SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT

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1 SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT For UK & EU undergraduates starting a course from September

2 About Aston University Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established research led University known for its world-class teaching quality and strong links with industry, government and commerce. Aston has been a leading university for graduate employment success for over 25 years. Aston has an outstanding reputation for the success of its graduates, with over 85% finding graduate level employment within six months of graduation in , compared to a national average of 70%. Allied to this, the majority of our students take a placement year or year abroad, giving them valuable experience relevant to their degree. Aston University is based in the centre of Birmingham, home to over 65,000 students and one of Europe s liveliest and most welcoming cities. Aston s friendly and safe 40 acre campus houses all the University s academic, social and accommodation facilities for its 10,000 students. Scholarships for 2015 entry: Aston University s Scholarships help ensure that anyone who is qualified to come to Aston University can do so, regardless of their financial circumstances. Tuition fees for 2015 entry will be 9,000 for the full time element of the degree and 1,000 for the placement year/year abroad. UK/ EU students can apply to Student Finance England for a loan to cover the cost of tuition fees. Grants and Loans for living costs are also available. We estimate that the majority of our students will be eligible for an Aston University scholarship of between 1,000 and 5,000 over the length of their course. Many of our scholarships can be used as a discount on your tuition fees, or to support living expenses. This means that a degree from Aston makes even more financial sense - helping a great investment become an even better one. Aston places high importance on placement years, year abroad opportunities and graduate employability. Most Aston students will receive a scholarship for their placement year. 2

3 aston.ac.uk/scholarships Our Scholarships at a Glance What can I get if my family s household income is... What if I achieve AAB or above at A level? 25,000 a year or less 25,001 to 35,000 per year other qualifications also apply, e.g. BTEC Triple Distinction Up to 3,000 (see pg 4) Up to 1,500 (see pg 4) Up to 3,000 (see pg 3) Aston Aspire Scholarship Aston Progression Scholarship Aston Excellence Scholarship It is possible to be awarded more than one scholarship Aston Excellence Scholarship If you achieve AAB or above in your A Levels (or have achieved particular grades from a list of other qualifications), you are eligible for the Aston Excellence Scholarship worth 3,000. The Aston Excellence Scholarship rewards this achievement. First year Second year Placement year Final year Total Excellence Scholarship 1, ,000* 500 3,000 If you are eligible for this scholarship and also qualify for one of our income-based scholarships, you will receive both. Aston Excellence Scholarships can be taken as tuition fee discounts, campus accommodation discounts or as a cash sum paid into your bank account. Visit our website for more information and a list of eligible qualifications and grades. * Please note that placement year scholarships apply once only. For example, The Aston Excellence Scholarship and some of our income-based scholarships include a 1,000 placement scholarship. If you are eligible for both these scholarship schemes, you will only get the placement scholarship once. 3

4 Income-based scholarships If your family s household income is 35,000 or less, you re entitled to an income-based scholarship. Aston offers scholarships based on your household income - the amount your family earns each year before tax and National Insurance. These scholarships help to ensure that anyone who is qualified to come to Aston University can do so, regardless of their financial circumstances. Scholarships based on household income can be taken as tuition fee discounts to support living costs, such as campus accommodation. Visit our website for full terms and conditions. Household income First year Second year Up to 25,000, UK domiciled and living in Aston University accommidation in first year (Aston Aspire Scholarship) 1,000 accommodation discount Placement year 500* 1,000 placement scholarship Final year Total 500* 3,000 Under 35,000 and not eligible for the Aston Aspire Scholarship (Aston Progression Scholarship) May still receive 1,000 placement scholarship (see page 5) 500 1,500 minimum * From the Aston Progression Scholarship Income-based scholarships are assessed on an annual basis via Student Finance England or equivalent so are not guaranteed in subsequent years. Whatever your household income, if you achieve AAB or above at A Level (or have achieved equivalent grades from other qualifications), you will also be entitled to an Aston Excellence Scholarship. Visit our website for full terms and conditions. 4

