Planning for university is a major financial commitment for students and families in Wales, but with good planning, these costs can be managed. Whether saving early or seeking financial solutions while studying, here are the best options to consider before and during university.

1. Start early with a Junior ISA

A Junior Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a tax-free option for long-term savings. Parents can contribute up to £9,000 annually, with interest or gains being tax-free. Junior ISAs come in two forms: cash ISAs, safer with lower returns, and stocks and shares ISAs, which offer higher growth but carry more risk. Starting early allows savings to grow significantly before university.

2. Scholarships and bursaries for Welsh students

Many Welsh universities offer scholarships and bursaries specifically for Welsh students or those studying in Wales. These can help reduce the need for extra loans, allowing students to allocate their funds towards essential expenses like tuition, living costs, or even services like pay for essay assistance. By using online writers, students can acquire immediate assistance with their work.

Cardiff University, Swansea University, and Aberystwyth University all provide scholarships to help reduce the financial burden on Welsh students. Researching and applying early can significantly lower the amount needed to borrow or save.

3. Student loans and Welsh Government support

The Welsh Government provides extra support for students through Student Finance Wales, offering loans for tuition fees and maintenance, along with grants to help with living expenses.

Welsh students benefit from the Welsh Government Learning Grant, a non-repayable financial aid to help with living costs. The amount depends on household income, with lower-income families receiving more. This reduces reliance on loans, making university more affordable and easing debt after graduation.

4. Help to Save scheme

The UK Government’s Help to Save scheme is ideal for low-income students or parents looking to save. Eligible individuals earn a 50% bonus on savings, meaning for every £1 saved, the government adds 50p. 

Over four years, you can save up to £2,400 and earn up to £1,200 in bonuses—an excellent way to build a university fund, especially for those on working tax credit or Universal Credit.

5. Welsh university hardship funds

If you’re already at university and facing financial difficulties, many Welsh universities offer hardship funds or financial aid to help with urgent needs like rent, bills, or course materials. Each university has its own eligibility criteria, so it’s worth exploring this option if you encounter financial challenges during your studies.

6. Part-time work during university

Many Welsh students take on part-time jobs to help with living costs. Universities in Wales often provide student roles, such as working in libraries, cafés, or administration, designed to fit around academic schedules.

Local jobs in hospitality, retail, or remote work can provide a steady income, with the key being to find flexible roles that don’t interfere with academic performance. Services like the Swansea Employability Academy and similar university programmes help students find suitable part-time work.

Conclusion

For Welsh students and families, saving for university becomes easier with the right approach. Starting early, applying for scholarships, and considering part-time work are crucial steps in reducing the financial burden of higher education. With proper planning, students can manage university costs and secure their financial future.

AT A MEETING of Pembrokeshire County Council on Thursday (Oct 17), councillors were told that there are no current plans to serve insect protein to school children in the county.

Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Guy Woodham, has squashed any idea that the local authority will serve minced meat made from crickets as part of school dinners.

Cllr Woodham’s comments followed a question posed by a member of the public at the Council’s meeting on Thursday, October 17.

Guy Woodham’s answer could not have been clearer.

He told those in the Chamber and those watching on the webcast that the Council had no plans to be involved in the rollout of VEXO (the protein product derived from insects) into school meals. Cllr Woodham added that the Council did not have a contract with VEXO’s supplier to provide that product..

The issue arose following a comment by Dr Sarah Beynon at a biodiversity forum, which suggested that insect protein was a nutritious alternative to regular animal protein and could be rolled out into school meals.

However, Guy Woodham said he could not comment on what was said at the forum because the Council did not participate in it.

Cllr Woodham added that VEXO would be considered a “novel food” subject to authorisation by the Food Standards Authority before being used for human consumption.

As a local authority, the Council would not be able to prevent the lawful use of such products provided the FSA authorised them.

He concluded by reiterating his initial answer: Pembrokeshire County Council has no plans to be involved in the rollout of VEXO.

Before the meeting took place, Dr Beynon disputed saying that ‘mince’ would be ‘rolled out’ to schools, stating: “I did not say this, as it is not true. I explained the exciting development of VEXo insect and plant protein mince with over 2,000 Pembrokeshire school children, teachers, social scientists, nutritionists, Welsh Government and Innovate UK, explaining that VEXO Bolognese was due to be offered on school menus in Pembrokeshire in 2020.

“Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic hit during the same week that we were due to finalise the roll-out with Pembrokeshire County Council. Schools were closed, so it did not go ahead. I mentioned that we are looking forward to revisiting this with Pembrokeshire County Council in the future, but did not put a timeframe on it.”

She added: “We would never force anyone to eat anything they didn’t want to. Pupils are never forced to consume a food – during the previous discussions, it would be offered as a choice on the menu.

“Interestingly, 100 per cent of pupils liked VEXo Bolognese and one of the most wonderful outcomes of in-school workshops we ran was that children said it made them want to learn more about sustainability in schools. It also increased the take-up of school meals.”

