Bursary Policy

Introduction

Purpose

1. Northeastern University London (the University) provides a means-tested bursary award (the NU London Bursary) to students who evidence their financial need.
2. This Policy outlines how the University provides the most equitable allocation of available financial resources to the widest range of students.  

Scope

3. Students eligible for the NU London Bursary are;
   1. undergraduate students with a home fees designation as decided by the Admissions Team, and;
   2. from a household with a gross annual income below £63,500.

Overview

4. The NU London Bursary has two bands of support, with additional uplifts for eligible students.
5. The NU London Bursary is disbursed in two equal installments that are paid in the first week of the autumn and spring semesters.
6. The NU London Bursary can be awarded as a reduction in tuition fees, a reduction in housing (where applicable), or as a bank transfer payment in British Pounds Sterling (GBP). The award method is selected by students in their application and applied to both installments.
7. Only one bursary award will be made per student per award cycle.
8. The NU London Bursary is separate to the Northeastern University London Widening Participation Internship Bursary Scheme, details of which can be found here.

Bursary Award Amounts and Uplifts

Levels of Support Offered

9. Successful applicants will have access to one of two bands of support;
   1. Students from a household with an annual income below £31,250 will be assessed as Band 1, and awarded an NU London Bursary of £3,750 per year of study.
   2. Students from a household with an annual income between £31,251 and £63,500 will be assessed as Band 2, and awarded an NU London Bursary of £2,500 per year of study.

Uplifts for eligible students

10. The University recognises additional barriers faced by particular student groups such as refugees, young carers, care-experienced or estranged students and student parents. To support the most vulnerable students, the University will provide an uplift to the NU London Bursary in these instances.
11. Uplifts are awarded on the basis of providing evidence from a relevant professional body or service with knowledge of your circumstance. Only students who evidence they meet the relevant criteria outlined in Annex A will receive the uplift.
12. Students such as young carers, care-experienced or estranged students, or refugees are eligible for an uplift of an additional £1,250. This is split evenly between autumn and spring disbursements.
13. Students who can evidence childcare responsibilities to dependents under 18 will be eligible for an uplift of £500, made as a one-off payment during the second semester of study, in addition to any standard award.
14. When an additional bursary award uplift is applicable, this will be added to the total bursary award regardless of banding.

Eligibility Requirements

Student Registration

15. The NU London Bursary applies to undergraduate students only (excluding higher and degree apprenticeship students).
16. Students must be designated home fee status, as determined by the Admissions Team.
17. Eligibility for the NU London Bursary in previous award periods does not guarantee future eligibility. 

Financial Need

18. As the NU London Bursary is means-tested, students who meet the registration criteria must also show financial need.
19. The University determines a students’ need by an assessment of their annual household income. This is assessed before tax and National Insurance (gross income), with the NU London Bursary awarded to students whose gross household income falls below £63,500.
20. Students’ with households deemed to have significant savings may be ineligible.
21. For the assessment of financial need, the University counts as income;
    1. income from paid work, including PAYE work and/or self employment.
    2. investment income, including from trusts and dividends, rental properties and/or private investments.
    3. state benefits and entitlements (such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit, JSA).
    4. retirement and pension income.

Defining ‘Household’

