Sources of funding for living costs This year, multiple selections were allowed for the first time which provides a clearer picture of the sources of funding that applicants intend to use to meet their living costs, however it does mean that the data is not directly comparable with previous years. On average, applicants selected two sources of funding. Just over half of applicants intend to draw on family support, rising to 70% among international applicants. Around half of UK applicants intended to use the maintenance loan. Expected income from employment was relatively high at 45%, but much lower than the proportion of applicants who indicated that they intended to work during term time, suggesting some uncertainty about term-time employment. State school applicants were more likely to draw on income from employment and maintenance loans/grants compared with their peers. Among UK applicants, 25% intend to live at home with their family. This has risen notably among socioeconomic groups AB, from 18% to 22%. Among those who have qualified for free school meals 29% are planning to live at home. Those who intended to live in university or privately run halls were more likely to rely on family support than those who intended to live at home, which underlines the importance of the role of parents in student accommodation. THEMATIC ANALYSIS FINANCE Figure 5: Which of the following do you plan to use to help cover your living costs while at university? Family support e.g. money from parents 53% 45% Income from employment 40% Maintenance loan or grant 26% Scholarship/studentship 20% Bank loan or overdraft 13% Income from apprenticeship 1% Other (please specify) 2% Don’t know Unite Students | Applicant Index Report 15 INTRODUCTION THEMATIC ANALYSIS FINANCE METHODOLOGY TOPICAL ISSUES BACK TO THEMES