student survivor

WESTWOOD

Age: 18, but fancies himself as an "old soul"

Height: 5'8, but bounces up and down on stage to make himself look taller

Star sign: Pisces (calm, laid back, dreamy)

Subject: Philosophy and Computer Science (Combined Honours) - it's real deep, man

On the stereo: 50 Cent, 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin''

On the back: his bright yellow FUBU puffa jacket

On the plate: sugar chicken, steamed rice and peas

On the road: his Nike Air Max carry him everywhere he goes

On holiday: California/ LA/ New York anywhere where it's real

On the doormat: imported Dr Dre and Jay Z albums, fresh off CDWow

Hobbies: writing lyrics, performing in open mic contests, watching comedy DVDs

Part-time job: works in the local record shop, Riley's Records

His take on the year: Yo, yeah, it was cool. The lectures tuned me into some interesting stuff I would never have come across in everyday life, and most of the other kids are safe.

What's your favourite part of Uni life? Hanging in the bar, just chillin' with my homies especially Aisha. She's on the level. Peace, you know what I'm sayin?

And the worst? Everything you have to fit into the time - I'm telling you, there's not enough hours in the day! I like to take it easy, and that's just not possible here.

What have you missed most? Not having all my studio equipment and mic stand here for all the rapping. There's just not enough space in my crib.

What has been the greatest surprise? How interesting and tough the course is. I thought it would be a doss but it's a challenge and seriously eyeopening, man.

How have you coped with money? Money? What's that?! Hey, I earn okay from the record shop, but it's up and down, you know? I don't want to spend too much, but somehow it keeps happening.

Top financial tip? Write down everything you spend, then you can see where your money's going. I did that, and it was crazy how much I spent on going out.

Budget

Household income: £22,000

Income

Westwood gets a grant worth £1,950 per year, a uni bursary of £650 and a loan of £3,205. His job in Riley's Records pays him £7.50 an hour so he earns a healthy £3,150 a year.

Expenditure

WestwoodÕs annual expenditure is £6600. He lives in a shared house so has to pay rent and he shares utility bills with his housemates.

Repayment

Westwood is planning on leaving philosophy behind him and using his computer skills to go into the Banking world. He could get a job earning £26,000 per year and would then be paying his loan back at a rate of £20.60 per week.

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

Annual Income
Maintenance Grant	£1,950
Annual Student Loan	£3,205
Grant + Loan	£5,155
University Bursary	£650
Contribution from Folks	£0
Interest Free Overdraft	£1,000
Part-time work (in term time)	£3,150
Access to learning fund	£0
Total Income	£9,955

Expenditure	Month	Year
Rent	£280	£3,360
Food	£60	£720
Shopping	£50	£600
Utilities (electric, gas, water included in halls fees)	£0	£0
Smoking	£20	£240
Mobile/phone bill	£20	£240
Books/stationary/equipment	£20	£240
Travel/Transport	£10	£120
Socialising	£80	£960
Total Expenditure	£550	£6600

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!