I can't afford university

I can't afford this anymore, we've found a house for second year, and its the cheapest house on the market, but i genuinely can't afford it. I'm on maximum student loan, whilst also being disabled, I can't get a job due to my disabilities, and I come from a low income background, meaning I get no support from family whilst being here. We've sent off the initial form on student cribs for this house, but I don't have a guarentor, meaning I have to buy one, again, can't afford that. My rent next year is going to be over 11K.

I've been thinking of dropping out, I've started to love it here, but I can't afford to be in Exeter financially, no one around seems to understand my sitation, not even my housemates for next year, and I'm really struggling mentally because of it.

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Paying £900 a month in Exeter for a room in a house share seems extremely steep. Looking on rightmove right now I can see 4 flagged as student accommodation specifically which are less than £750 a month and mostly near-ish the uni. I'm sure there are more if you remove the student accommodation flag and just look for those which also consider students as regular lets...?

I've even briefly looked and there's rooms in private halls like Northernhay House for less than that.

Honestly I feel like the issue here is that your flatmates have chosen an unreasonably expensive place to rent next year. For context - there's literally accommodation at UCL in central London that is about that cost for a single in uni halls. For Exeter that's just extortionate.

I don't think you should drop out over this - I do think you should have a discussion about whether their choice of accommodation is unrealistic on the whole with your future flatmates, and/or look at living elsewhere. I think there are solutions there other than dropping out.

Reply 2

Zarek

Get some support and advice from your SU welfare services. A degree is a potential route to financial security and I wouldn’t drop out, also since you have invested a lot already

Reply 3

PinkMobilePhone

Chat Forum Helper, Life & Style Forum Helper

Is there any possibility of staying on in halls for Years 2 and 3?

Reply 4

Whatswhat

So you have only just started the course? You know you don’t need to commit to your second year accommodation so soon…I see a lot of pressure at Exeter for 1st years to do this really soon and it’s not necessary.there are private halls that are cheaper than £11k or there will be rooms available for less later on , you don’t need to make definite plans with people you have only just met who may well be from advantaged backgrounds if they think £11k is both normal and affordable.Please speak to the uni welfare team.

Reply 5

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post

by Crumpledpaper

I can't afford this anymore, we've found a house for second year, and its the cheapest house on the market, but i genuinely can't afford it. I'm on maximum student loan, whilst also being disabled, I can't get a job due to my disabilities, and I come from a low income background, meaning I get no support from family whilst being here. We've sent off the initial form on student cribs for this house, but I don't have a guarentor, meaning I have to buy one, again, can't afford that. My rent next year is going to be over 11K.
I've been thinking of dropping out, I've started to love it here, but I can't afford to be in Exeter financially, no one around seems to understand my sitation, not even my housemates for next year, and I'm really struggling mentally because of it.

Hi Crumpledpaper,

Having spent 4 years studying in Exeter I can definitely relate to the concern over the cost of living. I would say from my own experience that there is a massive, unnecessary, rush really early on in first year to find second year accommodation. Mostly this is caused by the shared belief you have to find accommodation straight away so everyone rushes at once. If you don't feel ready for this yet then don't commit until you feel ready. In my 3rd year I didn't sort out my accommodation for my 4th year till May of my 3rd year. So, from personal experience you do have options later in the year if you want to wait and look around more. Try having a look at smaller, local estate agents who might have properties for student let that aren't on big sites like student cribs.

Remember you are not in it alone and there is support if you need it. The Universitas wellbeing services can offer advice, and it may be worth having a look at the link below at what sorts of financial help the university offers such as the Universities Success for all funds. Some of these services may be worth looking into for how you can access them and whether you are eligible.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/financialhelp/

It’s worth talking to the university/wellbeing team/friends/family about your feelings and the pressure you are under which is making you think you might drop out, having support for all aspects of university is so important.

Amelie (University of Exeter Student Ambassador)