a student.

Here are some links to web pages that offer worthy advice on finance for students at all levels of study:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/student-money-saving
http://www.moneysavingstudent.com/
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

FSA Cut-back Calculator

Summer Support Fund*

Well, summer is finally here and that’s good news for some, but for others it may be difficult to think about enjoying your break or relaxing due to money worries. The UEL Money Matters team has set up a fund to assist those students unable to work due to certain criteria, called the Summer Support Fund. There is a page about this fund on the UEL Website:

http://www.uel.ac.uk/studentlife/moneymatters/supportfund.htm

As you will see from the webpage, there are very specific criteria for receiving this fund (which is a non-repayable grant), however, you only need to fit one of these conditions: if you are a single parent, then you may qualify for this grant; if you have a permanent or debilitating medical condition or disability that prevents your from working, then you may also be eligible; if you are on a compulsory unpaid integral work placement during the summer break. Please note that you also have to be a full time, home (i.e. have a British passport or indefinite leave to remain )student and must be returning to study at UEL (i.e. coming back in September – so if you are a final year student you cannot qualify).

The distribution of this limited fund is dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you think you qualify and could do with the money, please get on with downloading your application form from the above link. The deadline for submitting your application is the 19^th June, so don’t delay! Remember, time is money!

* Disclaimer: blogger is a student at UEL and is not a qualified money adviser. Please go to www.uel.ac.uk/smart for full details of the above fund