Supporting students with financial issues

Forms and information about student funding, bursaries and scholarships are provided by the Student Financial Support Unit.

General overview

Student finance

The Student Financial Support Unit provides advice and information on all aspects of student finance. Our information about student funding may be of particular interest to admissions tutors.

Although we cannot give detailed information about a specific case to anyone but the applicant, we try to assist supervisors and departmental administrators as much as possible when their students require assistance.

Correspondence with Local Education Authorities

Student finance regulations are highly complex and subject to frequent change. We therefore handle correspondence with Local Education Authorities (LEAs) regarding student loans and course transfers.

Departments are strongly discouraged from communicating with LEAs directly.

If you have any queries about student finance, please contact student-financial-support@york.ac.uk.

Students in financial difficulty

Hardship funds

Students should contact us as early as possible. We can administer hardship funds for both undergraduates and graduates.

In addition, undergraduates can apply for loans from The University of York Students' Union in cases of extreme hardship.

The Graduate Students' Association has a Trust Fund which provides the same facility for graduates.

Debt counselling

Complex cases requiring representation or debt counselling should be referred to us.

Budgeting advice

We also provide students with money advice if they feel spending is out of control.

Please email student-financial-support@york.ac.uk if a student is struggling financially.

Students owing debts to the University

Inform the Fees Office

Students must fully inform the Fees Office of any difficulties they are experiencing in paying debts to the University.

Procedure for students in debt to the University

Students may incur debts to the University by failing to make many different kinds of payments, including tuition fees, residential accommodation charges, library fines, late payment fees, late registration fees, repayment of loans, and disciplinary fines.
Expected dates of payment for all fees, charges, loans and fines are given to students in advance. Students are notified of payment dates in a variety of ways, eg Essential Financial Information Booklet, offer letters, accommodation application packs, information about registration arrangements, or clearly stated on any invoice sent to them.
If a debt has not been paid by the due date, the Finance Department contacts the student by standard letter or email. This communication shows the outstanding amount, indicates where information about any sources of financial assistance may be found, gives a contact name and telephone number in the Finance Department, and specifies what action may be taken if the problem is not addressed.
If payment is still not made, or if the student has not contacted the Finance Department to discuss the situation, a final reminder is sent. This again gives a contact name and informs the student of the action that may be taken if payment or contact is not made. Supervisors may be contacted by the Finance Department if no response is received from the student. It is therefore important that departments keep supervisors' details up-to-date on Student Record System.
The reason for informing supervisors, if necessary, is because they may know of any problems contributing to non-payment, and because the student's financial difficulties may affect his or her academic performance.
If a supervisor has occasion to discuss a debt to the University with a supervisee, it is important that the student is informed of the seriousness of the situation and encouraged to contact the Finance Department immediately. Students and supervisors should be aware that failure to pay or contact the Finance Department may result, in the last resort, in suspension from the University. Supervisors are not expected to give students financial advice and should note that any special arrangements regarding the making of payments must be agreed by and formalised with the Fees Office. Confidential financial advice and information about Hardship Funds is available from the Student Financial Support Unit.
If there is no response to the final letter from the Finance Department, the case may be referred to the Student Support Services Manager, who may invite the student to discuss the situation, with a view to resolving it. If no resolution is achieved, the student may be suspended. This decision is confirmed in writing in a letter to the student from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
Senate can prevent students who are in debt to the University from sitting examinations, withhold their degree results, or, in the case of finalists, withhold the conferment of their degrees. Boards of Studies will be advised of these cases in advance of final meetings of Boards of Examiners. Continuing students who are in debt to the University will not be permitted to re-register for the following year.

If you have any questions about students owing debts to the University, email student-financial-support@york.ac.uk.

Information for staff