Money Timeline: Once you’re registered at university
Key times to think about your income and outgoing expenses during your first year onwards, and how to manage your money.
Overview
Once you’ve started at university, it’s a good idea to understand how much money you’ll need during your studies, and when you might need to pay for certain things.
Our timeline pinpoints key times for you to think about your income and outgoing expenses, such as any funding you’ll receive, utilities, childcare costs etc.
The timeline starts in September, once you’ve just registered at university.
September
Paying tax
If you’re planning on getting a job whilst studying, make sure you pay the right amount of tax. You can work it out using the Tax Guide for Students website.
Create a housing inventory
Whether you're living in university accommodation or private housing, it's worth taking some time to create an inventory (a list of items and their condition when you moved in) and take pictures of your house/flat. It could save you some money in the long run when it comes to making sure you get your deposit back.
Share utility bills when you move in
If you’re sharing a house, all of you should be responsible for the utility costs. Make sure you take readings when you move in so you only pay for what you've used.
First student loan instalment (undergraduate and postgraduate taught)
If you’ve successfully applied for student finance, the first student loan instalment will be paid from three to five days after you register.
For more information and how to check your payment status, check the government web page.
Stipend payment (postgraduate research)
If you’re a PGR student and receive a stipend, you must be fully registered in order to receive your first payment. Make sure you’ve completed all your registration tasks and added your bank details.
Once you've registered, you'll be paid once every three months, on the first of each month.
October
If your funding is delayed
If you experience a delay in your funding, it's really important to let us know (student login required) as soon as possible, particularly if you have an accommodation payment due.
You'll still be able to register and the University may be able to help you in the short-term if your funds are delayed. The Student Advice Centre (student login required) can help you check everything is in place to get your funding sorted as quickly as possible.
Get Council Tax exemption
If you’re a full-time student, you’re exempt from paying Council Tax. The quickest way to obtain a Council Tax exemption certificate is by using our student document self-serve:
Student Document Self Serve: Generate a Council Tax exemption certificate (student login required)
You can also go in person to the Student Services Information Desk (student login required) to request a signed and stamped version of the letter.
Student discount
A student card opens a whole world of discounts. From reduced bus fares to cheap haircuts, make sure you ask everywhere you go if they offer student discounts.
University of Sheffield Bursary Scheme
We'll email you by the beginning of November to confirm whether you're eligible for a University of Sheffield Bursary or not.
Participation Grant
If you want to get involved with sports or societies, check if you are eligible for the Participation Grant (student login required) and apply.
Book travel well in advance
Cheap train tickets are usually released 12 weeks in advance. If you're travelling home at Christmas via train, book your travel now to save on the cost.
You may also want to check whether it’s possible to travel via coach, as there are often great deals on these journeys.
Next year's housing deposit
Most landlords will ask for a deposit when you sign for next year's house. Try and budget for this by putting a little bit of money away each month.
You should also check if you'll have any overlap of your contracts and plan ahead if you do. Sometimes students end up paying two lots of rent in one month.
November
Consider a part-time job
If you start to run low on money, you may want to consider getting a part-time job. The Careers and Employability Hub has advice on their web pages (student login required) about how to start your search, including by using Career Connect, the University’s internal jobs board.
If you’re on a full-time course, we advise that you work no more than 16 hours per week during term-time.
There is an Equal Opportunities Fund for current students, where, if you meet the Equal Opportunities eligibility criteria, you can apply for up to £300 per academic year to reimburse expenses incurred when taking part in an opportunity that develops your employability.
Equal Opportunities Fund (student login required)
In addition, current students who have worries about affording formal clothing for upcoming job interviews, assessment centres, or a new job can get a free referral to The Suit Works, a Sheffield not-for-profit organisation that offers free outfits from their huge range of pre-loved formal wear, with clothes for all shapes, sizes, and tastes. Just drop into the Employability and Placements Hub in the Students’ Union, where staff will help you with the referral.
