Emergency Loans for Students in Financial Crisis
The university has two different types of small interest free loans for students who find themselves in acute and unexpected hardship. They are:
The Vice Chancellors loan for immediate cash assistance.
Late Maintenance Loan for when your expected funds are delayed. The Late Maintenance Loan will be paid into your bank account.
NOTE: these loans MUST BE repaid by the agreed date or your registration as a student may be affected.
Vice Chancellors Loan (VC Loan)
- What is it?
The VC Loan is a cash loan intended to cover an immediate and pressing need for cash. The money could be for a train ticket if you have to made an urgent unplanned visit home, or to buy food for the week because you have lost your wallet. It is not intended to help pay rent or other regular bills. - Who is eligible?
Any student who is registered with the university and who does not have an outstanding debt to the university may apply (UG / PG / Home / EU / Overseas). Your registration status must also be “Registered” or “Prov”, any other registration status is not eligible.
NOTE: Students who owe the university money are NOT eligible for the loan. If you owe money for rent or fees and have missed a payment, or have an outstanding library fine for instance you will not be able to borrow more from the university.
- How do I apply?
You will need to visit the Student Life Centre in Chichester 1. Ask the staff member at the counter about a VC loan. - How much can I borrow?
VC Loans are limited to £100. - Do I have to be on campus?
Yes, as you will need to pick up the cash from the cashiers. - How do I get the money?
Following a successful interview at the Student Life Centre you will be given a form to give to the Cashiers in Student Accounts (in Sussex House). You hand the form in and they will give you the cash.
NOTE: the Cashiers are open from 10am – 4pm: you can’t get the money outside of these hours.
- How and when do I pay it back?
Part of the loan interview will be the agreement of a repayment date. You can repay the loan at anytime by visiting your Sussex Direct Finance page (please see above for how to reach it). Normally we would expect repayment within a month.
Late Maintenance Loan
- What is it?
If your funding from an external source is late you may apply for a Late Maintenance Loan. For example if Student Finance England (SFE) is late paying your maintenance grant / loan, or a bank is slow in processing a Professional and Career Development loan, or your sponsor is late in transferring money from of your home country - Who is eligible?
Any student who is registered with the university and who does not have an outstanding debt to the university may apply (UG / PG / Home / EU / Overseas). Your registration status must also be “Registered” or “Prov”, any other registration status is not eligible.
NOTE:Students who owe the university money are NOT eligible for a Late Maintenance Loan. If, for instance, you owe money for rent or fees and have missed a payment, or have an outstanding library fine you will not be able to borrow more from the university.
- How do I apply?
You apply through Sussex Direct. Using the Personal tab, click on “Finance”.
The “Finance” option opens onto a page that gives you information about the money that you owe the university (or that the university owes you). About half way down this page you will see the application form for the Late Maintenance Loan. Fill this out and click SAVE.
Once you have applied on-line you will need to come into the Student Life Centre bringing a current bank statement and proof that you have applied for funding.
1) This could be a letter from SFE explaining what information they need you to supply before they release your money or a printout of your SFE web page.
2) If you have a sponsor you will need a letter explaining how much funding is due and when it is due to be with you. This is required even if your sponsor is a family member.
- How much can I borrow?
The MAXIMUM amount of loan is £400. When you bring in your documentation you will be assessed by a member of the Student Life team. During this meeting you will discuss the amount you need. The amount you borrow may be lower than £400, even if you asked for the full amount in the on-line application. - Do I have to be on campus?
No. You can apply on-line and email your documents to vcloanapplications@sussex.ac.uk If you are not on campus please supply a mobile number as you will be contacted by a member of the Student Life Team to discuss the loan. - How do I get the money?
Once the loan has been agreed the payment will be made into your bank account by direct bank transfer. Your bank details MUST BE entered on Sussex Direct to receive payment. It will usually take a week for the funds to reach your account. - How and when do I pay it back?
Part of the loan interview will be the agreement of a repayment date. You can repay the loan at anytime by visiting your Sussex Direct Finance page (please see above for how to reach it). Normally we would expect the loan to be repaid within a month. - I am not eligible, for these what else is there?
Please look at our other funding pages if you are not eligible for a loan for other available funding.