University Scholarship Scheme – 2nd deadline 1st March 2010

If you missed the 1st December deadline to apply for a University Scholarship (details below) there will be a second opportunity to apply with a deadline of the 1st March

Are you involved in voluntary work, do you compete at a national level, want to attend a summer school, or volunteer to coach or teach overseas?  We may be able to help you achieve your goal 

The University runs a University Scholarship Scheme each year to assist students with participating in extra-curricular activities.  You can apply for funding, up to £1000, to finance extra-curricular involvement in activities either directly related to or distinct from your course of study. 

Some examples of students who were successful:- 

Category 1 – Voluntary activities which are community based

In 2009 a group of students received help with funding a trip to Thailand to provide voluntary teaching and another student received help with funding a trip to Sri Lanka to coach football and cricket. Other students were funded to assist them travelling to voluntary placements in the UK with charities such as Turning Point and Save the Children.

It is important when applying for a scholarship for this category that you include information about the charity you are working for, the hours involved and the location of the work.  You should provide evidence that you have been accepted as a volunteer.

 Category 2 – Activities relating to a pastime or interest in which the student is involved (e.g. music or some other arts based area; elite sport)

Last summer students received scholarships to assist them in participation in national sports competitions in a variety of sports including: rowing, golf, swimming and trampolining.  A student also received help in funding a trip to New York to participate in the Centenary of Guiding celebrations.

It is important when applying for a scholarship for this category that you include information, and evidence, of the costs involved. 

Category 3 – Activities which are course related but voluntary but, if undertaken, are likely to contribute to the scholar’s academic performance

This year a student has received a scholarship to assist her in attending a drama course outside of the University. She has undertaken to feed back to her peers the knowledge she gains.  Other students have received funding to assist them in attending archaeological digs which will supplement their learning experience. Again these students will provide feedback to their peers on the knowledge they have gained.

It is important when applying for a scholarship in this category that you provide written evidence of the costs involved and quantify the impact the activity will have on your academic performance.

 To apply for a University Scholarship please complete a form which you can access here or from the Student Records Enquiry Counter in Woodbury. The deadline for applying is the 1^st December 2009. You will need to supply supporting documentation with your application e.g. details of any study visit, invitations or bookings. 

Please note that successful applicants will be required to participate in some form of feedback on their activity and the form this will take will be notified in the award letter.

 All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Panel and applicants will be notified of the outcome before Christmas.

 Completed application forms should be submitted to the Student Records Enquiry Desk by the 1^st December 2009.  The next opportunity to apply for a University Scholarship will be March 2010.

 Please note that this fund is not available to pay for the cost of courses run by the University.  If you are struggling with course costs or have other financial difficulties please contact the Student Welfare and Financial Advice Service http://www.worc.ac.uk/wfa/  who will be able to advise you.

University of Worcester Bursaries

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you are eligible for a bursary and receive all or part of the Maintenance Grant from the Student Loans Company, the standard £500 bursary will be increased to;

£640 if you are awarded part of the Maintenance Grant

or

£770 if you are awarded the whole Maintenance Grant

The university finance office will not be able to arrange the extra payment if they haven’t seen a copy of your Maintenance Grant statement so you should take a copy to the cashier’s office unless they are already aware of your award.

The payments will be made as follows:

5 installments for undergraduates payable on:

15th December 2009
15th January 2010
15th February 2010
15th March 2010
15th April 2010

3 installments for PGCE students payable on:

15th December 2009
15th January 2010
15th February 2010

Change to Interest Rates for Income Contingent (ICR) Student Loans

Interest on ICR loans has been reduced to 1.5% effective from the 6th of March until further notice. Further information can be found on the Student Loan Repayment Website

Change to Interest Rates for Income Contingent (ICR) Student Loans

Interest on ICR loans has been reduced to 3% effective from the 5th of December until further notice. Further information can be found on the Student Loan Repayment Website

Payment of University Bursaries

The dates for bursary payments are as follows.

1. 15th December 2008
2. 15th January 2009
3. 16th February 2009
4. 16th March 2009
5. 15th April 2009

These will be paid directly into bank accounts. You should ensure your bank details are accurately recorded on your SOLE pages.

To receive an enhanced level of bursary you must have submitted a copy of your financial assessment to the Finance Department.

Sensible spending at Christmas

The University’s Welfare and Financial Advice Team will be holding the above event in the Students’ Union on Monday the 1st of December between 10.00 and 3.00.

Help and advice will be given on maximising income, financial management, sources of financial support for students, budgeting, the real cost of borrowing and so on.

As usual there will be prizes, including a chocolate filled money box, and this particular event will be giving away a variety of Christmas decorations!

University Scholarships

In 2007 the University launched a new scholarship scheme to assist students with participating in extra curricular activities. You can apply for funding, up to a £1000, to finance extra-curricular involvement in activities either directly related to or distinct from your course of study. Students can apply for funds to assist them with a variety of activities and below are some examples of students who were successful in being awarded funding in 2007:

• Voluntary activities which are community based, either in the UK or abroad.
Several students received funding to assist them travelling to voluntary placements such as with Turning Point and Save the Children. Another group of students received scholarships to assist towards the cost of travelling to the Gambia to provide a football and basketball two week school for local children. It is important when applying for a scholarship for this category that you stipulate what charity you are working for, the hours involved and the location of the work. You should provide evidence that you have been accepted as a volunteer.