Get support with your finances
November can be a time when students start to run out of money. Our money saving tips (student login required) might be helpful.
Our financial health check page (student login required) can also help you review your finances and better understand how you’re managing your money.
If you're starting to run low on funds, get in touch with the Student Advice Centre (student login required) in the Students' Union. They can help you look at your budget and make sure you're accessing all of the funds you're eligible for.
December
Christmas ideas
Check out Money Saving Expert’s tips on saving money at Christmas. In particular, make sure you’ve worked out your budget carefully before you start buying presents: consider making a pre-Christmas no-unnecessary-present pact with friends or organise a Secret Santa with a capped amount.
Confirm childcare costs
If you’re receiving a Childcare Grant this year, make sure you’ve approved any requests for payment for this term. See the government web pages for more information.
January
Unwanted Christmas presents?
Did you receive anything for Christmas that you don’t want or need? There are a range of sites online where you can advertise and sell items that you no longer want or need. Money Saving Expert provide some tips on second-hand selling.
Second student loan instalment
If you’ve successfully applied for student finance, the second student loan instalment will be paid after the Christmas vacation.
February
Book Easter travel early
If you're travelling home at Easter via train, book your travel now to save on the cost. You may also want to check whether it’s possible to travel via coach, as there are often great deals on these journeys.
Organise next year's accommodation
There's plenty of student accommodation available in Sheffield. Take your time finding somewhere that’s right for you and your budget.
Smart Move Sheffield should be your first choice when looking for accommodation. They’re run by the University of Sheffield and all properties on their search facility have been inspected by Sheffield City Council as part of their Snug student housing scheme.
The Student Advice Centre (student login required) in the Students' Union can take a look at your contract for you and check everything is in shape.
March
Walk instead of ride
Now the weather should be improving, you may want to consider walking to University instead of paying for transport.
You can use our BetterPoints app to earn points for travelling to the University by foot, and exchange these for rewards.
Confirm childcare costs
If you’re receiving a Childcare Grant this year, make sure you’ve approved any requests for payment for this term.
See the government web pages for more information.
April
Final student loan instalment of the year
If you’ve successfully applied for student finance, your final student loan instalment will be paid shortly after Easter.
Remember that this is supposed to last you until September, so if you think you might run out of funds, you may want to consider looking for a job over the summer.
May
Next year's reading lists
If you’ve got your reading list for next year, look out for students in the year above selling their used books. You could also put up a notice in your department if you’re looking for second-hand books.
June
Re-apply for your student loan
If you’re eligible for student finance, you have to reapply for your student loan for each year of your programme.
If everything is staying the same, you just need to tick the box in your application.
If you're changing course or have decided to go on a year abroad, this is the time to let student finance know.
Split your utility bills when you move out
If you’re sharing a house, all of you are responsible for the utility costs. Make sure you take readings when you move out and pay the balance between you.
Confirm childcare costs
If you’re receiving a Childcare Grant this year, make sure you’ve approved any requests for payment for this term. See the government web pages for more information.
TV Licence refund
If you've paid for your TV Licence for a full year but move out during the summer, you can apply for a refund for the months your accommodation will be empty. For more information, see the TV Licence web pages.
July
Consider getting a job
The summer vacation is a good time to get a job and start saving some money for the next academic year. You can check Career Connect for jobs within the University.
As outlined earlier in the year, you may be eligible for the Equal Opportunities Fund (student login required) or can visit the Employability and Placements Hub in the Students’ Union, where staff will help you with a referral to The Suit Works if you need some formal clothing.
August
Check your student loan
As it's nearly time for the new academic year, it's worth having a quick check of your student finance application if applicable to make sure everything is up to date so that your funds are paid on time.
During your final year, there are specific key dates and money management tips that may be useful for you, such as when you’ll receive any funding, and planning for after you graduate. See our timeline for managing money during your final year.