In recognition of the challenges some students are facing due to the rise in inflation, the government has given the University additional hardship funding this financial year to provide extra support to students who need it most.

This fund is available for all students facing financial difficulties including UK and international students; undergraduate and postgraduate; and full-time and part-time.

Please complete this application form and email the form to studentmoney@beds.ac.uk.

Applications will be assessed by the Student Money Advice team and awards of £100 to £350 may be awarded, depending on personal circumstances and evidence provided.

All applications should be supported by evidence of circumstances although this should be kept to the minimum necessary to verify the information provided. Please read the terms and conditions [PDF] and privacy notice [PDF] before completing the application.

Once you have submitted your application, please use the original SiD online enquiry number to add further updates or to monitor the progress of the application, rather than creating a new enquiry.

You can log into SiD online via sid.beds.ac.uk

Treehouse in Luton is offering a £1 lunch meal one day every week to support students during the cost of living crisis. The offer will be on a different day each week to give all students the opportunity to take it up. All we ask is that you contribute £1 for the chance to enjoy delicious food and meet others at Treehouse. There may be limited space on the day so head down early to avoid disappointment.

Follow Treehouse on Facebook to find out more about dates and to see photos.

Where to find Treehouse: Ground Floor, J Block, Business School, Vicarage Street, Luton LU1 3JU

Treehouse in Luton and SeedBeds in Bedford are also welcoming students as a warm place to relax with friends or enjoy some quiet time. Free tea and biscuits are also on offer!

Cost of living is affecting most people in the UK right now, including our student community.

Your Exec Team want to ensure that, as your SU, we play our part in offering short-term support to students experiencing extenuating circumstances and unforeseen hardship.

So we're trialling 'Community Pantry' in Luton - somewhere students can pick up a range of donated supplies. During the trial, we will monitor usage and consider opportunities to roll the initiative out on other campuses.

The Pantry relies on charity donations for supplies and your Beds SU officers are working hard to secure more items.

Students who wish to access the Community Pantry should contact our Advice team by emailing help@bedssu.co.uk. A member of the Advice team will be able to book students an appointment to visit the Pantry and collect supplies.

More details on the Students' Union website

Claim your FREE membership

Step 1. Obtain your membership

Get Active is FREE. However, you still need to register via the online booking system to obtain and get booking access to all the classes. Please click and complete 'Register' on the link below:

Claim your FREE MEMBERSHIP here

Step 2. Create your online account

Shortly after you have been added to our system, you will receive two emails from EZ Facility.

• The first email is to verify your email address.
• The second email is to invite you to set up an online account where you will be able to view and book sessions. Please do check your Junk folder as sometimes your email can end up there. You will need to keep these emails as proof of membership if you want to go swimming.

If you do not receive your email within two hours, please contact getactive@beds.ac.uk and we will try and resolve this issue for you.

Step 3. Add on the Free Package

Once you have created your online account, you need to go the 'buy' area of the booking system via the browser and add into your basket the 'Get Active Free Membership'. You should then check out to ensure the package has been added to your account correctly. Once you have done this, you will be able to book classes online.

Step 4. Book Get Active sessions

Once you have your Get Active membership and have created an online account, you will be able to log in to our booking system or book via the downloadable app. We recommend that you bookmark the page so it is easier to find for future reference. You will be able to see sessions that are available to book.

If a class is fully booked, there is an option to join a waiting list. Please be aware that you will not be able to book on or cancel a session within 30 minutes of the session start time.

Timetable

You can find our current timetable here but the most up-to-date version will be on the booking system

How we can help you

Confidential advice

The Student Money Advice team at the University of Bedfordshire offers confidential financial advice, information and support.

If you have any money worries, our advisors are able to give you general advice on a range of issues and will point you towards alternative sources of funding that may be available.

We can advise on

• Student Funding (grants and loans) [PDF]
• Scholarships and Bursaries [PDF]
• Access to Learning Fund [PDF]
• Money Management/Budgeting Advice [PDF]
• Postgraduate funding [PDF]
• Care Leavers Bursary[PDF]

Drop-in service

The Student Money Advice Team hold drop-in sessions at Luton and Bedford campuses.

Luton: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am till 12 noon. Please report to the SiD desk on Level 2 Campus Centre, Luton.

Bedford: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am till 12 noon. Please report to the Student Support Office in P Block.

Contact us

You can contact our advisors at studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

To help support you in your studies during this cost of living crisis, the University is offering a free laptop loan scheme for students who otherwise wouldn't be able to study off campus. The scheme is in addition to the high numbers of PCs and computers we have available on campus, including in our libraries and social study areas.

Should you need a laptop to help you with you studies, please read the terms and conditions and complete the application form. Please also note there are a limited number available.