• Activities relating to a pastime or interest in which the student is involved (e.g. music or some other arts based area; elite sport). Two students received scholarships to assist them with attending the World University Futsal Championships in Slovenia. Another student received a scholarship towards travelling to India and Sri Lanka with the Brownie group she helped run. If you wish to apply under this category you need to provide written evidence that you have been selected and the costs involved.

• Activities which are course-related but voluntary but, if undertaken, are likely to contribute to the scholar’s academic performance. Several students received scholarships to assist them in attending one day storytelling courses which would contribute towards their teaching qualifications. Another student received a scholarship to assist with the cost of attending environmental conferences during the summer, again this contributed towards her academic performance. Again, if you wish to apply for a scholarship in this category you need to provide written evidence of the costs involved and quantify the impact the course will have on your academic performance.

To apply for the scholarship please complete a form which you can access via this blog or from the Student Enquiry Counter in Woodbury. You will need to supply supporting documentation with your application, e.g. details of any study visit, invitations or bookings. Please note that successful applicants will be required to submit a report of the activity for which the scholarship was awarded.

All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Panel and applicants will be notified of the outcome hopefully in time for Christmas.

Completed application forms should be submitted to the Student Enquiry Counter in Woodbury by the 1st December 2008

Advice for students living off campus

The University’s Welfare and Financial Advice team are holding an event to offer advice on the welfare and financial aspects of living in shared accommodation off campus. A stand with information and advice will be in the Students’ Union all this week (29th Sept – 3rd Oct) and manned for help and work shops from Tuesday to Thursday. Information will be given about deposits, bill sharing, bill payment, budgeting, maximising income and so on.

Information event for nursing and midwifery students

The University’s Welfare and Financial Advice Team are holding an information event for nursing and midwifery students in the Students’ Union this Wednesday the 3rd of September. Students can drop in for help and advice on financial support anytime between 10.30 and 3.00.

Tuition Fees 2008/09

The tuition fee rate for full-time undergraduate students next academic year is £3,145.

If you commenced your course prior to September 2006 the tuition fee will be £1,255.

If you are planning to apply for the full tuition fee loan you should apply to borrow one of the above amounts depending upon which category you come under. You will be liable for any outstanding balance at the point of registration.

If you have any queries regarding tuition fees please contact the Finance Office on 01905 855113 or by email at finance@worc.ac.uk

Act soon – University Scholarship deadline approaching

Thinking of attending a summer school or want to do some voluntary work over the summer and need help with the travel costs then why not apply for a University Scholarship but hurry up the deadline is 31st March 2008

For full details see details from previous posting.

Need to find more money to help you study?

Try Educational Trust Funds.
Come to the Welfare & Financial Advice team’s promotion about easy access to Trust Funds on 3rd March in the Students’ Union.

University Scholarships for Extra-Curricular Activities

The University is launching a new scholarship scheme for all students. You can apply for funding, up to a £1000, to finance extra-curricular involvement in activities either directly related to or distinct from your course of study. Examples are: voluntary activities which are community based, either in the UK or abroad; activities related to a past-time or interest in which you are involved (e.g: music or other arts based area; elite sport); an activity which is course-related but voluntary, if undertaken, is likely to contribute to your academic performance (e.g.: a study visit or attendance at a conference).

To apply for the scholarship please complete a scholarship application form which you can access via this blog or you can get a hard copy from the Student Enquiry Counter in Woodbury. You will need to supply supporting documentation with your application, e.g. details of any study visit, invitations or bookings. Please note that successful applicants will be required to submit a report of the activity for which the scholarship was awarded.

All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Panel and applicants will be notified of the outcome mid-late April.

Completed application forms should be submitted to the Student Enquiry Counter in Woodbury by the 31st March 2008

Debt Management Sessions

Problems with Debt? The University Welfare and Financial Advisors will be in the main reception area all day on 28th January with advice on types of debt and debt management. There will be free gifts and a chocolate filled piggy bank prize!

Student bursary payments

Full-time undergraduate students paying the higher rate fee (£3,070) will receive a bursary from the University of either £500 or £725 for each year of the course. The amount of bursary received will depend on whether or you are receiving the maintenance or special support grant. The bursary will be paid in five equal monthly instalments starting in December 2007.

PGCE Students who receive the full maintenance grant will be eligible to receive a bursary of £305 per year from the University, paid in three monthly instalments from December.

Bursaries will be paid directly into your bank account around the 15 day of the month. Any updates to your bank details must be made via your SOLE page by 12 noon on the 1st day of each month. The payment schedule for 2007/8 is planned as follows:

14 December 2007
15 January 2008
15 February 2008
14 March 2008
15 April 2008

HSBC: Changes to student accounts

HSBC have recently announced changes to student accounts when they are converted to Graduate Accounts. The Students’ Union have published some advice and guidance on their web pages which may be helpful.

HSBC has gone back on plans to end interest-free deals for graduates – see The Independent article: Student power forces HSBC U-turn on overdrafts.