“As insects, like crustaceans, are arthropods, those allergic to crustaceans may also be allergic to insects. As with any other food, allergen labelling is vital, and all of our insect-based products are labelled appropriately and allergen information provided to groups who visit us in advance.”

“All plant, fungi and livestock foods have the potential to carry pests, parasites and pesticides that can be harmful to humans. The vital stage in eating them is how they are processed or cooked with industry-standard critical control points reached. Insects are no different. Insects farmed for human food are anaesthetized before being killed (frozen) and are cooked at high temperatures. Full microbiology testing is carried out.

“The fact that the resultant products have a stable ambient shelf life for around two years shows just how low-risk the food product is. Insects used in Bug Farm Foods’ food products are farmed in UK insect farms with the very highest biosecurity standards. Because the industry is relatively new to the UK and Europe, the legislation around farming them has been developed with modern understanding of biosecurity and animal welfare, meaning that it is some of the most up-to-date in the world.

“VEXo was specifically developed, here in Pembrokeshire, to tackle issues related to childhood obesity and nutrition gaps in growing young people. It contains about 80 per cent less saturated fat than a conventional meat-based Bolognese and is high in iodine, which is often low in teenage girls’ diets. Insects contain highly digestible protein, contain all essential amino acids, heme iron and a really good ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.”

WALES’ new post-16 education minister revealed plans for an emergency fund for universities amid concerns about an estimated £100m shortfall.

Vikki Howells was quizzed in the Senedd about reports of a rescue plan for universities in England, including a £1bn bail-out and fee rises as well as cuts to courses and staff.

Pressed about the Welsh Government’s own plans, she said: “I’m aware that the UK Government has this emergency fund that they’re bringing into play.

“Medr is going to have its own funds to support our institutions here in Wales.”

Medr, a new body which was established in August, now oversees all post-16 education and research – including colleges and sixth forms unlike its predecessor, Hefcw

Ms Howells stressed the emergency funding, which she did not put a number on, would seek to transform the sector as well as bail out universities in financial peril.

She told the Senedd: “Although we know this is a difficult time, and the sector needs to find ways to reduce costs, we don’t believe there is any Welsh institution that is at risk of failure.”

Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, was not so sure as he warned of a funding crisis facing Welsh universities.

He said: “I believe, if the [Welsh] Government doesn’t take urgent action, we could lose these very special institutions – a number of them.”

Mr Campbell added: “Considering the financial hole that faces many of our Welsh universities, thought to be £100m, the pressure is growing on you as a government to work with our universities to find solutions that will protect jobs, students and our wider economy.”

Calling for clarity on the Welsh Government’s position, the former lecturer warned: “Let’s not beat around the bush – Welsh universities face serious challenges and the clock is ticking.”

Ms Howells, a former assistant head of sixth form at Caerphilly’s St Cenydd Comprehensive, said the pressures are not unique to Wales “but across the UK and even internationally”.

She pointed out that Welsh Government funding makes up about 10% of the total, saying many of the factors fueling financial pressures on universities are outside ministers’ control.

Ms Howells emphasised that universities are autonomous, “so they will be taking their own decisions, albeit with an input and a steer from myself and from Medr”.

Tom Giffard, the Conservatives’ shadow education secretary, warned the number of people going to university has fallen to a 15-year low.

Mr Giffard shined a light on “stark” statistics showing 33% of 18-year-olds in Wales applied to university this year, compared with 41.9% for the UK as a whole.

He warned of a 1% drop in the number of people pursuing apprenticeships, saying it is worrying to see fewer and fewer people choosing both routes.

Mr Giffard, a former teaching assistant in a Welsh-language primary school, raised concerns about Medr’s priorities being too broad, a lack of targets, and unfilled posts.

Ms Howells, who was appointed last month, pointed to non-repayable grants for students from the poorest households but she accepted that participation needs to improve.

In a statement to the Senedd on October 15, the minister outlined her priorities for post-16 education including a focus on three Cs: collaboration, cooperation and community.

Urging people to respond to a consultation on Medr’s strategic plan, she described the new arm’s-length body as a major step towards a vision of a more coherent post-16 sector.

John Griffiths, a Labour backbencher who represents Newport East, raised ColegauCymru’s calls for a national vocational education and training strategy.

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan warned of declining numbers of pupils in sixth forms in the past few years, with no sixth-form provision at all in any school in some counties.

Labour’s Mike Hedges, who was a lecturer in Pontypridd for 27 years, welcomed the minister’s appointment and “more importantly” the creation of the position itself.

Rhys ab Owen, an independent, cautioned that a fourth C, Cymraeg, was missing from the minister’s statement as he raised concerns that 99% of college training is in English.

Adam Price, the former MP and Plaid Cymru leader, criticised a decision to close a Coleg Sir Gâr campus, bringing an end to nearly 100 years of further education in Ammanford.