As university students return to classes this week, a new poll shows that two-thirds feel worrying about expenses will significantly affect their grades and their quality of life.

As many as 57 per cent of students say they plan to work during the school year in order to help pay the bills.

Just over half of students, or 51 per cent, say they will seek out jobs or find more work if money is tight, though 37 per cent feel that having a job wouldn't be enough and they would also have to cut back on expenses such as dining out, shopping and entertainment.

Being unable to find adequate employment can negatively affect their grades and stress levels, said Bronwyn Rice of McGill University's scholarship and aid department.

"They don't feel they can always ask their parents for the money, or they can't find a job. Some of the students don't have the French here in Montreal, so that causes a problem," said Rice.

"They overestimate what they can make. They overestimate how many hours they can work in a week - and that cuts into their school time," she said.

Debt is also a factor for 60 per cent of students, who say they intend to graduate owing money.

Further, 74 per cent don't use a budget, and 52 per cent regularly monitor where their money is going.

The poll, conducted by Ipsos Reid between June 24 and June 29, surveyed 531 Canadian new and returning post-secondary students under the age of 25.