Fair Debt Collection Policy for Students

The University recognises that some students may require additional support in dealing with their financial affairs and will seek to identify potential barriers caused by University systems which could negatively impact a student’s ability to engage with our services.

Vulnerability does not mean that a student will not be required to pay amounts due. However, where a person is recognised to be vulnerable and the Fees Office has an awareness of this, particular care will be taken when considering referral to external debt collection agents.

This policy is intended to treat all students in a fair and consistent way. However, complaints about any aspect of the debt collection process should be addressed in accordance with section 14 of the Academic Quality Handbook.

Formal documents such as invoices, credit notes, statements and reminders will normally be sent electronically to the student’s university email address. To ensure that contact can be made with the student the university may also contact students using:

• any phone number provided by the student,
• any alternative email address provided by the student,
• by letter to the term and /or home address provided by the student.

If the above methods are a barrier to students receiving and understanding communication, please let us know about your challenges as soon as possible and the University will endeavour to provide information in an appropriate and accessible format.

The tuition fees for Home (UK) apply to UK applicants domiciled in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Please note Irish nationals will continue to be eligible for home fee status and support by the Welsh Government under the Common Travel Area arrangement.

Students become liable for the payment of the full tuition fee on enrolment to a programme of study.

Each student remains individually liable for all fees, debts and other charges payable to the University on his or her behalf. The fact that a sponsor has advised an intention to pay fees on behalf of a student does not affect this individual responsibility.

How to Pay

Option 1: Student Loans Company or SAAS Tuition Fee Loan

Where a UK student has a confirmed award from the Student Loans Company or SAAS covering the full tuition fee liability, the University will communicate directly with these organisations to secure payment from them on behalf of the student.

Students are strongly advised to apply for funding at the earliest opportunity to minimise the risk of not having funding in place by the start of the academic year. The application process for the following academic year normally opens in March. The easiest way to apply is online. Please be aware that you need to sign and return the loan declaration.

An application must be made for each year of study.

Option 2: Sponsor

If the student has secured sponsorship for the whole or part of the fee due, it is important that proof of sponsorship is supplied prior to registration. If proof is not provided, the student will be liable for the full fee and subject to the standard self-financing tuition fee payment options.

In the event of a sponsor defaulting on payment, responsibility for payment of fees will return to the student.

Option 3: Self-Financing – Payment in full

Students wishing to pay their tuition fees in full may do so online at https://epayments.aber.ac.uk/student

Payment can also be made here via TransferMate and Flywire. 

International bank transfers can also be made via one of our partners: “Pay to Study” or “Western Union Business Solutions”.

See http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/student-finance/undergraduate-uk/tuition-fees/how-to-pay/ for more details.

Option 4: Self-Financing – Payment in instalments

Tuition fees may be paid in a maximum of three instalments via our online payments platform https://epayments.aber.ac.uk/student. You will not be subject to any additional charges or interest if you choose this payment option. The first payment will be due in early October with the remaining two payments due at the start of each subsequent term.

Paying online is the only available method to pay Tuition Fees in instalments. All other payment methods require full payment.

In the event of failed payments or previous arrears the University may withdraw the option of paying in instalments.

A student's acceptance of an offer of a place in University accommodation constitutes a binding contract to occupy that place for a complete session unless otherwise specified. The student is then liable to pay the fees for the whole of the licence period. Where exceptions have been made allowing a student to leave on approved medical or welfare grounds the student remains liable to pay the fees due for the whole of the period for which he/she has been in residence or otherwise responsible for the accommodation.

Acceptance of a place in University accommodation binds the student to comply in all respects with the terms and conditions of occupancy set out in the Accommodation Licence Agreement for the relevant academic year. The University reserves the right to demand immediate payment of any outstanding sums notwithstanding any agreement to pay in instalments.

It is a condition of the licence under which a student is admitted to University accommodation that all accommodation fees are paid by the due date.

How to Pay

Option 1: Payment in instalments

As part of your Accommodation Licence Pack process you will be asked to make an advance payment which is equivalent to one weeks rent by credit/debit card. Standard options range from 1 to 3 instalments. This is the only payment method available where the cost can be spread over the academic year.

