Freshers' Guide - Money

Freshers' Guide

Here's some advice from Tom for you to treasure:

Below I've gathered together some financial information which should be of some use to you. If there's anything you're unclear about then feel free to email me at thomas.davies <at> merton.ox.ac.uk and I'll be more than happy to help.

Battels
This is a silly Oxford word for bills – mainly for accommodation. Merton is very reasonable as far as the cost of accommodation goes, and the JCR works hard to limit increases in the cost of accommodation. As a welcome treat, you will find your first Battel in your pigeon hole when you arrive – this needs to be paid by the Friday of 1st Week, either by cheque or by card at the Bursary. If there are genuine reasons why you can't pay by that time then it is important to contact the Finance Bursar (clifford.webb <at> merton.ox.ac.uk) as soon as possible.
Laundry
There are laundry facilities under the JCR and at Rose Lane 5. Washing and drying each cost £1.25 a time; you will need a laundry card which you can obtain from the machine in the post room. To top up the card, you'll need to use the other machine in the post room, but be aware that this only takes £5 and £10 notes. Notify the Lodge at once if you have any problem with the machines.
Photocopying
The photocopier can be found in the basement of the OWL Library, which you'll need a photocopy card to use. To obtain one of these, just ask one of the lovely ladies at the Bursary.
Book grants
The College has a grant which repays half the cost of any books (up to £100) you have had to buy as part of your academic studies (so the maximum grant is £50). Make sure that you keep all of your receipts (including invoices if ordered from Amazon, for example), so that you can take full advantage of this! There is a Book Grant form to complete, and the deadline is in the 6th Week of Trinity term.
Vacation residence and grants
The College may be able to give you a room during the vacation if you really need it and ask very nicely in good time. It may also be possible to get an academic grant to cover the cost of accommodation if you are staying up for purely academic reasons. Many of you will need to stay up longer in the first year, mainly at the end of Trinity (the third term) for exams! Details will be circulated by email nearer the time.
Travel grants
College has a grant for travel relevant to your course, such as language exchanges, research and academic conferences. Applications should be made to the Senior Tutor by Wednesday of 5th Week of the term preceding the proposed travel. Details are usually circulated before the start of each term.
Hardship fund
If you ever need financial assistance, then the College, the University, or the government may be able to provide funds to help you out. If you'd like to apply for a hardship grant or loan, contact the Chaplain at simon.jones <at> merton.ox.ac.uk. The relevant forms for applications to these different bodies can be obtained from the Tutorial Office in Fellows 4. There is also an Oxford Bursary scheme, for which you will be automatically submitted by your LEA if you applied for a student loan; if not, email oxfordopportunity <at> admin.ox.ac.uk for more details on how to apply.
JCR funds
The JCR has a large budget which can be spent on pretty much anything, from pool tables to an ITV monkey, so long as it benefits the JCR. As treasurer, it's a part of my job to make sure that this money is being well spent – on what the JCR wants. To that end, motions to alter spending are periodically introduced and debated in JCR. Perhaps more importantly, if there's anything that we're not spending money on that you think we should, then please do get in touch (or submit a motion).

Don't Panic: You'll be shown where the Bursary is, and helped with all the official stuff, in Freshers' Week – and if you have any questions before then, ask one of the Exec via e-mail or on Facebook.