The University of Sussex has developed a generous scheme, the First- Generation Scholars Scheme, which provides support if your household income is less than £42,620 per annum. This support is in addition to any loans and grants from the Student Loans Company.
Please note: If you are eligible for a Social Work or NHS bursary you will not receive the financial element of the First-Generation Scholars scheme.
Financial Support:
In your first year:
£1000 cash award and £2000 rent reduction if you live in University managed accommodation *
OR
£1000 cash award and £2000 fee waiver if you are not living in University managed accommodation. *
* Please note Abacus House is not University managed.
In subsequent years of study you will be eligible for £1000 cash award providing that you still meet all the eligibility criteria during that year. Please note that if you are awarded the payment in one year, it does not necessarily mean that you will continue to receive the cash award for the duration of your university study.
If you have a year abroad or placement during your course you will not qualify for scholarship funding for that year. This is because you pay a reduced fee during this period.
If you are on a University of Sussex Degree with a Foundation year you will be entitled to this funding for both your Foundation year and for the First year of your Undergraduate Degree and then for the £1000 cash award in subsequent years of study providing that you still meet all the eligibility criteria during that year.
Students repeating a year of study
If you qualify for the First-Generation Scholars Scheme and have to repeat a year you will be eligible for a £1000 cash bursary. This includes repeating a foundation or first year. You will not be entitled to the £2000 for the repeat period but only for the £1000 cash bursary. If you are a Foundation student and you repeat your Foundation course you will therefore receive £1000 for the repeat year and then £3000 for the first year of your degree. Again, this is providing that you still meet all the eligibility criteria during that year.
Care Leavers
If you are a care leaver you will be entitled to a £3000 cash award for each year of study instead of the payments detailed above.
Can I hold more than one award?
You can hold both the First-Generation Scholar's scheme award and the Sussex Excellence Scholarship in your first year. If you qualify for both awards you will receive a rent rebate of £2000 if you live in university managed accommodation or a £2000 fee rebate if you live in private accommodation. The balance of the awards will be paid in cash.
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Type of award
Undergraduate and Foundation Year
Award amount
Year 1: £1K cash award plus either a £2K rent reduction or a £2K fee waiver. Subsequent years: £1K cash award.
Eligibility
You must be a student from the UK, qualifying for Home/EU fee status and studying on an undergraduate full-time course from the academic year 2015/16 onwards. You must also have a family income validated by one of the following:
Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, the Students Awards Agency for Scotland or Student Finance ni, as not more than £42,620.
If you are eligible for a Social Work or NHS bursary you will not receive the financial element of the First-Generation Scholars scheme.
Application procedure
Your eligibility for the First-Generation Scholars Scheme will be assessed by the Student Loans Company (SLC) when you make your application for funding.
Please ensure that you have ticked the box authorising the sharing of income to enable the SLC to make this assessment.
If you are holding the University of Sussex as your first choice and if you are eligible for the First-Generation Scholars Scheme, the Student Loans Company will send you a letter with University of Sussex logo, to confirm your entitlement.
Timetable
Further information
Contact details
Email: scholarships@sussex.ac.uk
Tel: 01273 872994