Oxford Tuition Fee Reduction frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a tuition fee reduction?
There is no application form to receive a tuition fee reduction. In order to be assessed for a tuition fee reduction by the University you must apply to be financially assessed by your regional funding agency. You are able to do this by applying for UK government funding. As long as you and any parents/sponsors give consent to share your household income information with the University in your application for student finance then you will automatically be assessed for a tuition fee reduction.
Please check the eligibility information provided to see if you might receive a tuition fee reduction:
Students who started their course on or after 2012
When will I hear about whether I have been awarded a tuition fee reduction?
Letters will be issued to eligible students on a rolling basis from the beginning of September onwards. Letters are sent to the address you have registered with the Student Loans Company.
I am a student with EU status and would like to know whether I am eligible to be assessed for a tuition fee reduction?
EU students are eligible to be assessed for a tuition fee reduction provided they have applied for a tuition fee loan and been financially assessed by the Student Finance Services Non UK Team. After applying for a tuition fee loan, students are invited to complete a financial assessment if they wish to be considered for Oxford support. The deadline for tuition fee reduction approvals is 20 December 2013 and your financial assessment must be completed prior to this date in order to be assessed for a tuition fee reduction.
EU students do not have an annual household income assessment, and tuition fee reductions for continuing EU students will be based upon the latest financial assessment completed. If an EU student wishes to have their household income reassessed after their first year, they must email oxfordopportunity@admin.ox.ac.uk to request this.
Why have I not received notification of a tuition fee reduction when I believe my household income makes me eligible?
If you believe you are eligible for a tuition fee reduction but have not heard from us in September, please email Student Financial Support at oxfordopportunity@admin.ox.ac.uk, remembering to include your Customer Reference Number, your full name, date of birth, and the year you started your course, so that we can check your record.
What is the deadline for tuition fee reductions to be awarded?
The final deadline for tuition fee reduction approvals is 20 December 2013.
The University recommends that students apply to their regional funding agency as early as possible, to ensure that their completed financial assessment and funding is in place to allow them to be assessed for a tuition fee reduction in advance of the deadline.
Can I benefit from a tuition fee reduction if I haven’t applied for student finance?
In order to be considered by the University for a tuition fee reduction you must be financially assessed by your regional funding agency, and give consent to share your household income information with the University.
How do I ensure that permission is given for my household income information to be shared with the University?
If you are using the online application for government funding, there is a section with boxes for you and your sponsor(s) to indicate their permission to share your household income with the University.
On the paper application for government funding both you and any sponsor(s) must sign the relevant section; it is important to note that if you have more than one sponsor the permission of both must be given.
If you believe either you or your sponsors/parents did not give permission you must contact the SLC to rectify this on 0845 603 4016. Please note both you and any sponsors will need to contact the SLC separately to give your consent to share your household income information.
If you are a Scottish student the process of giving consent to share your household income information is more complicated and you will need to contact SAAS directly on 0300 555 0505.
Do I need to notify the Student Loans Company that I have received a tuition fee reduction from Oxford?
No; the University will automatically apply any tuition fee reduction you may be eligible for as well as notify the Student Loans Company on your behalf. The Student Loans Company will then adjust the amount of the loan you have taken out and will send you a letter informing you of the adjustment.
How do I ensure I continue to receive a tuition fee reduction whilst at Oxford?
In order to be assessed for a tuition fee reduction, UK students must be financially assessed for each year of their course through Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. You will be able to complete your application for funding for the next academic year either online or in paper format from early 2014. A reminder should be issued by your awarding body that the form needs to be completed. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that your funding application is completed, whether or not this reminder is received. You should aim to complete your application in good time for the new academic year to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. We recommend that you complete your application during the Easter vacation, or in line with the deadlines given by the awarding body, whichever is earlier.
EU students are not reassessed annually, and each year tuition fee reductions will be based on the latest assessment completed.
My loan amount still hasn’t changed despite confirmation I qualify for a tuition fee reduction. Do I need to do anything else?
The University will inform the Student Loans Company on a weekly basis of all tuition fee reductions that have been processed. The SLC will update their records and send a revised financial notification to students to confirm the adjustment to their tuition fee loans.
How do I obtain further information?
If your questions are not answered above please email oxfordopportunity@admin.ox.ac.uk, remembering to include your Customer Reference Number, full name, date of birth, and the year that you started your course.