5 aston.ac.uk/scholarships Placement Year/Year Abroad Scholarships Thanks to our range of scholarships, we estimate that the majority of Aston students will not pay a fee for their placement year or will receive a 1,000 scholarship. A placement year or a study year abroad is integrated into many of Aston s degrees. A placement allows you to gain valuable professional experience and improve your job prospects. Most placement students are paid a salary by their employer. Aston placement scholarships for 2015 entry students can be taken as a 1,000 fee discount/campus residences discount or as a 1,000 payment into a bank account to support living expenses. We want to encourage as many students as possible to take an Aston placement or study abroad year, so have set the tuition fee for the placement year at just 1,000. You will receive a full 1,000 tuition fee discount (making the year fee-free) or 1,000 cash scholarship if: your household income is 25,000 or below and you are eligible for the Aston Aspire Scholarship or you achieve A Level grades at AAB+ (or have achieved particular grades from a list of others qualifications ) - making you eligible for the Aston Excellence Scholarship or you take an unpaid placement year or you take a study or work placement abroad Please note that placement year scholarships apply once only. For example, The Aston Excellence Scholarship and some of our income-based scholarships include a 1,000 placement scholarship. If you are eligible for both these scholarship schemes, you will only get the placement scholarship once. 5

6 Frequently Asked Questions Who is eligible for a scholarship? You can be considered for an Aston Scholarship for 2015 entry if: 1. you are a home (UK) or EU student and 2. you start a full time undergraduate degree course at Aston University on or after 1st September 2015 and 3. you are liable to pay tuition fees of 9,000, or 1,000 in the placement year, and 4. you qualify to receive Student Support from Student Finance England or equivalent 5. you meet the income and/or academic eligibility criteria for an income-based and/or Aston Excellence Scholarship. 6

7 aston.ac.uk/scholarships How do I apply for a scholarship? You do not need to apply separately for a scholarship. We will automatically assess your eligibility for an Aston Excellence Scholarship using your exam results which UCAS will provide to us. We will automatically assess your eligibility for an income-based scholarship using the information you supply when applying to the UK Government for financial support (student grants and loans). Applications for financial support normally open in the January before your course is due to start and close in May. To be eligible for a household income scholarship you must also consent to share your financial information with the University when you complete your application for financial support. How will the scholarship be paid? Most Aston scholarships for 2015 entry can be taken as tuition fee discounts, or to support living expenses such as campus accommodation. How many scholarships are on offer and when are they paid? Many scholarships at Aston are not limited by number but are based on household income or academic performance. We estimate that the majority of our 2015 entry undergraduate students will be eligible for some level of scholarship. As with other UK universities, scholarships are normally paid in the second and third terms so you need to ensure you have sufficient funds for the first four months of term (for example via student loans, grants, family and work income). I may not qualify for an Aston scholarship, what other support can I get? You will normally be entitled to extensive UK government loan support for tuition fees and living costs (including for the placement year/year abroad). Aston University offers good value and comfortable en-suite accommodation on campus. The cost of living in Birmingham is also comparatively low. The Aston placement year or year abroad is already heavily subsidised with a fee of 1,000 giving our students excellent work experience and a foot in the door of the employment market. You will receive a 1,000 placement scholarship if your placement year is unpaid or taken abroad, irrespective of your household income, or qualifications on entry. Aston University offers a range of financial assistance to students including the Access to Learning Fund, travel bursaries, short term loans, trust scholarships and alumni donations. Aston is also offering free foreign language tuition to all first year undergraduate students (Languages for All) in addition to our existing peer mentoring, entrepreneurship and global citizenship programmes. This document is provided for illustrative purposes only and the information outlined within it is subject to change. Please visit aston.ac.uk/scholarships for full terms and conditions and the latest information. For further details on the definitions of household income and other issues such as domicile status (whether you are classed as a UK or EU student), please visit gov.uk/studentfinance 7

8 Aston turns out some of the most sought-after graduates in the UK Sunday Times University Guide 2013 Aston University Birmingham B4 7ET United Kingdom Follow us online: /astonuniversity /astonuniversity /astonuniversity printed on 100% recycled paper