22. The University recognises that each students’ circumstance is individual and that defining what constitutes a household for a student can be emotive and personal. For the purposes of the NU London Bursary household income assessment, the University defines a student’s household as their usual residence outside of semester-time.
23. When determining the income of this household, the University will categorise a student’s household as being either ‘one-person’, ‘two-person’, or ‘independent’.
24. For the purposes of the NU London Bursary financial assessment, the University would define a one-person household as where;
    1. only one parent and/or guardian lives in the students’ household, and in doing so is deemed to be supporting the student financially. Students may have contact with additional parents and/or guardians, but those parents/guardians do not contribute ongoing financial support to the student.
    2. a student lives with one parent and/or guardian, and another parent and/or guardian contributes irregularly to the financial support of the student (either by giving money directly to the student or to the parent and/or guardian the student lives with). In this instance, this financial support may be factored into the one-person household income instead of requiring a two-person assessment.
25. To accurately assess a one-person household income, bank statements will also be requested from the student to ensure they are not in receipt of undisclosed funds from additional parents or guardians. Any income received by the student through their own work will not be included in the assessment.
26. For the purposes of the NU London Bursary financial assessment, the University would define a two-person household as where;
    1. two parents or guardians live in the students’ household, with both supporting the student financially.
    2. only one parent or guardian lives in the students’ household, and is deemed to be supporting the student financially. Another parent or guardian may also provide regular financial support, either directly to the student or through the students’ other parent/guardian. In this instance, though the parents live in separate dwellings, they are both financially responsible for the student and so both incomes are assessed together as one household.
27. Students who are able to evidence their independent status should apply via the independent student route, and will be assessed on the basis of their own household income.
    1. For the purposes of the NU London Bursary financial assessment, the University defines an independent household in Annex A.
28. The University reserves the right to include any significant financial gifts or contributions from other sources in its income assessment.
29. The University recognises that some students may not feel their individual circumstance is reflected here. Any student who does not feel their household circumstance is reflected in this Policy should seek further guidance from a member of the Financial Student Aid Team before applying.

Application Process and Evidencing

Application

30. Applications are made via our partner platform, Blackbullion. The application form is available here.
31. Applications will open during the first week of the summer semester in the academic year before the NU London Bursary is to be awarded.
32. Applications will close on the last day of the spring semester in the award year.
33. Applications are subject to a two-stage approval process. Applications are initially assessed by the Financial Student Aid team and are subsequently assessed by the Finance Manager. Where both are satisfied that an applicant is eligible and has provided all necessary evidence, the University will make an award.
34. Where all evidence is provided, applications should be assessed within 14 calendar days.
35. Applicants will be sent an email via Blackbullion informing them of the outcome of their application. 

Evidencing

36. All students must provide the relevant financial evidence before the University can assess an application.
37. All evidence collected is treated confidentially and non-judgmentally, but is necessary for ensuring students are not receiving undisclosed financial support that could affect their application.
38. All evidence is submitted digitally. Evidence should be clearly labelled and submitted in PDF format to ensure it is clear and legible.
39. All evidence must be clearly addressed to the parent, guardian or student. The University reserves the right to request additional evidence where this is unclear.
40. All evidence should be from the most recent period prior to application.
    1. When submitting bank statements, applicants should submit the three most recent months’ statements prior to the time of application.
    2. Where proof of monthly income and/or entitlements are required, applicants should submit proof from the three most recent months’ prior to the time of application.
    3. Where proof of periodic or annual income is required, applicants should submit the most recent relevant statement. All periodic or annualised income statements should be from within the previous 12 months.
41. Where an application is made via the one-person route, the following evidence will be required;
    1. three months bank statements for all accounts held by the parent/guardian.
    2. three months proof of income earned by the parent/guardian.
    3. three months bank statements for all accounts held by the student (to ensure they are not in receipt of undisclosed funds).
42. Where an application is made via the two-person route, the following evidence will be required;
    1. three months bank statements for all accounts held by both parent(s) and/or guardian(s).
    2. three months proof of income earned by both parent(s) and/or guardian(s).
43. Where an application is made via the independent route, the following evidence will be required;
    1. three months bank statements for all accounts held by the student.
    2. three months proof of income earned by the student.
    3. proof of independence as outlined in Annex A.
44. Where initial evidence is insufficient to make an assessment, the University reserves the right to request additional evidence.
45. Where the gathering of any of the above evidence would place a students’ health or wellbeing at significant risk, students should contact the Student Support team for advice and guidance.
46. Students will be required to outline the nature of the risk and have this confirmed by Student Support before any accommodations can be applied.

Uplift Evidence

47. Students who wish to be considered for the NU London Bursary uplift should refer to Evidencing Uplift Eligibility for details on what additional evidence is required.

