It’s never too early to start preparing your finances for the new academic year ahead. Check out our top ten tips:

1. Plan your personal budget for the academic year ahead, so you are in control of your finances and don’t have to worry. We have online guidance and spreadsheets, and an A-Z of Money Saving Ideas to help you with this
2. Don’t miss out on money that you are entitled to. Use the funding advice guides on the Advice and Counselling Service website to help you check this
3. Make sure your council tax exemption is in place for 2025/26. To avoid being billed for somewhere you’ve moved out of, remember to complete the relevant moving out forms. Read our detailed guidance which explains more about claiming exemption and how to deal with council tax issues
4. Protect your money from scams and fraud. Criminals are particularly active at the start of a new academic year as they know home and international students will be receiving funding into their bank accounts. Check out our latest blog on how to avoid start of term scams
5. Students with individual circumstances – care-experienced and estranged students, and students with caring responsibilities – don’t forget to check in with your Welfare Adviser if you need any practical support
6. If you need advice about rental costs, finding accommodation or checking housing contracts, contact Housing Services
7. Make sure you are familiar with Queen Mary’s Cost of Living support. Check out Student Experience’s webpage for more information on available resources
8. Once you’ve planned your budget, if you anticipate a shortfall, apply to the University’s Financial Assistance Fund which opens for applications at the start of term
9. Don’t ignore money worries; they may impact your mental health and wellbeing as well as your studies. Read our Money and Mental Health blog and reach out for support to a Welfare Adviser or wellbeing practitioner as soon as you think there’s an issue
10. Contact us for a 1:1 confidential appointment on any practical and/or wellbeing issue by logging an AskQM enquiry, choose ‘new enquiry’, then select from the drop-down list. See our webpage for more guidance on how to contact us.