Cost of Living Support
Don’t let financial worries get in the way of your studies. We are here to provide advice and support with accessing funding options that may be available to help you.
As well as that, we’ve gathered together some information below about the things we, our Students’ Association, and our partners, have in place to support you through the cost of living increases.
Support on Campus
The Breakfast Club is open to all students from 8.30-9.30am, Tuesday to Thursday, at each of our four campuses during term time. Through the Breakfast Club you can access a mixture of items including tea, coffee, fruit juice, breakfast bars, fruit, bagels and toast, all free of charge. Find out more.
There are community fridges at all of our campuses offering a range of refrigerated and dry foods free to any student who needs it. The fridges are filled regularly with stock donated by local supermarkets and providers. Find out more.
The student-run Mezz Café at Milton Road Campus and Hub Café at Granton Campus offers students a hot lunch at a low cost.
Mezz Café at Milton Road Campus
The Mezz Café at Milton Road Campus is now open an additional day and has extended its offer to include breakfast rolls and homemade sandwiches.
The Mezz Café is now open from 10am until 1.30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and offers soup, sandwiches and savoury and sweet baked products. Breakfast rolls will be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The Mezz Café is located within the Club building at Milton Road Campus.
Hub Café at Granton Campus
Our Professional Cookery and Hospitality team has also opened up the Hub Café which is located within the Hub at Granton Campus and will offer a variety of breakfast and lunch options. The Hub Café is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am until 1.30pm.
Microwaves are available in the canteen and café areas at our campuses for students to heat their food whilst on campus. Find out more.
Our Students' Association has teamed up with the Edinburgh Food Project, introducing designated foodbank donation points across our campuses to help support those in need. Through this partnership, the College can also refer students to receive support from the charity which offers debt advice, mental health support and benefits guidance too. Find out more.
Each campus is home to a Swap Shop where students can access pre-loved free clothing, books and accessories and where you can also donate any items that you no longer use so they can find a new home.
College gyms are available at our Sighthill and Granton campuses and our premium leisure facility, The Club, is based at Milton Road. Memberships are available at a discounted rate for students. Find out more.
We have salons at our Granton and Milton Road campuses offering haircuts and treatments at discounted rates. Find out more.
Free period products are available across all of our campuses. You can also arrange for these products to be delivered to your home. Find out more.
Transport Support
Students aged under 22 who have a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot card can update their card to access free bus travel. Find out more.
The College is a member of Liftshare which means that you can join our online Liftshare community to find fellow students to share a car with to get to campus – saving money on travel costs. By sharing a journey, you’ll also be helping to the environment as well as money! Find out more.
Help with Finances
Find out about Funding for course fees on the Funding and Fees section of our website.
Care Experienced Students’ Bursary – If you are Care Experienced, you may be able to apply for funding to support your studies. Find out more.
There may be additional funding you can apply for to get help with mortgage or rent payments, childcare, disability support or general living costs. Contact us for more information on the options available.
Other useful information:
- Help with budgeting – Student Information Scotland has a handy budget and funding calculator to help you with a breakdown of how much you’ll roughly need to live on while at College.
- Find out where to get help in Edinburgh if you are worrying about the cost of living on the Edinburgh City Council website.
- Find out where to get help in Midlothian if you are worrying about the cost of living.
- Find out where to get help with the cost of living in East Lothian.
- Need help with your energy bills, you may be able to get support with energy costs. Find out more on the Scottish Government website.
- If you live in East Lothian, find out how to get help with your household expenses through The Community Windpower Energy Fund.
- Scottish Child Payment – You could get a weekly payment of £25 for every child you look after who’s under 16 years of age. Find out more about the Scottish Child Payment.
- Adult Disability Payment – is available to help you if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life. Find out more about the Adult Disability Payment.
- Care Experienced Students’ Bursary – If you are Care Experienced, you may be able to apply for funding to support your studies.
- For information on other benefits that may be available to you, visit the Social Security Scotland website or Scottish Government website.