Students across the UK are increasingly struggling to afford basic living expenses, with many skipping meals and taking on multiple jobs to manage rising costs, according to a recent report. A survey by Save the Student found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of students occasionally miss meals to save money, while 9% turned to food banks during the 2025/26 academic year. Over one in four (28%) students hold at least two jobs, and almost half (46%) have considered dropping out of university due to financial difficulties. The average monthly expenditure for university students is £1,146, but they face an average shortfall of £467 each month, highlighting the growing gap between what students earn and what they need to live on. The financial strain has left over three in four (77%) students worried about repaying their student loans, and more than nine in 10 (91%) believe changes are needed to the current repayment system. A report by the Commons Treasury Committee in July urged the government to reconsider the three-year freeze on the salary threshold for student loan repayments. Currently, graduates will repay 9% of their income above £29,385, a threshold that will remain unchanged until 2030. Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the committee, called on the government to “reconsider” the freeze, pointing out that students are already dealing with high housing costs and uncertain future pensions. Tom Allingham from Save the Student emphasized the need for increased maintenance funding to keep up with inflation, as current loans are insufficient for basic living costs. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, encouraged students in financial difficulty to reach out to their universities for support, including hardship funds, bursaries, and discounted meal plans. Meanwhile, Tom Gordon, a Liberal Democrat MP, has proposed a review of the student finance system in England, citing his own student loan debt of over £65,000 and concerns from medical professionals who are hesitant to take extra shifts due to financial pressure. The findings come from Save the Student’s National Student Money Survey, which collected responses from 1,419 undergraduate students between May and August. The survey underscores the deepening financial crisis among students and the urgent need for policy changes to address the growing disparity between student income and living costs.