Cost of living support for Kent students
Cost of Living Support
We’re here to support you with managing the cost of living.
Access to food
We are working with Kent Union to ensure no student goes without food.
£3 Meal Deals
- Get a £3 meal deal at Rutherford Dining Hall, Canterbury. Deal includes a main with a selection of veg, sides and salad.
- The Deep End at The Hub and Venue Cafe in Pilkington are now offering £3 meal deals at Medway campus.
Free snacks and meals
- Kent Union's Brunch Club offers free food from Canvas food truck.
- Help yourself to porridge, cereal bars and tea/coffee for breakfast in the Oasis Lounge, Rochester Building.
- The students' unions at Medway are running free Community Breakfasts on specific days.
- Reduced price food on campus through Too Good To Go app.
Microwaves and hot water points
- We have microwaves and hot water points on campus.
- Map of microwaves at Medway campus.
- Microwaves and hot water points at Canterbury (map) can be found in the Keynes Lounge, Community Lounge, Chipperfield Extension (microwave only), Mandela, Eliot's Corner in Eliot and Rutherford Lounge.
Campus Pantry and food packages
- Campus Pantry in Mandela Student Centre provides short-term support to students in need of supplemental food.
- At Medway, The Hub offers an emergency food package of 5 items by completing this online form.
More support on offer
Cost of living report
Together with Kent Union, we joined forces with The Food Foundation to carry out the Cost of Living Survey across the Canterbury and Medway campuses.
The survey aimed to understand how the cost of living crisis has impacted Kent students and figure out how we can best support you at this time.
We had over 900 responses to the survey and we're using this feedback to help understand the impact of the cost of living crsisis on Kent students, and what we can do to help.
Videos
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How can we look after our mental health during a time of financial stress?
During a cost-of-living crisis, day-to-day activities can feel overwhelming, and your mental health may be worse than usual. Togetherall’s clinical team share some things you can do to ensure you’re keeping well and getting the right support.
As a Kent student, you have free access to Togetherall, where you can get support from real people going through similar experiences. Share anonymously, with no judgement or stigma and there is no waiting list, you can access in minutes.
Read more from Togetherall’s clinical team about looking after your mental health during a time of financial stress.
Featured story
Tips and advice to help with rising costs
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Save money on your food shop
As the cost of food rises, read student tips to help you save on your weekly food shop.
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Financial support contacts
Here are some useful contacts to help you with your finance questions and offer advice.
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Looking for part-time work?
Here are some tips if you'd like to get a part-time or a temporary job while you study.
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Blackbullion app
Develop your finance skills with the blackbullion app which is free for Kent students.
How our bursaries have helped
In 2021-22, the Kent Opportunity Bursary provided £15,000 to students in need. Here is what they had to say...
Student quote
"I am now able to focus on my studies, pay some of my bills, visit my family more often and most importantly go grocery shopping without sacrificing one for the other."
student quote 2
"The Kent Opportunity Bursary will allow me to pay off some of my accrued debt, which allowed me to focus on exams and cut my hours down at work. This has taken a huge weight off my shoulders."
student quote 3
"The bursary has allowed me to continue my studies as a single parent, as without it, I would have had to work to pay for the expenses that I have to cover for both myself and my kids."