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Owing the University Money

 

What is classed as University Debt?

Few people go through Higher Education without owing the University money at one time or another.  This can be Library fines, money owed to a University Faculty or Service or:

Tuition fees:

These are payable in full within 28 days of the invoice date. Your Financial Assessment form from Student Finance England (or your Local Authority if you began your studies prior to September 2009) should state whether or not you are responsible for paying your tuition fees or whether the Student Loans Company will pay these on your behalf.  A copy of this should be given to the University Finance Department so that they know who to invoice for your tuition fees.   If you are still in the process of being assessed by Student Finance England (or your Local Authority) once you have enrolled, it is important that you inform the University Finance department of this. 

If you are responsible for paying your own fees these can be paid in three equal instalments - October, January and April (instalment dates differ for students who have begun study in Semester 2 or in June) or by monthly direct debits (normally between October/November and April/May).  Where no instalment arrangement has been agreed, accounts will become due 28 calendar days after the date on which the invoice is raised. 

If your employer is paying your tuition fees, these become payable in full within 28 days of the invoice date.  Students must provide the University Finance Department with an official letter confirming that there employer will be paying their tuition fees.

Accommodation fees:

Every University is different, however this is typically how it works:

You will be invoiced for these as soon as possible after you have registered in University managed residential accommodation.  The University will also provide an opportunity for students or their parents to pay accommodation invoices at the University Intake. If you are unable to pay immediately, payment may be made by 3 equal instalments at the beginning of each term or by 7 monthly direct debits between November and May. 

What action will the University take if I have any of these debts?

If your account remains outstanding at the date payment becomes due, action will be taken to gain payment.  This will include letters to your local and (if appropriate) home address.  The University may also refer an outstanding account onto its Solicitors for appropriate legal action to recover the debt.

If you have made an agreement to pay either tuition fees or accommodation fees by instalments, then the above procedures will only commence after a payment has been missed.

What if I don't agree with the bill the University has sent me?

Inform the University Finance Department of the problem as soon as possible and ask them to suspend recovery action until any queries are resolved. 

What if I can't pay as quickly as the University wants?

If you are concerned that you may get into, or are in, debt to the University and/or have other outstanding debts, contact the University Finance Department.  They may be able to agree a repayment schedule with you. However, it is important to understand that the University do have the option to either exclude you or prevent you from receiving your results if your tuition fees remain unpaid.

Also, this website is full of information about increasing your income and reducing what you need to pay. Check out all the pages on here to find out if you can generate more income to cover your debts. If not, seek advice from a Student Advice Centre.  

What if I intermit or withdraw from the University?

Contact the University Finance Department regarding any outstanding fees. The amount of tuition fees you will be liable for is dependent upon the time of year that you leave.  Please note that if you have applied for a tuition fee loan from the Student Loans Company and you intermit or withdraw before the end the 01 December, you will not be eligible to receive your tuition fee loan to pay your tuition fees.  This means that you will be responsible for paying any tuition fees owed yourself.  Please contact the University Finance Department for further information about how much you will owe.

You will also be liable for any accommodation fees up until the day that you are released from your contract and will therefore need to contact Residential Services in writing to ask them if you can be released as well as to explain why.  If they are satisfied that you are withdrawing from your course, they will normally release you. 

What if the University says I won't be allowed to stay on the course as a result of debt?

Get advice from your University Advice Centre as soon as this is mentioned – this means things have become really rather serious.

Top Tips

  • Don’t ignore invoices.  They won’t go away!
  • If you are not in debt now but think you may run into difficulties, try to plan in advance.
  • Talk to the University Finance Department or a Student Advice Centre.  Communication is the key to preventing problems.

How do I contact the University Finance Department?

The main University Finance department is based on the Beaconside Stafford Campus. There is also a Cashiers Office in the Beacon Building on the Stafford Campus and in the Flaxman Building on the College Road Campus. Their contact details are as follows:

Income, Financial services,
Beaconside, Stafford
ST18 0AD

(01785) 353614

income@staffs.ac.uk

 

 

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