Your cost of living support
Food Linc – discount lunches
From 2.30pm everyday all left-over portions of hot food from the Minerva building servery will be boxed up and available for a reduce price of £1.50.
This is subject to availability and once it’s gone, its gone!
Financial support & advice
Student Services can advise on what financial aid is available to you.
UoL Financial Assistance Fund (ULFAF)
If you are finding it difficult to manage your money or struggling to make ends meet, then we are here to help. The University of Lincoln Financial Assistance Fund is available to support those that need it the most.
There are a range of funds to apply for, covering travel and field trip costs, childcare and day-to-day living costs.
Our specialist funding advisors are here to support you and offer advice on a range of issues.
Lincoln Financial Assistance Fund More financial support & advice
Additional student hardship funding
The University of Lincoln, in partnership with the Office for Students, is pleased to announce a support package for those students who have been affected by the increased cost of living.
Eligible students should make an application by Sunday 16th April 2023.
Find out about additional fundingStudents’ Union Support & Advice
The Students’ Union Advice Centre can talk to you about the different financial aid options available and they hold budgeting workshops. They also provide a food bank, clothing bank, free sanitary and sexual health products, as well as care packages for those who need them.
Students' Union Advice Centre
International students – Living in the UK
We welcome international students from all over the world to Lincoln. If you are a Student Visa Holder, we understand the challenges and complexity that come with visa conditions and will always act in your interests and support all our students in the best possible way.
When applying to university, Student Visa holders and their dependants will have been required to show that they have access to a certain amount of money to support living costs in the UK. However, the cost of living in the UK is rapidly rising and this may impact you in terms of your individual financial situation.
If you are an international student in financial difficulty, it is important that you seek help as soon as you can. The Student Support & Advice Team and the SU Advice Centre are here to help and our team are always happy to offer advice and support to international students who are experiencing financial difficulty.
Student Support & Advice SU Advice centre
Tips for making your money go further
While you’re a student, make the most of any discounts you can get and follow these student tips for shopping, cooking and saving money.
Student Life websiteBudgeting & money management tips
From tech to food, transport to days out, discounts are one of the best perks of being a student!
Read the articleMoving to uni and having limited income and lots of outgoing payments can be scary, so budgeting is important.
Read the articleEvery student needs to budget, so here are my tips from first-hand experience.
Read the articleDesigned especially for students, these bank accounts often come with interest-free overdrafts.
Read the articleGrab some bargains and spruce up your accommodation!
Read the articleThe LinCard
At the University of Lincoln we want to make sure that all our students have great opportunities to support their financial wellbeing and we continually look for ways to do this. We are now delighted to have a totally unique offering for our students and to be launching the LinCard cashback card which is available for free to all our students.
The LinCard is a debit card that allows you to budget your finances but uniquely also allows you to earn cashback when it is used at a number of high street stores including Boots, Asda, Argos, Halfords, Harvester, Primark, The Body Shop and many, many more.
More information is available on the attached leaflet or to sign up for you card simply follow the QR code below. If you have any questions then please email contactus@uolrewards.co.uk
LinCard launch
Accommodation Support
Specialist advice is available from both the University’s Student Support & Advice Team and the Students’ Union about your rights and responsibilities in tenancies of any kind.
We will work closely with the Accommodation department at the University where students have declared that they are unable to pay their rent, and with the Finance department where debts have accrued. We will put payment plans in place where needed and direct applications to ULFAF (see above).
If you are struggling to find accommodation which meets your budget, the Students’ Union’s letting agents team can support you to find affordable and safe housing.
Students’ Union letting agents team
Health & wellbeing
Your Wellbeing
Rising expenses and financial difficulties can negatively impact your mental health and wellbeing. If the cost of living is affecting you, our Student Wellbeing Team and Students’ Union are here to support you.
You can access our wellbeing toolkit, as well as general wellbeing advice and our team of Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisors can offer advice and guidance on how to cope.
Our Students’ Union also have Feel Good programmes (link)
Sanitary Products
The Students’ Union and the University have worked together to provide a range of free sanitary products which are available across the campus.
If you are having trouble paying for period products, you can also talk to our support teams about the Financial Assistance Funds.
NHS Low Income Scheme | NHSBSA Buy an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate
Food & Drink
Free hot water
Bring along your own cup or flask to the following outlets and the University Catering team will be happy to help.
Locations for hot water:
Coffee Lab (located in the Think Tank), Good Food & Co (Located in the David Chiddick Building) and the Pier Café (located in the Minerva Building) – At these locations, just ask a member for staff for hot water. They will either fill your cup or give you a paper cup.
Lindons (Based in the Minerva Building) & Theorem (Based in the Isaac Newton Building) – At these locations, you can draw water from the coffee machines yourselves using either your own cup or a paper cup. Look for the signs on what is available. Please note that there is a fixed volume of water which comes from the machines, and you should always take extra care with hot water.
