There are A LOT of forms and general bits of responsible stuff to be sorted in fresher's week and for the 'numerically challenged' leave these until you get here because there will be a form-filling session to work through everything.
At the beginning of the term you'll get a college bill to your email inbox. You can pay it by cheque, debit card or online. There is a deadline but if you are one of the lucky people out of favour with Student Finance's ability to give out loans on time, you won't be expected to pay until there is money in your account.
Charges made to your college card include:
- Hall, wine, formal, library fines, printing charges, society things/dinners.
- Kitchen Fixed Charge (KFC). This is used to help maintain the kitchens and facilities to maintain low prices and quality food in hall. If you have special dietary requirements and so don't eat in hall you can speak to your tutor to get a discount.
- Rent which varies according to where you live and includes charges for electricity and internet connection.
Prepare to spend a bit more in freshers' week than the average week because you'll be paying out for a number of one-off things such as your laundry card and club or society membership fees. (Be warned if you are interested in becoming a member of the Cambridge Union Society which hosted speakers such as Stephen Fry, James Watson (one of the discoverers of DNA) and Julian Assange (founder of WikiLeaks) last year, lifetime membership is just shy of £150! However, there is a slight discount in Fresher's Week).
If you have any problems with your bill, speak with David Graves (dlg23@cam.ac.uk)
Supplementary income includes College Bursaries and Grants. There are lots of grants available in Cambridge such as the Newton Bursary System which offers everyone with an income of up to £60,000 some financial support. There is also a Hardship Fund for students who get into short term financial difficulties.
We are lucky that we also have the option of working at the bar, which is pretty relaxed and sociable and a good way of getting an extra tenner straight in your pocket. Also, if you keep your eye out in the pigeon hole room, people are often willing to pay you for your time if you participate in questionnaires and surveys.