Payment difficulties
The University understands that there can be financial difficulties for students, and we will do what we can to help.
Students who do find themselves unable to pay fees to the University, must ensure they engage with the University Student Hub at the earliest opportunity, who may refer you to the Finance team.
If the Finance team send you any communication stating that you have fees to pay the University, it is important you do not ignore it.
Tuition invoices are sent to students who are believed to be self-funding, on completion of enrolment.
Accommodation invoices are sent each term before the collection date. Other accommodation invoices are sent out when they are generated.
All other invoices are sent to students when required.
Statement of Accounts are sent each month to all students who have fees to pay to the University.
If you feel there is an error on your financial record, or you do not believe you are to pay the charges on your record, you must contact the Student Hub as soon as possible to discuss.
There can be delays on payment of loans, either for maintenance or tuition. Where there are delays, you must contact the Student Hub at the earliest opportunity to explain the situation. They may refer you to the Finance team who can advise you.
Depending on your level of study, your tuition payments will be due at different times of the year.
When payments are due to be collected by, or paid to, the University, and students are not able to pay, you should contact the University Student Hub as soon as possible.
In cases where payments remain overdue for a longer period, students may be required to attend a meeting to discuss the reason for non-payment.
What if I cannot pay on time?
All students should be aware of how their fees are to be paid during their studies - before completing their enrolment and before starting their studies.
If you have the option to pay your remaining tuition fees in instalments, these dates would have been -displayed:
- during the enrolment process
- on the invoice you were -sent on completion of enrolment, and
- on the statement of transactions sent to you
International students should have demonstrated that they have the funds to pay their remaining fee amount, plus at least 9 months- living expenses. Therefore, you should have the money to pay your fees on time. If you find you are not able to pay the full amount of your instalment on time, then the University asks that you make payment for as much as possible, as soon as possible. If you do this, you should make payment for hundreds of pounds and not small amounts.
Making smaller payments before the due date is acceptable. However, if your instalment is £2000 and you pay £40, this is not acceptable and is a very small amount to pay. You should make payment of as much as you can, and then make further payments - for example £500, £1000, or the remaining balance.
If you are a student who is due to receive a Student Finance maintenance loan that has not been paid to you yet, then you should contact the Student Hub team as soon as possible. Dependent on when you are due to pay your accommodation fees, you may need to contact your bank to stop the Direct Debit collection.
If you are not able to pay on time, you must contact the Student Hub and explain the reason why you cannot pay. The University will not offer any amendments to fee due dates or change the instalments.
We do understand that every student is unique, and that circumstances will be different for each student.
Exceptional financial circumstances
The University understands that there can be occasions where things happen that are beyond your control, and these might affect your ability to pay your fees.
Where things have happened since your studies started, that could not have been predicted, the University may be able to allow more time to pay your fees - but amendments to your payment schedule will not be made. You must still aim to pay on time, wherever possible, and pay as much as you can.
If you do need additional support through these situations, you may want to speak to your Academic tutor or the Wellbeing services to get their advice. They may be able to talk to different University departments to be able to help you as best as possible in your circumstances.
The Finance team will support, where we can, in giving more time for you to pay your fees. However, we are not a wellbeing team, and cannot offer advice on everything related to your situation. The Student Hub team will be able to direct you to the best support.
What might happen if I do not pay on time?
Depending on the level of study, the University allows students to pay their remaining fees at different times.
Where there is continued non-payment of tuition fees, the University reserves the right to prevent students from accessing campus and/or preventing students from accessing study materials, including Moodle.
Where students are attending a course with a placement year, and you have fees outstanding when you are required to re-enrol onto that year, the fees owing may block you from enrolling, and you will not be able to attend your placement or equivalent.
In some cases, where there is a continued non-payment, the University reserves the right to withdraw students from their course. In the case of international student visa holders, this may lead to the withdrawal of your visa sponsorship by the University, and you may have to leave the University and return to your home country.
Any student who completes their course, but still has tuition fees to pay, will not be permitted to attend their graduation ceremony, or receive their qualification certificate or transcript, until the balance is cleared.
In relation to accommodation fees, where there is continued non-payment or engagement from students in University accommodation, then it could lead to eviction from your accommodation.
The Finance team will aim to help students where we can, but it is ultimately down to individual students to pay their fees on time.
The Student Hub team works with many other teams in the University and may request support from these teams to be able to engage with you on your financial issues.
Students will have agreed to the student terms and conditions and financial regulations of the University during enrolment. These can be found in the policies and documents section of the University website here: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/policies-and-documents/finance/#students