The Students’ Union is run by students for students – that means we’re completely dedicated to representing students at Staffs and helping provide what they want from their student experience. That covers everything from advice and support, great venues and events to representation, sports clubs, activities and even a dedicated student media service.
We’re constantly striving to ensure the best possible experience for all students at Staffs and free membership of the Students’ Union is automatic on enrolling at Staffordshire University. That means our students get to have their say in what we do and how we do it.
Staffordshire University Students’ Union is a democratic organisation, working entirely for the benefit of students.
The Students' Union sponsors and supports a diverse range of student-run groups. These include both competitive and recreational sports groups, special interest groups, academic societies and some that we are unable to categorise! You can find out contact details and any info the groups have posted by following the links below.
The Student Advice Centre (SAC) offers confidential and impartial advice on a variety of issues, such as: student finance, academic affairs, student housing, debt management etc. In addition, there are a number of online self help materials which you can access from the Advice Guide.Find out more...
Academic Reps can raise issues when something is wrong or tell the University what works for you and your student experience. If you need advice regarding your course then contact your Academic Rep.Find out more...
Money Doctors is part of the Students’ Union Student Advice Centre. It is free, independent, impartial and confidential. Click on the logo to see how we can help you keep your finances healthy and make your money achieve what you want it to.Find out more...
You can feel safe in the knowledge that the University has a Cop Shop with a friendly campus police officer who is around to answer any questions. You can speak to him about anything from the security of your property, your personal safety or to report a crime.Find out more...
LRV is the Stoke Campus nightclub and holds our regular clubnights such as the ever popular Gobble on a Wednesday night and Super Friday. LRV is the Union’s largest venue with 1300 capacity.Find out more...
Legends and The Lounge are the Union's Beaconside campus venues. The Lounge is a recently refurbished, stylish bar serving great food and coffee as well as the traditional bar refreshments seven days a week. Legends is the Stafford Campus's nightclub and holds our weekly clubnight Mukky Duck as well as regular live music performances. Find out more...
The Ember Lounge is Staffordshire University Students' Union second Stoke Venue. Winner of Best Late Night Venue Midlands and Wales and a Best Bar None award, the Ember Lounge offers something for everybody. Whether it's an early morning espresso to get you ready for the day, a great value lunch or a night of cocktails and entertainment, we aim to deliver. Find out more...
The Squeeze Box has a delicious menu for both breakfast and lunch. For those wanting something healthy, yet tasty, Squeeze Box caters for all with options big and small. There is also a wide variety of hot drinks, with Fairtrade products being used where possible. Find out more...
Verve is Stoke’s newest venue offering students a funky place to relax and enjoy a tasty burger and the creamiest milkshakes. Open all day, students can pop in for food and drink, listen to some music, catch up on the latest magazines and just take a break from the world outside. Find out more...
The Students’ Union is a student-led organisation, and in that spirit endeavours to hire students and harness their skills where possible.
The latest video updates from the officer team about their work on behalf of the students at staffordshire University
The Shopping Cart will tell you what products you have purchased.
To find out how much you could be entitled to financially, why not use our Financial Calculator.
Complete a Student Finance form on-line by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance or contact Student Finance England directly on 0845 300 5090 if you would like to complete and submit a paper copy. Once you have submitted this form, you will be assessed by Student Finance England for the financial support that you are entitled to. Prior to starting each following year of study, you will need to complete another Student Finance form.
If you wish to apply to be assessed for the Childcare Grant, you will also need to complete a CCG1 form which Student Finance England will send you if you have said on your Student Finance form that you have registered or accredited childcare costs. At some point during the academic year, you will also be asked to complete a CCG2 form to confirm the estimated childcare costs you gave on the CCG1 form.
If you wish to apply to be assessed for the Disabled Student Allowance, you will need to complete a DSA1 form which you can obtain from Student Finance England.
To apply for the Social Work Bursary, download a form from the NHS Business Services Authority website. Do this as early as possible prior to starting your course.
Once you have applied to Student Finance England to be assessed for your student finance, they will automatically pass on your details to the University (unless you have ticked the box on the form asking them NOT to do this) so that you can be assessed for a University Bursary. You should then receive a letter from the University a couple of months after you have enrolled on your course advising you whether or not you have been awarded a Bursary and if so, when this will be paid into your bank account. Whether or not you receive a Bursary depends upon your parents household income. The University Information Centre on the first floor of the Flaxman Building on the College Road Campus or the University Information Centre opposite Dolche Vita in the Beacon Building on the Stafford Campus issue the University Bursary letters.
If you are a Nursing Student wanting to apply for any of the types of support listed below, download a form from the NHS Business Services Authority website. www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students Do this as early as possible prior to starting your course.
Degree Nursing students and Seconded Nursing Students can also apply for a Student Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England. See www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Yes, you can apply for financial support up to 9 months from the beginning of each academic year (01st September). However, it is advisable to apply for financial support as early as possible each academic year so that you are assessed in time for the start of the academic year.
This is where Student Finance England looks at your parents/step-parent's/partner's income in order to decide how much financial support you are entitled to. If you parents are separated/divorced, only the income of the parent you live with will be taken into account. You can ask to be "non-income assessed" or "non-means tested" but you will then only be assessed for the tuition fee loan and the part of the student loan that doesn't take your parents/partner's income into account. This means you may miss out on money you may be entitled to as you will not be assessed for a maintenance grant/special support grant, university bursary or parent learning allowance.
For 2012-13 starters, it will calculated using gross (before tax) taxable household income in the 2010-11 tax year (unless the parent/partner is self-employed).
Deductions are then made for any other dependent children and for some types of pension payments (the types are listed on the student finance form). Any parental/partner contribution is based upon this final figure.
NB: If gross income has dropped by 15% or more since the 2010-11 tax year, do inform Student Finance England of this and ask if they will use your parents/partner's income details from the 2010-11 tax year instead.
Your parents income will be ignored if you are classed as an independent student. This applies if you are over 25 OR are married OR have a child (born before the academic year for which you are applying for finance) OR your parents have died Or you are estranged from your parents OR you have supported yourself financially for at least 3 years prior to the start of the course (1st September).
If you are an independent student according to the definition above and are living with a partner, your partner's income will be taken into account.
If you are NOT an independent student according to the definition above and are living with a partner, your parents income will be taken into account until you qualify for independent status.
If you have done previous Higher Education study (of even a few weeks), it is very important that you seek advice prior to beginning or transferring onto a new course as your entitlement to further funding may be affected. If personal difficulties led to you withdrawing, repeating, or transferring onto a different course, it is very important that you make Student Finance England aware of this in writing and provide evidence as this may mean you may be entitled to an additional year's funding.
Once you have been assessed by Student Finance England and/or the NHS Business Services Authority, you will receive a financial assessment form. This will tell you what financial support you’ve been given.
Non-nursing students will also receive a payment schedule from the Student Loans Company. This will state when monies will be paid into your bank account. Nursing students will have this information on the back of their financial assessment form.
Please note: Do keep the documents mentioned above – don’t throw them away. You’ll be amazed at how many people will need to see these over the course of the academic year.
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