Enterprise Café, Enterprise Building – At this location, you can help yourself to hot water from the machine or ask a member of staff to fill up your cup or flask.
University Libraries – In the Ross Library and Learning Lounges, students can access hot water and a microwave to make warm meals onsite. Hot drink making facilities will be available in the main University Library too.
Please see below for a link to the map of all the locations of the catering outlets listed above.
Microwaves
The University and the SU have worked together to make more spaces available to you to heat your own food. There are several open access kitchenettes across campus which you are welcome to use to heat up your own food in the microwaves provided.
Discounted Food and Drink
The Students’ Union venues, Towers and The Swan, offer 20% of ALL FOOD AND DRINK to students when they present their Student ID card or login to the Student Orders app.
Value meals
Lindons in the Minerva Building have value offers each day priced no higher than £3.00 , so you are always able to get a cheap meal if you need it.
Where to eat on campus
Warm spaces
There are lots of warm places to study on campus.
The University Library is open for you to use as well as study spaces around campus. You can also make use of the various cafes around the campus to use if you need a space to keep warm.
Our Multi-Faith Chaplaincy is based in Witham House and runs a variety of events which you can join in with.
Our Reslife Team is also on hand to support you and their Reslife Lounge is open every evening if you need a warm spot and a bit company.
The Sports Centre will also be available to students to take showers between 7.30am-9am every day (including weekends) even without a gym membership. This extends to families if accompanied by a student with a valid student ID.
Library opening times Building opening times
Transport and travel
Public transport is a sustainable way to travel, and, as a student, you can apply for a range of travel cards depending on your travel needs. If you are travelling by train, then you can apply for a Student Railcard for 1/3 off rail fares throughout the UK. For coach travel, the National Express student discount gives 15% off fares.
Course Related Travel Grant:
You can apply for a contribution towards associated travel costs where there is a direct link between the course and the travel, for example, a field trip, conference etc. Students who make these applications are also encouraged to apply for Financial Assistance Funds where appropriate.
The University supports sustainable travel, and you can find more information on bikes and cycle routes below.
Cycling
Technology
The University has several schemes for student laptop loans. Within the Library, you can use the self-service machine on the ground floor you just need your student card to take one out. They are three hour loans and can be taken out of the building to be used.
The Library also has over 300 workstations for you to use with access to relevant software, a phone charging cabinet and plenty of plugs to charge your devices. There are also learning lounges and other spaces across campus that you can access to charge devices. ICT provide you with access to Microsoft 365 and all relevant software so there is no need to purchase any.
If you need an urgent laptop loan, you can contact Student Support and Advice who can advise you on what you can do and how you can access one.
Library laptop loans
Books
Before buying any books check your reading list – this will indicate what is essential for you to read each week. From there you can click through to Ebooks provided by the Library or borrow them in print if the Ebook is not available. We have also reduced our fines on reserved books.
Where possible, we are also ensuring that key chapters of texts are digitised and available through your reading list.
The University has a Reading and Resource List Policy which ensures that your School works with the Library to provide what you need.
Reading lists – Student guide
Childcare
Childcare is covered by Student Finance England (and other funding providers) and funds are calculated as part of the assessments for full-time students. These funds are grants and are means-tested. They usually pay up to 85% with a weekly cap. You can find out more and apply via the gov.uk website.
Additional needs, due to personal circumstances can be considered under the University of Lincoln Financial Assistance Funds – Term Time Fund.
Students who think that they are unable to fund childcare should contact the Student Support & Advice Team within the Student Support Centre.
Energy saving & sustainability
If you are living in private accommodation, make sure to find out how you will receive the Government’s £400 energy bills discount available to help households this winter.
The Energy Saving Trust also has tips on how to use less gas and electricity, where small changes may be able to save you a lot of money.
Ofwat provide suggestions on how to save water around your home.
If you are living in University-managed accommodation, your utility bills (water, heating and lighting) are included in the cost.
Work opportunities
You can find part time jobs to fit around your studies (including jobs on campus advertised via Campus Jobs), placements and student internships via the University’s CareerLinc service. The site also lists local, national and international graduate roles.
Opportunities to work for the Students’ Union are also advertised on their website.
The Careers Service also offer careers advice and support for job searching, and you may be eligible for the Opportunity fund to help with costs associated with career opportunities.
Students' Union vacancies CareerLinc
External links
You can buy and collect food that would otherwise go to waste directly from businesses via this app.
Too Good to Go appJoin millions of neighbours all over the world who are using OLIO to share more, care more and waste less.
OlioSave the Student provides free, impartial advice to students on how to make their money go further.
Save the StudentWe will be regularly updating this hub with more information and if you have ideas about what we can do to help, or suggestions of other areas for us to explore, please let us know by contacting your Students’ Union at advice@lincolnsu.com or the Student Advice & Support team at studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk.