Clare Marie White, student

Student Clare Marie White is writing up her history dissertation at University College, London.

Surviving on a low student income she has more than just academic matters to worry about.

Clare Marie is hoping that Chancellor Gordon Brown will recognise the financial difficulties facing Britain's students and earmark more cash for them in the Budget.

"In London you get £4,500 which isn't enough. By about this time of year most students are running out of money. The banks don't necessarily extend your overdraft so you end up having to take out credit cards."

One solution, she says, would be a special London loan to take into account the high cost of living in the city.

Clare Marie pays £65 a week to live in halls of residence. She covers this through part time work.

But beyond that, she has to survive on her student loan and the inevitable bank overdraft.

By the time she finishes her degree later this year, she estimates she'll be £16,000 in debt.

Clare Marie also hopes the Budget might bring more cash for her university.

"The Provost here is always talking about needing extra funding and apparently the new fee system hasn't brought any extra monies in."