Transform students’ lives

University is well-known for being a place of learning so many new things beyond the classroom. For students, getting used to a new town, different places to socialise, and meeting new people can be quite overwhelming.

This is before thinking of the more practical, daily things of going food shopping, paying bills and, importantly, managing money – something that they may never have done before. It can be a challenging time, trying to prioritise between food, rent, studies and socialising on a limited budget.

Your donations help to take the stress and worry from students. You're equipping them with invaluable skills to use in University and beyond.

This is because your Aber Fund donations have funded an e-learning platform, Blackbullion. It is a self-help training guide for students to understand and manage their money situation.

Topics include “budgeting”, “managing debt”, and “how to save”. There’s a helpful budget calculator and a student loan repayment estimator too.

Students also receive regular email updates to make sure they continue to manage their money wisely.

The programme has had a dramatic effect on the number of students needing financial support. It has reduced the amount needed for the hardship fund by 25% in a year. Less students need financial support.

A second-year undergraduate student who has taken part in the programme says: "the Blackbullion system is fantastic! It really helped me clear up my definitions of financial terminology. I have a better understanding of what these terms mean. I think the Budget calculator is a brilliant tool, too.

I really would recommend this to any student as it certainly gave me clarity on where my money is going."

You’re making a huge difference to Aber students. You're supporting students to make the most of all the new experiences that University has to offer.

Thank you for improving students’ lives and making their experience at Aber a better one.