Choosing your support

UK students can choose to receive the Leeds Bursary as cash, a discount against tuition fees or a discount against University accommodation.

If you do nothing, we will assume that you want to receive support in cash. If you are an EU student, you must receive the funding as a tuition fee discount.

All Leeds Bursary recipients are asked to make a choice by 1st November in the relevant academic year. If you have not actively made a choice by this date you will automatically receive your award as a cash award (UK students) or a tuition fee discount (non-UK EU students in receipt of a Tuition Fees Loan). It is advisable if you are planning on living in University accommodation that you consider the accommodation discount option as it can significantly lower payments over the year.

We always pay cash awards directly through BACS transfer. If you do not provide bank details, we cannot pay you.

Cash award

The cash award is paid into your bank account in three instalments:

term one: 25%
term two: 50%
term three: 25%

Receiving your support in a cash sum:

gives you the greatest flexibility
reduces the need to borrow money as an overdraft, credit card or loan
gives you more disposable income if you already have a plan for paying your tuition fees or expect to receive tuition fee loan

However, a cash sum also means:

a greater risk of making money-management mistakes
you will not reduce your overall student-loan debt.

Discount on university-owned accommodation

We deduct the discount from your overall University accommodation bill, and split your reduced accommodation fees into your chosen instalment plan.

We will send you an accommodation statement early October. If your Leeds Bursary is agreed before then, the statement will reflect this adjustment. If your Leeds Bursary is agreed after this date, you can request an amended statement by emailing fees@leeds.ac.uk.

Receiving your support as a University-owned accommodation discount:

reduces your accommodation instalments and the potential for large rent arrears
may help you manage your money, as rent is often the largest expense

However, a University-owned accommodation discount also means:

the award will not be paid to you directly if a sponsor or family member is paying your full accommodation charges
the award will not reduce your student loan debt

Whether you choose cash, accommodation or tuition, you need to be registered on your course on the above instalment dates to receive that portion of your Leeds Bursary.

All Leeds Bursary recipients are asked to make a choice by 1 November in the relevant academic year. If you have not actively made a choice by this date you will automatically receive your award as a cash award (UK students) or a tuition fee discount (non-UK EU students in receipt of a Tuition Fees Loan).

Tuition fee discount

This discount is deducted from your overall tuition fee. If you are taking a tuition fee loan, we will inform Student Finance England about the reduced fee, and they will reduce your tuition fee loan accordingly. If you are paying the remaining tuition fees yourself, the reduced fee will be split into the instalment plan you have chosen.

Receiving your support as a tuition fee discount:

reduces your tuition fee loan, which is helpful if you are likely to move into a high-earning career and are concerned about paying interest on your loan once you are earning
is a simple way to receive the award, minimising confusion with other financial commitments

However, a tuition fee discount also means:

you may not benefit from taking a discount to reduce your overall debt as many students never repay their loans in full
your monthly loan repayments would be the same regardless of whether you took a tuition fee loan for £9,250 or reduced it by the value of your Leeds Bursary award by using the tuition fee discount, as the repayment amount is calculated as a percentage of your earnings, not a percentage of your loan
the award will not be paid to you directly
the award will not help with short-term budgeting or money management

How to make your choice

To choose how to take your award you must:

Log into Minerva
Select 'My Leeds' from the menu options
Under 'Tools and Other University Systems' select 'Student Services'
Select 'Payments and Financial Support'
Select 'Choose how to receive my Leeds Bursary'
Select how you would like to receive your award

Independent advice

You may want to visit the Money Saving Expert website for an independent view. Leeds University Union Help & Support in the Students' Union is always happy to help too. You can find them in the ground floor foyer and they're open from 9.30am to 5pm weekdays. Email helpandsupport@luu.leeds.ac.uk or call 0113 380 1400.