An increasing number of university students are asking for financial help despite extra cash in their pockets this year.

Auckland University's student's association looks set to double the funds given out for their hardship grants.

In the first half of this year, they gave out nearly $14,000 of hardship grants compared with all of 2017 when $16,000 was given in total.

There has also been nearly 100 more hardship grant applications to Victoria University of Wellington compared with this time last year.

Meanwhile, Otago University's student's association says the number of students accessing financial support services is around 20 percent higher than last year.

This is all despite $50 extra weekly from the government for student allowance or living costs.

Otago student association's student support manager Sage Burke says it doesn't seem to have made a difference.

"People are not able to build up any sort of contingency or savings, so when they do get an unexpectedly large power bill or doctor's appointment, they just don't have the funds to cover it."

Burke says rent is the major contributing factor.

"That rent is generally a large portion of a person's income. After rent, they might have $50 left over for a week."

Victoria University's student association president Marlon Drake says the cost of living is getting too high.

He says even things like the dentist costs are becoming a problem.

"We've actually got a significant number of applications for assistance with dental costs. Dental costs definitely do creep up on students, and we know students who go multiple years without getting their teeth checked on, which is actually a serious health issue."

Education Minister Chris Hipkins says they have heard concerns from students and families and have taken steps to address the barrier cost is having.