Option 2: Payment in full

Students wishing to pay their accommodation fees in full may do so as part of the Accommodation Licence Pack by choosing the single instalment. Please log on to your student portal at How to Pay  : Study With Us , Aberystwyth University to pay.

Tuition Fees

Once a student has officially withdrawn from a programme of study, they may be eligible for a reduction in Tuition Fees for that particular academic year. The reduction is calculated based on the official date of withdrawal applied to the student record.

^{*This applies to full-time and part-time undergraduate and taught postgraduate students (including MPhil).}

Where a student withdraws from University and has applied for a Tuition Fee Grant/Loan, Student Finance will cover the Fee liability in this instance. However, if a student withdraws from University and is paying privately, either an invoice or refund will be sent to the home address depending on what has been paid up until the point of withdrawal.

If a student is considering withdrawing from University, it is important that they contact the Fees Office to establish the full financial implications of doing so. If the withdrawal is temporary or the student is transferring to another university, the Fees Office will be able to advise on any potential restrictions on future funding or student support.

Accommodation Fees

Once the offer of a place in University residence is accepted, students become liable to pay the fees due for the whole of the licence period.  Approval for release from the contract can only be given by the Accommodation Office on approved medical, welfare or academic grounds. Nevertheless, such students are still liable to pay the fee due for the period they have been in residence or were otherwise responsible for the accommodation, this fee being calculated on a proportionate daily rate.

Students who have overpaid upon withdrawal will be refunded.

Where there are outstanding fees and charges due to the University from students, the University will instigate debt recovery processes where:

• An invoice for fees or charges is not settled by the due date.
• A payment in accordance with an agreed instalment plan is not received.

The focus of the debt recovery process will be to communicate as soon as possible with students experiencing financial difficulty to lead to a mutually satisfactory resolution of the debt. Students experiencing difficulties in paying any fees and charges should seek financial advice or guidance at the earliest opportunity by contacting:

The Fees Office
Email - fees@aber.ac.uk
Telephone - (01970) 622043

The Advice, Information and Money Service
Email - student-adviser@aber.ac.uk
Telephone - (01970) 621761 / 622087
In person at the reception on the ground floor of the Student Welcome Centre.

The Students Union - for free, independent and impartial advice
Email - union.advice@aber.ac.uk
Telephone - (01970) 621700
Web - www.abersu.co.uk/advice/
In person at the reception at the Union.

International Office - Visa Support and Compliance Team
Email - compliance@aber.ac.uk
Telephone - (01970) 622948
In person at Cledwyn Building.

If a student fails to honour agreements to pay, proportionate and fair action to encourage settlement of the debt will be taken. This may include the imposition of like for like sanctions as follows:

Tuition Fees Debt

• Withdrawal of computer and library facilities i.e. access to your e-mail, Blackboard and loaning of books from the University libraries*.
• Loss of right to progress to the next academic year*.
• Loss of right to receive your degree.
• Loss of right to attend the degree ceremony.
• Cancellation of registration at the University*.
• Referral to external debt collection agency.

Action taken through the Courts for the recovery of debts.  A court judgement will severely affect your credit rating making it difficult for you to obtain future credit, mobile phone contract, mortgage, etc.

* International Tier 4 students - not having access to network facilities due to outstanding debt to the University puts your Tier 4 status at risk and could result in problematic attendance and engagement monitoring for which you (the Tier 4 student) will be fully responsible. If your attendance is seen as problematic and action is taken according to our Tier 4 Attendance and Engagement Policy, you will not be able to justify it on the basis that you have not had access to network facilities as you are expected to:

• either resolve the debt issue before it affects your attendance and engagement with your course or
• put in place different arrangements with your academic department that prove your attendance and engagement.

Loss of right to progress to the next academic year and cancellation of registration at the University directly impacts on your Tier 4 status as it will result in the withdrawal of your Tier 4 sponsorship by the University. The University is required to report to UK Visas & Immigration any withdrawal of Tier 4 sponsorship which will then result in the curtailment of the student’s Tier 4 Visa. The student must leave the UK so as not to overstay, which is a criminal offence.