Payment Options

48. Students have the option to to receive the NU London Bursary as:
    1. a reduction in their tuition fee,
    2. a reduction of their University affiliated housing (where applicable), or
    3. a bank transfer payment in GBP.
49. Students must select one payment option and cannot spread their award across different payment options.
50. Where a student selects to be paid in cash, the University will make two payments to the bank account they designate during their application.
51. Where students are staying in University-affiliated accommodation, students may choose to offset their bursary award against their accommodation fees. This reduction will be applied to the students’ account by the Finance Team.
52. For students who elect to receive their bursary award as a tuition fee reduction, the award will be deducted from their fees.
53. The reduction of fee level may impact the maximum a student could be able to borrow for tuition fees via the Student Loan Company and/or other national schemes.
54. Whilst a subsequent reduction in tuition fees may impact the amount a student can borrow as part of a tuition fee loan, it should not impact the student’s ability to access other forms of government support that apply to them, such as maintenance funding.

Terms and Conditions

55. In addition to the above, below are general terms and conditions relating to the NU London Bursary. The University is required to ensure that those receiving financial assistance (hereafter referred to as Recipients) meet the relevant criteria:
    1. Recipients meet the University’s minimum matriculation requirements.
    2. The information provided by the Recipient and used in the assessment of the Recipient’s award(s) is true and correct.
56. In the event that the information provided by the Recipient is subsequently found to be untrue and/or misleading, the award(s) will be withdrawn, and the University may seek repayment of any award(s) paid to date. The Recipient may also be liable for any shortfall in fees and may potentially face disciplinary action.
    1. A Recipient’s award(s) may be withdrawn, reduced or the Recipient may be asked to repay in part or fully if:
       1. the Recipient is in breach of the University’s terms and conditions.
       2. the Recipient does not maintain good standing, including the required level of attendance.
       3. the Recipient’s behavior leads to disciplinary action.
       4. the Recipient withdraws from the University.
57. As a general rule, bursaries are not paid back. However, if a Recipient withdraws from the University, takes a leave of absence or is withdrawn, a Recipient may be asked to pay back a proportion of any bursary award received in that academic year.
58. In addition, if a Recipient’s circumstances change, for example a Recipient’s household income is reassessed at a higher level by the SLC, the Recipient may have to repay all or part of any bursary award.
59. Bursary award payments will not be made to those in arrears to the University, as the University reserves the right to offset bursaries against outstanding debts.
60. Bursary awards are made on an annual basis.
61. Eligibility criteria are assessed annually and are awarded to those who meet the criteria at the time of allocation.
62. It is the Recipient’s responsibility to reapply at the end of each academic year.
63. Past eligibility is no guarantee of a future award.

Appeals

64. Students are entitled to appeal an unsuccessful application for the NU London Bursary.
65. Students are expected to submit an appeal in a responsible manner. Where the University receives a frivolous or vexatious appeal, the matter will be referred under the Disciplinary Procedure for Students.
66. An appeal may only be lodged by the student and may not be made by a third party, other than in circumstances where, at the time allowed for the appeal to be lodged, the student is suffering from such physical or mental incapacity as to prevent the student acting for themselves.

Bursary Appeals Procedure

67. A student may make an appeal against a decision of an NU London Bursary application by completing an Appeal Form for Students and submitting it together with supporting evidence via email.
68. The email should be clearly marked ‘Bursary Appeal’ in the subject header and be submitted within 14 calendar days of the student being notified of their application outcome.
69. Students wishing to appeal should make clear they are doing so on one of the following grounds:
    1. There has been a significant procedural flaw or irregularity that compromised the fairness of the process.
    2. New material evidence (which must be supported by explanation of why it is being submitted at this late stage).
    3. There is a bias or reasonable perception of bias during the procedure.
    4. An outcome, decision and/or penalty, being unreasonable or disproportionate.
70. The standard of proof in appeals is on the ‘balance of probabilities’ rather than ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.
71. In making an appeal, the burden of proof is on the student to show that one of the matters listed above applies.
72. The Appeals team shall inform the Financial Controller (as Chair of the Bursary Appeal Board) that an appeal has been lodged. The Financial Controller will assess whether there are valid grounds for an appeal within seven calendar days. The student will be informed of their decision by email within the same timeframe.
73. If the Financial Controller determines that there may be grounds for an appeal, a Bursary Appeal Board (BAB) shall be convened within 14 calendar days of their decision.
74. The BAB will comprise:
    1. the Financial Controller (as Chair),
    2. the Head of Widening Participation,
    3. the Head of Student Support, and
    4. A relevant member of professional staff (as Secretary).
75. The BAB’s considerations will be limited to the grounds specified by the appellant in the Appeal Form for Students and should not take the form of a reassessment of financial information.
76. The BAB will be provided with the original NU London Bursary application, the application outcome, and the completed Appeal Form for Students (with any accompanying evidence).
77. If the BAB is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence of grounds for appeal, the appellant may be invited to an interview with the BAB.
78. The proceedings of the BAB will take such form as the BAB determines appropriate to investigate the grounds for appeal stated in writing by the appellant.
79. The BAB may:
    1. Reject the appeal, in which case the original application outcome will stand.
    2. Uphold the appeal, in which case the BAB will recommend a new award amount.
80. The BAB shall notify the appellant of their decision within seven calendar days.
81. The decision of the BAB shall be final, and no further appeal may be permitted.
82. At the end of the appeals procedure, the Student Regulatory Resolution Office will issue an outcome and Completion of Procedures (COP) letter to advise that the University’s procedures have been concluded.

