Financial Support
FAQs
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General funding questions
How long will it take for my student loan and/or grant to come through?
In your first year you must have completed on-line registration and attended the University registration event. The first payment should then be in your bank account (as advised to Student Finance) within three-five working days. Second and subsequent year students should complete on-line registration and the first instalment should be in the advised bank account within a couple of days of the start of term. If this does not happen please check that you have received a 'Your Payment Timetable' and 'University or College Payment Advice' letters from Student Finance, and if you have, then visit a Student Services Centre for help and advice. If you have not yet received your letters then please wait until received before contacting staff for assistance; unless you are struggling financially.
How do I get a Core Bursary?
Am I eligible for the Core Bursary?
If you are a full-time, Home student*, studying for a first Undergraduate degree and you have been financially assessed by Student Finance who have calculated your household income as below £42,600 p.a. for new students and £48,000 p.a. for continuing students , then you should be eligible for the
University Core Bursary in 2012/13.
How do I get my bursary?
The University Core Bursary is paid in two equal instalments in December and February - providing that you input your bank details in the relevant Bursary section on the 'ME' tab in the Student Portal.
What Bursaries and Scholarships does the University offer?
You can find out more from the
Bursaries and Scholarships web page following the links for Prospective student 2012 , Freshers or Second year and beyond. Also check out the web pages for the School you wish to attend (eg Economics).
Are there any grants /bursaries for postgraduate students?
Where do international students go for financial support?
International students experiencing financial problems must, in the first instance, see a member of the International Office Student Support staff. You can visit them at the International Office on Jubilee Campus or call to arrange an appointment to see the staff member in the Student Services Centre, Portland Building any weekday afternoon during term time.
* A 'home' student is a person who meets certain UK residence criteria. The same conditions apply to eligibility for student funding from Student Finance
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Student Services Centre/s
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Where is the Student Services Centre located?
The main Student Services Centre is located on B Floor, Portland Building, University Park. There are Centres offering a reduced hours service in the Amenities Centre, Jubilee and the Main Building, Sutton Bonington. See the
Student Services Centre/s web page for more detailed information including opening hours.
I am based at Sutton Bonington Campus, is there any financial support and advice here?
Yes; we offer an appontment only service at Sutton Bonington Student Services Centre every Monday during termtime, from 12.45pm - 2.45pm. Just go into the Centre or call us to make an appointment.
What is a Financial Support Drop-in session, and when and where are they held?
Please see our
talk to us web page for further information and dates and times for all Drop-in sessions.
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Tuition Fees
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How much are tuition fees?
Can I pay my tuition fee in instalments?
If you have taken out a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance then this is paid directly to the University and you do not need to worry about instalments etc. However if you are responsible for paying the fee yourself then you can pay in instalments.
Check out the web page for more detailed information including deadline dates for payment. Please call staff in the Tuition Fees Office, located in the Student Services Centre, Portland Building, University Park, if you have anu queries. Telephone +44 (0)115 9513710.
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Access to Learning Fund (ALF)
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What is the Access to Learning Fund (ALF)?
The
Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is Government money distributed by the Financial Support Team at the University to students in financial need, in the form on non-repayable grants. Eligibility for an award is assessed on an individual basis, and money may be granted to either help towards a shortfall between income and expenditure, or alternatively to help towards an unexpected essential cost (eg repairs to essential household equipment). Students must have taken out their full Student Loan entitlement before
applying for the ALF.
How long will it take for my application to the Access to Learning Fun (ALF) to be assessed?
Once we have received your application with ALL relevant supporting documents, it may take up to four working weeks for the team to assess and reply to you with the outcome.
Can EU students apply for ALF?
ALF is for 'HOME' students only, but if you are a new EU student in September 2012, and are studying part time on an undergraduate course you may be entitled to support with your tuition fee, through the
Additional Fee Support Scheme. Please contact the team to discuss on +44 (0)115 8232071.
Can part-time students apply for ALF?
How do I apply for ALF?
Application forms can be
downloaded from here, picked up from any of the Student Services Centres; the Student Advice and Representation Centre and the Medical School Faculty Office. You can also
email to request a form or call us on +44 (0)115 8323071 and we will post a form out to you. Complete all questions on the application form and return it to us, using the address on the form, with relevant supporting documents.
How much money might I get from the ALF?
If your application to the Access to Learning Fund is successful awards range from £100 to (in exceptional cases) a maximum of £3,500.
Can a postgraduate student apply to the Access to Learning Fund?
A postgraduate student can apply to the
Access to Learning Fund. However the fund cannot be used to meet the cost of tuition fees and it is assumed that postgraduate students have made provision for a basic level of financial support. Contact the team for further information on +44 (0)115 8232071. Postgraduates (normally domiciled in England or Wales) on a part-time course with a low income may be eligible to apply to the
Revis fund for help towards the cost of tuition fees.
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Emergency financial assistance
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Does the University offer any emergency financial assistance?
If you are experiencing a financial emergency as a result of unexpected circumstances we may be able to help you with a small interest free loan from the
Student Crisis Fund.
What is the Student Crisis Fund?
The fund provides small interest free loans to students who are experiencing financial difficulties because of a substantial and unexpected change in their circumstances after admission to the University. In some circumstances small, non-repayable grants may be made. Contact Financial Support to discuss your circumstances further on +44 (0)115 8232071.
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Welfare benefits and miscellaneous
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As a full-time student am I entitled to any welfare benefits?
Lone parents, students with a disability and student couples with children may be entitled to welfare benefits. Please contact the Student Advice and Representation Centre (SARC) for further information on +44 (0)115 8468730.
My bank is charging me lots of money which is taking me over my overdraft limit and then they charge me more. What can I do?
Contact your bank to discuss the problem charges with them. If you get no joy then go to the Student Advice and Representation Centre where staff will help you draft a letter to ask for the charges to be refunded. If the bank charges are as a result of ongoing financial difficulties you may wish to apply to the Access to Learning Fund (
see above).
I am not managing my money at all well. Can you help?
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If we have not been able to answer your question then please email it to the team at financialsupport@nottingham.ac.uk .