student survivor

'SNOT' - who has relinquished his real name for the duration of an extended Punk phase.

Age: 19, you got a problem wiv that? 'Ave you guvnor?

Height: 5'5, but don't make no issue of it, awright?

Star sign: Aquarius (experimental, quirky, weird)

Subject: Music, though it sounds more like noise to everyone else

On the stereo: Sex Pistols, 'God Save The Queen'

On the back: Vivienne Westwood studded leather trousers

On the plate: pot noodle, a kebab, anything processed

On the road: the good old British bus. Nothing wrong with that

On holiday: Croydon, to have something to moan about

On the doormat: Socialist Worker, Trade Union magazines

Hobbies: getting new tattoos and body piercings, staring

Part-time job: works as a tech in a recording studio, annoying bands by dubbing feedback and noise over their records to make them more punk'

His take on the year: Yeah, I s'pose it was alright. Wasn't great though. Uni don't like me creating anarchy in the lecture halls. Dunno why.

What's your favourite part of uni life? The girls, though they don't like it when I spit near them. Can't work that one out, either.

And the worst? Having no money. I only earn fifty quid a week at the studio, 'cause it's a job everyone wants to do.

What have you missed most? Miss? I don't miss things, guv. Well, guess I miss staying in halls - am back at home to save dosh, but the olds are well cramping my style.

What has been the greatest surprise? People being helpful.

How have you coped with money? Not well. Wish I had more of it. I dunno how I'm going to survive two more years.

Top financial tip? Stop smoking fags. Give up and you could save a stash of cash.

Budget

Household income: £17,000

Income

Snot receives a full maintenance grant of £2,700 per year and whacking great bursary of £1,500. His loan worth £2215 is not as high because he lives at home. He earns £50 per week at the studio which brings him £2,100 over an academic year. He also receives an access to learning fund of £800 per year.

Expenditure

Snot saves money on rent as he's living at home. He lives a bit further away from campus so has to spend £60 per month on transport. He's worried about money, but still spends a quarter of his wages on fags.

Repayment

If Snot got a job earning £16,000 per year, he would pay his loan back at the rate of £90 per year. That's £7.50 per month - the price of two packets of fags!

To work out a detailed budget use UNIAID's Student Calculator

Annual Income
Maintenance Grant	£2,700
Annual Student Loan	£2215
Grant + Loan	£4915
University Bursary	£1,500
Contribution from Folks	£0
Interest Free Overdraft	£1,000
Part-time work (in term time)	£2,100
Access to learning fund	£800
Total Income	£10315

Expenditure	Month	Year
Rent	£0	£0
Food	£40	£480
Shopping	£30	£360
Utilities (electric, gas, water included in halls fees)	£0	£0
Smoking	£55	£660
Mobile/phone bill	£20	£240
Books/stationary/equipment	£10	£120
Travel/Transport	£60	£720
Socialising	£80	£960
Total Expenditure	£295	£3540

Course fees are also payable and a loan to cover this cost is available. Course fees don't have to be paid back until a student is earning over £15,000!