Students look to cut their debt

04 October 2012 16:14:24

Students get advice on budgeting

University is traditionally known as a time absolved of many responsibilities, when students can run up vast amounts of debt, safe in the knowledge that they'll get good enough jobs to pay them off when they leave, and at a reduced rate of interest.

But for the current crop of students, it's a very different story.

The increase in tuition fees from £3,000 to £9,000 per year has meant that the majority of first-years (or 'freshers') now expect to finish their course with a mountain of debt to the tune of £39,000.

And with this sword of Damocles hanging over them, many are considering cost-cutting measures that could help them avoid going too far into the red.

Saving money
According to a report conducted by the Money Advice Service, such measures range from the sensible to the ridiculous. One in three students said they would consider living at home in an effort to cut debt.

Meanwhile, 60 per cent said they would work at some point during the year in order to raise extra cash, and more than a quarter said they'd work during term time and holidays to boost their finances.

Desperate measures
But some of the cash-saving tactics were less sensible, with 29 per cent of freshers admitting they would skip meals in order to save money.

A total of 27 per cent said they'd risk grades by avoiding buying essential text books, while almost a third indicated that they'd go without central heating in order to minimise their student debt.

But while debt is part of being a student, it doesn't have to be daunting, according to Phil Davis, chairman of the Money Advice Service.

He points out that the use of budgeting tools and the right education, students can find ways to quickly cut their outgoings and work out a strategy that will help them to reduce the amount of debt they pay at the end of the year.

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