Office of the Independent Adjudicator

83. If a student remains dissatisfied following their appeal, they have the right to refer the decision to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator within 12 months of the date of the Completion of Procedures letter. Details are available here.
84. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) is an independent body set up as a result of the Higher Education Act 2004 to run a student complaints scheme. Membership of the OIA is a requirement of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 and the Office for Students.

Version History

Annex A: Information for Independent students and NU London Bursary uplift eligibility

Independence

1. Although most NU London Bursary awards will be on the basis of family income, the University recognises that a student’s own income may be the more relevant measure.
2. Northeastern University London will consider a student independent if any of the following apply:
   1. You are the primary carer of a person under the age of 18 on the first day of the academic year you’re applying for student finance.
   2. You are 25 or over on the first day of the academic year you’re applying for student finance.
   3. You have no living parents.
   4. You have supported yourself for at least three years before the start of your course. This includes supporting yourself through:
      1. Paid, full-time employment.
      2. Receiving Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or other state benefits.
      3. Receiving any pension, allowance or other benefit because of their disability or by any reason of confinement, sickness or illness.
      4. Receiving training under any scheme for the unemployed or other funding by any state authority or agency.
   5. You have been married or in a civil partnership before the start of the academic year (even if you’re now divorced or separated).

NU London Bursary uplift eligibility

3. While a student meeting the above criteria is independent, further evidence would be required to award an uplift. The uplift is awarded to students if any of the following apply:
   1. You are estranged from and have not communicated with your parents for one year before your application, or you can demonstrate you’re permanently estranged from your parents. This includes where your parents can’t be traced, or it’s not practical or possible to contact them.
   2. Your parents live outside the EU and an income assessment would put them in jeopardy, or it’s not reasonably practical for them to send funds to the UK to help support you.
   3. You are care-experienced (meaning you have experience of care for any three-month period ending on or after the date you turned 16) or have lived in a foyer.
   4. You are a young carer or young adult carer.
   5. You hold refugee status.

Evidencing Uplift Eligibility

4. If you are an independent student, the University applies the rules adopted by the Student Loan Company (SLC) and requires that you show you have been financially independent for three or more years before your course begins.
5. If you are an estranged student, the University applies the rules adopted by the SLC and requires that you supply a letter from a relevant professional confirming your estranged status. For more help and information about applying for student finance as an estranged student please contact the Student Support Team.
6. If you hold refugee residency status, the University applies the rules adopted by the SLC and requires that you supply a letter from SLC confirming your eligibility for maintenance loans, and a letter from a relevant professional confirming your refugee status.
7. If you are a care leaver, the University will ask you to provide a letter from your local council or care authority. This letter should confirm you were under the care of your local authority (LA), have now left the care of the LA and are a care leaver as defined in the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.
8. If you have a dependent, the University will apply the rules adopted by the SLC and require that you provide evidence that dependence is financial in order to determine eligibility.
9. If you are currently a young carer or young adult carer, you are someone “who provides or intends to provide care for another person (of any age, except where that care is provided for payment, pursuant to a contract or as voluntary work).” The University requires that you have successfully undergone a Young Carers’ Assessment or engaged a relevant professional service and can supply a letter on headed paper confirming your status as a carer.