University food poverty: more students skipping meals to save money

In a year when Student Loan repayments have attracted widespread attention, our survey looks at the struggles current students face, including rising food poverty.

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We've published the report for our latest National Student Money Survey, looking at all aspects of university students' finances.

This year, the Student Loan repayment debate has boiled over, with the concerns of students and graduates finally being heard in the media. When we asked students about the repayment system:

• 91% said at least one change should be made to the system
• 77% said they were worried about their repayments, the highest we've ever recorded.

But repayments are far from the only issue with Student Loans.

The Maintenance Loan – and how far short it's fallen of living costs – is once again a major theme of our report, and has been the driving force behind many of these headline findings:

• Loans fall short of spending on living costs by £498 per month
• 28% of respondents said they have two or more jobs
• 85% said at least one aspect of their wellbeing suffered as a result of money worries, with social lives (62%) and mental health (60%) the hardest hit
• Almost half (46%) have considered dropping out of university due to money-related issues.

Perhaps most concerning of all is how many students seem to be suffering from food poverty.

Almost two-thirds of respondents (63%) said they skip meals at least some of the time to save money, including 22% who said they do so "often".

What's more, just under one in 10 (9%) told us they'd used a food bank in the previous 12 months. That figure is very slightly down on 2025 (10%), but is no cause for celebration.

A recent study found 63% of UK universities now operate a food bank, and while we're glad universities are supporting their students, it's unacceptable that student poverty has become so widespread.

One student in our survey said:

[I] can't always afford to eat so go nearly half a week without eating anything and only drinking tap water, that's it.

While another added:

I had to skip so many meals to save money, it significantly impacted my health and required medical attention. Even though I've got more money now, the fear of running out of financial resources makes spending very stressful.

Many other respondents also shared that they either didn't know they were eligible to use food banks, or felt too ashamed to do so:

I feel embarrassed to go [to a food bank] when there [are] people in worse positions than me that need this service more than I do.

If you're struggling to afford food, please know that food banks are open to anyone and everyone who needs them. It's never been tougher to make ends meet at university, and there is no shame in seeking help when you need it.

Expert comments

Tom Allingham, Save the Student's student money expert, said:

This survey serves as a stark reminder that repayment terms are far from the only issue with Student Loans.

While graduates rightly complain about their debts rising well beyond what they originally borrowed, the cruel irony for current students is that it's nowhere near enough in the first place.

Maintenance Loans have always fallen short of living costs, but this has become exponentially worse in recent years. In previous generations, that might have meant skipping one or two nights out or living on baked beans for a few days.

Today, following significant real-terms cuts, almost two-thirds of respondents are skipping meals to save money, over a quarter work two or more jobs, and countless others speak of extreme social isolation due to financial pressures.

The government's pledge to increase funding with forecast inflation will do nothing to fix this, and is simply a continuation of the policy that caused the current crisis. Meanwhile, although we welcome the reintroduction of Maintenance Grants in England, far too little cash will be available to far too few students.

We're calling on the government not to ignore the plight of current students, and to ensure any Student Loan reforms include increasing maintenance funding to catch up with inflation.

Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK (UUK), added:

Any student who is worried about their finances should know they are not alone; they can reach out to their university's student support service which will be able to help. Universities are primed with advice and can assist with essentials; they also have initiatives such as hardship funds, bursaries and discounted meal schemes which can support students.

The government must review its maintenance thresholds in England, to better help students from all backgrounds thrive in their university careers.

Students also need confidence that their degree will set them up for work. That's why Universities UK has launched the Future Jobs Roadmap, making sure every student leaves ready to thrive in a fast-changing jobs market.

If you'd like more information about the National Student Money Survey 2026, including additional commentary and case studies, please contact our press office.

For more insights on all things student money, view our latest survey reports.