Oxford Support frequently asked questions

Find out how to ensure that you will be assessed for an Oxford Bursary or Crankstart Scholarship and answers to other frequently asked questions.

Am I eligible to receive a bursary from Oxford?

If you are a Home (UK) or EU student (2020-entrant or earlier) from a lower-income household, you will be eligible to receive an annual non-repayable bursary in 2023/24 to help with living costs.

2021- to 2023-entrant Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals living in the UK or Ireland, and students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland who have been granted settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may also be eligible for an Oxford Bursary if they meet the residence requirements.

Please check the eligibility information to see if you are eligible to be assessed for a bursary from Oxford or email the Bursaries Team if you are unsure.

The type and level of support available in 2023/24 varies depending on where you are from and when you started your course. Further information can be found on the Oxford Support webpage.

How do I apply for bursary from Oxford?

There is no application form to receive an Oxford Bursary or Crankstart Scholarship. To be assessed for a bursary by the University, you must first apply for UK government funding and ensure that you are financially assessed by your regional funding agency. You and any sponsors/parents must also agree to share your household income with the University. Provided that you have had your household income calculated by your funding agency and have consented to share this with us, you will automatically be assessed for an Oxford Bursary.

Eligible EU students will be sent a financial assessment form after applying for a tuition fee loan, which should be completed if they wish to be considered for Oxford Support. EU students do not have an annual household income assessment, and Oxford financial support for continuing eligible EU students will be based upon the latest financial assessment completed. If an eligible EU student wishes to have their household income reassessed after their first year, they must email Student Fees and Funding to request this.

When will I hear about whether I have been awarded an Oxford Bursary or Crankstart Scholarship?

Letters will be issued to eligible students on a rolling basis from the middle of September onwards. If you are a new student, your letter will be sent by email to the address you have registered with the university; if your college email account has been activated, then the letter will be sent to this address. If you are a continuing student, your letter will be sent to your college email address.

When and how will I receive my bursary?

Provided all the required information is available to the University by the start of term, bursary payments will be made to the bank account you have nominated to the Student Loans Company to receive your maintenance support. Payments will be made in the second week of each term.

Eligible EU students will need to hold a UK bank account in order to receive the bursary, and should register their account details with the Student Loans Company.

Bursaries are approved throughout the academic year on a rolling basis until the deadline of 30 May 2024.

When is the deadline for bursaries to be awarded?

The deadline for the awarding of bursaries is 30 May 2024. The award will be calculated in accordance with the number of terms the student is due to be in attendance, regardless of when in the year it is approved. For example, if a student is awarded £3,000 they will receive this amount whether their award is made in Michaelmas, Hilary or Trinity term; only the number of instalments will differ.

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 bursary from Oxford in advance of the deadline.

I have received second letter regarding my bursary and the amount has changed; why is this?

If your household income is reassessed by your regional funding agency mid-year, your bursary will be changed to reflect this and an updated entitlement letter sent to you. You will not be asked to repay an overpayment unless it has been received fraudulently.

How can I receive my bursary during my year abroad?

Students studying on their year abroad or undertaking a Turing funded work placement can access means tested support from the UK government and will therefore be assessed for a bursary on the same basis as Oxford-based students.

If you require any clarification on your eligibility for Oxford support while on your year abroad or Turing funded work placement, please email the Bursaries Team.  

How do I ensure I continue to receive my bursary while at Oxford?

In order to be assessed for a bursary from Oxford Home 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 online early in the new calendar year. A reminder should be issued by your awarding body that the form needs to be completed however it is your responsibility to ensure 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.

You must also ensure you register with the University at the start of each academic year. No bursary can be awarded to a student until they have confirmed their attendance at the University.

Eligible EU students are financially assessed once at the start of their course, and the household income assessment remains in place for the duration of the course. EU students whose household income changes significantly during their course and who wish to be reassessed should contact Student Fees and Funding for further advice on their status.

If you are an eligible EU student who was not financially assessed in your first year and now wish to have an assessment by Student Finance Services, please email Student Fees and Funding.

My household income has reduced during the academic year; how can I be reassessed?

Student finance for the academic year 2023/24 is usually based on household income in the tax year 2021/22. Home students can request to be assessed on the current tax year if their household sustains a significant drop in income. Please note if you intend to request a current year assessment you must first give your 2021/22 tax year information as part of your student finance application to demonstrate the drop in income.

English and Welsh students whose household income has dropped by at least 15% should complete a Current Year Income Assessment form available from Student Finance England/Wales.

Scottish students whose household income has dropped by at least 15% should complete an Estimated Household Income Form available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

Northern Irish students whose household income has dropped by at least 5% should complete a Current Year Income Assessment form available from Student Finance Northern Ireland.

Eligible EU students are financially assessed once at the start of their course, and the household income assessment remains in place for the duration of the course. EU students whose household income changes significantly during their course and who wish to be reassessed should contact Student Fees and Funding for further information.

If you are an eligible EU student who was not financially assessed in your first year and now wish to receive a financial assessment, please email Student Fees and Funding.

Can I benefit from Oxford financial support if I haven't applied for student finance?

In order to be considered by the University for Oxford financial support you must be financially assessed by your regional funding agency, and give consent to share your household income information with the University.

Am I eligible for a fee reduction and how do I apply?

If you are a 2016 to 2019-entry Crankstart Scholar not on your year abroad or in receipt of a non-repayable grant covering your course fees such as an NHS grant, and your household income remains below £25,000, you may be eligible for a fee reduction of up to £3,000. Details of any fee reduction will be included in your annual scholarship notification letter. 

There is no application form to receive a fee reduction. These are assessed by the University at the same time as your bursary. As long as you have been financially assessed by your regional funding agency, and have given consent to share this information with the University, then you will be automatically assessed for the fee reduction.

If you are eligible to receive a fee reduction the University will automatically apply this as well as notify the Student Loans Company (SLC) on your behalf. The SLC will then adjust the amount of the loan you have taken out and will send you a letter informing you of the adjustment.

The deadline for the fee reduction is 30 May 2024.

How do I obtain further information?

If your questions are not answered above please email Student Fees and Funding, remembering to include your Customer Reference Number, full name, date of birth, and the year that you started your course.