Can I Get Paid For Activity Related To My Student Group?

SO, CAN I GET PAID?

If you're part of a Student Group, you might be wondering whether you can get paid for the time and effort you put in. The short answer? No—Student Groups are non-profit, which means no one (including Officers) can pocket money for their work. But don’t worry, you can claim back money for legitimate expenses!

This isn’t just a policy—it’s the law. The rules around student groups are based on UK charity and tax regulations. If a student were to receive direct payment for their work within their own Student Group, it could legally classify them as an employee, which comes with tax and employment law implications. To keep things fair, the Student Group structure ensures that everyone remains a volunteer and only out-of-pocket expenses can be reimbursed.

For more details, refer to Student Group Agreement 9.4.1, which outlines the non-profit status of Student Groups and the limitations on payments to members.

GETTING YOUR EXPENSES COVERED

While you can’t get paid for your time, you can be reimbursed for any necessary out-of-pocket expenses. This includes things like:

• Travel costs
• Postage and phone costs (if working from home)
• Essential equipment (e.g. protective clothing)

To claim your expenses, make sure you keep your receipts—no receipt, no reimbursement!

CAN I GET PAID FOR PROVIDING A SERVICE?

If you're thinking about offering your skills—like designing posters, teaching a class, or DJ-ing an event—there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You can’t get paid for services you provide to your own Student Group.
• You can volunteer your services and still claim expenses.
• If your Student Group needs a service (e.g. a photographer for an event), they can hire another Student Group or an external supplier.

If hiring externally, the Treasurer needs to make sure the group has enough funds before committing to payment. It's also a good idea to get at least three price quotes to ensure value for money.

For further guidance, see Student Group Agreement 5.2.6, which covers restrictions on employing individuals and the process for hiring external services.

WHAT ABOUT HIRING INSTRUCTORS?

If your Student Group needs to bring in an instructor (like a dance teacher or fitness coach), check out [this article] for the correct process and guidance.

WHAT IF I’M SELF-EMPLOYED?

If you offer a service outside of your own Student Group (e.g. photography, coaching, graphic design), you can get paid, but you need to be aware of tax rules:

• You’ll need to sign an Acknowledgement of request for small value payment by bank transfer form, confirming you’re responsible for paying any tax due.
• There’s a £1,000 HMRC trading allowance, so if you earn under that from self-employed activities, you don’t need to declare it.
• For more info, check the GOV.UK website.

For additional details on financial procedures, refer to the Student Group Finance Manual, Section 2, which outlines spending procedures and supplier selection.

WHAT ABOUT GIFTS?

If your Student Group is purchasing items to be used as gifts, please get in contact for the correct process and guidance whilst we write our new article.