A group of York students has won the opportunity to have their very own I-phone application developed after winning The App Challenge final, held at the Ron Cooke Hub on Wednesday, January 18.
YUSU Welfare officer Bob Hughes has warned students to be vigilant after a student loans phishing scam has been revealed.
Her Majesty the Queen will be visiting York on Maundy Thursday, 5th April, as part of the 800th anniversary of York’s Charter for the traditional “Royal Maundy” ceremony.
A flood caused by a heating system “failure” forced the university IT services to shut down many essential systems on Sunday night, causing problems for many students on the eve of their exams and assignment due-dates.
According to the charity’s latest figures, the average person in York seeking help with their debts was £6 short of the amount needed to cover even their basic living expenses each month – and the charity has warned that the added pressures of Christmas will push many further into the red.
Students are particularly vulnerable, the charity added, as they take on student loans as well as other forms of borrowing money.
CCCS spokesperson Matt Hartley said: "People often just think about student loans when talking about student debt - but debts owed on credit cards, loans and other types of unsecured borrowing can quickly build up while you are at university and it’s easy to graduate with a serious unsecured debt problem.
"For many students university is the first time when they will have managed their own finances, and it can take a bit of getting used to. It's important to set yourself a realistic budget each term and make sure you stick to it. Be very cautious about taking out any form of credit and do your research if you do decide to borrow.
“In particular, I would urge students to be extremely cautious about payday loans - these are short-term, high-interest loans that can be applied for online or via mobile phone. They may sound attractive if you need some short-term cash to get you through the week but just because you can apply for them easily doesn't mean you should take the decision lightly, as high interest rates and charges mean that this kind of borrowing can quickly spiral out of control.
"I would encourage any student at York who is struggling to cope with their debts to seek free advice as early as possible. Crucially, it's important not to turn to one of the many fee-charging, profit-driven debt management companies that you see advertised on TV as the high fees that they charge only add to your debt burden. Instead, you can always turn to debt charities such as CCCS, Citizens Advice and National Debtline for free help and support."
A total of 962 people in the York area contacted CCCS last year for advice, with an average of £20,734 owed on credit cards, personal loans and other kinds of unsecured debt. The charity recently warned of its concern over personal debt in York after revealing that the number of people contacting it for help in the area had risen by 30% in just two years.
CCCS’s new figures reveal the extent of the challenge facing many struggling households who cannot afford to meet their living expenses and have no money available to repay debt or save for the future.
The charity is warning that high inflation and rising bills in the period since the data was collected mean that the situation is likely to be even worse for families in York in the run up to this Christmas.
CCCS provides free and confidential debt advice via its telephone helpline (0800 138 1111) and anonymous online debt counselling tool, CCCS Debt Remedy, at www.cccs.co.uk .
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