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UCS will be offering fee waivers as part of the National Scholarship Programme (NSP) for students starting undergraduate degrees at UCS in September 2012. The fee waivers will be aimed at students who are receiving the full Maintenance Grant, with a household income of less than £25,000, and who meet other eligibility criteria. All students who meet the criteria to be considered for the NSP are encouraged to apply, but please note that eligibility does not guarantee the award of a Scholarship. 

 

Introducing the National Scholarship Programme

The NSP has been created to offer support to students from low income backgrounds. The Government has awarded a number of Scholarships to UCS, and UCS has committed to matching these Scholarships to provide fee waivers to a larger number of students starting their degree in September 2012. UCS has further extended the money in the National Scholarship Programme to offer additional Scholarships of fee-waivers for students in their second year at UCS from 2013.

 

The National Scholarship Programme at UCS

Students who are successful in being awarded a Scholarship will be given a fee waiver of £3000 for their first year only. Part-time students being awarded a Scholarship will receive a fee waiver on a pro rata basis for first year only. For example, part-time students studying 50% of the course in first year will receive a fee waiver of £1500.

UCS is extending the NSP to allow second year UCS students in 2013 to apply for a fee-waiver of £3000. Students will have to apply separately for the Scholarships in both their first and second years at UCS.

 

Eligibility for Scholarships (full-time students)

Students who wish to apply for the NSP at UCS will need to meet the following eligibility criteria. Please note that meeting the eligibility criteria and applying for a Scholarship does not guarantee the award of a Scholarship.

• Household income below £25,000 and in receipt of the full maintenance grant (UK Home Fees students)
• First generation in their family to go to higher education (this means that a student whose parent/guardian/carer has achieved any degree - regardless of mode of study, type of institution, location of study - would not be eligible)
• Live in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk or Cambridgeshire (for 3 years prior to starting the degree at UCS)
• Be studying full-time at UCS for a Bachelor or Foundation degree
• Awards will be made on the basis of academic achievement

Eligibility for Scholarships (part-time students)

Students who wish to apply for the NSP at UCS will need to meet the following eligibility criteria. Please note that meeting the eligibility criteria and applying for a Scholarship does not guarantee the award of a Scholarship.

• Part-time students are eligible to apply for the NSP if their household income is below £25,000 per year and they are in receipt of ONE of the following means-tested benefits: Income Support; Housing Benefit; Income-based Job Seekers Allowance; Council Tax Benefit; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
• First generation in their family to go to higher education (this means that a student whose parent/guardian/carer has achieved any degree - regardless of mode of study, type of institution, location of study - would not be eligible)
• Live in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk or Cambridgeshire (for 3 years prior to starting the degree at UCS)
• Be studying part-time at UCS for a Bachelor or Foundation degree, studying at least 25% of the course load 
• Awards will be made on the basis of academic achievement

 

Students Not Eligible for the NSP

Under the national eligibility criteria of the NSP the following students are not eligible for the NSP regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• NHS-funded students
• Students funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools
• Students directly continuing from one course to another (for example from foundation degree or HND on to the final year of an honours degree)
• Students transferring to UCS from another institution
• Students undertaking a postgraduate qualification
• Part-time students studying at less than 25 per cent intensity of the full-time equivalent
• Any other students whose fees are paid or part-paid through a sponsorship arrangement

Application

Students must apply directly to UCS to be considered for the National Scholarship Programme. The application form will be available from the applicant portal, and the closing date for applications will be 30 June 2012.

 

Receiving a Scholarship

Students will be sent an acknowledgement email to confirm that their application has been received. However, this is not confirmation that a Scholarship will be awarded. Awards will be made on the basis of students meeting all of the eligibility criteria, including academic requirements. Applicants will receive confirmation of whether they have been selected for a Scholarship by 31 October 2012. Students should therefore apply for tuition fee loans for the full amount of their tuition fees.

Awards will only be made to successful applicants if they are still in attendance at UCS on 31 May 2013.

 

Student Support at UCS

The Student Support team at UCS are available to discuss finance with any students considering studying at UCS, regardless of elibility for the National Scholarship Programme. UCS offers a range of support and guidance on managing finance while studying, and any student with concerns is encouraged to contact the Student Support team to discuss their individual circumstances.