Accommodation Fees Debt

• Loss of right to receive further University accommodation.
• Referral of debt to external debt collection agency.
• Action taken through the Courts for the recovery of debts.  A court judgement will severely affect your credit rating making it difficult for you to obtain future credit, mobile phone contract, mortgage, etc.

Other Sundry Debt

• Withdrawal of ability to access service i.e. sports centre debt will result in loss of sports centre access, etc.
• Referral to external debt collection agency.
• Action taken through the Courts for the recovery of debts.  A court judgement will severely affect your credit rating making it difficult for you to obtain future credit, mobile phone contract, mortgage, etc.

Please note that any student with a debt owed to the University may have any fellowship, studentship, scholarship, bursary or prize awarded by the University withheld. The value of the award may be set against the debt in full or in part without consultation.

The University will establish timely and vigorous processes for the recovery of overdue sums and will start the recovery process when a payment becomes overdue or an instalment plan or payment arrangement is not maintained.

The University will communicate using:

• the student’s university email address
• any phone number provided by the student
• any alternative email address provided by the student
• by letter to the term and /or home address provided by the student.

If the above methods are a barrier to students receiving and understanding communication, the University will endeavour to provide information in an appropriate and accessible format.

Tuition Fees

Where fees remain outstanding and no instalment plan has been agreed or an instalment has failed, the following series of communications will be sent. The communications will give notice of action to be taken and will continue until such time as the debt has been settled or an agreement reached on resolution. Where a payment arrangement has been agreed but payment is not received strictly in accordance with the agreement, action to enforce payment will be recommenced promptly following the default in payment. Where a debtor has failed to make payments as agreed further payment arrangements will not normally be considered unless the debtor’s circumstances have changed. Anyone experiencing difficulty in making payments under a payment arrangement due to a change in circumstances should contact the Fees Office as soon as they experience difficulty.

1. Correspondence requesting full payment or payment plan sent.
2. Correspondence sent with invitation to attend a drop-in session and reference to potential imposition of tuition sanctions. Members of the Fees Team will be available every Wednesday, opposite Penbryn reception by appointment.
3. Correspondence giving notice of imposition of tuition sanctions i.e. withdrawal of network facilities. List of debtors shared with designated contacts in Institutes and Service Departments.

Sanction

Withdrawal of computer and library facilities i.e. access to your e-mail, Blackboard and loaning of books from the University libraries.

1. Correspondence confirming tuition sanctions have been imposed and advising of potential further sanctions (see section 11).
2. Correspondence confirming imposition of tuition sanctions and reference to potential further sanctions (see section 11).
3. Correspondence reinforcing potential further tuition sanctions and reference to the possibility of referral to external debt collection agency.
4. Correspondence again reinforcing potential further tuition sanctions and reference to the possibility of referral to external debt collection agency.
5. a) Correspondence to graduating students giving notice of imposition of tuition sanctions (unable to graduate or attend ceremony) and reference to external debt collection agency.
   b) Correspondence to returners giving notice of imposition of tuition sanctions (unable to register for next academic year).

Sanction

Graduating Students -  Loss of right to attend degree ceremony and receive degree until the debt is resolved.

Returning Students - Loss of right to progress to the next academic year until the debt is resolved.

1. Correspondence to returners reinforcing notice of imposition of tuition sanction (unable to register for next academic year).
2. Correspondence to returners giving final notice of imposition of tuition sanction (unable to register for next academic year).

Sanction

If the amount due remains unpaid at the end of this process and a suitable arrangement is not in place, the debt will be referred to the University’s external debt collection agency. Once the debt has been transferred all correspondence in relation to the debt will be received from and should be directed to the agency. Continued non-payment will ultimately result in action being taken through the courts to recover the debt. Where the collection of sums due results in increased cost to the University the person owing the debt should be responsible for paying the full cost incurred to recover the amount. Therefore, the University will seek to recover all costs or fees that are legitimately due from a debtor. Any costs or fees due will be reasonable and will reflect the actual cost incurred.

In the event of the debt being initiated later in the academic year due to failed second or third instalment, expired card or any other reason it may not be practical to send all of the above stages of correspondence. However, in all cases full and fair notice will be given prior to the imposition of any sanctions and referral to external debt collection agents.

Accommodation Fees

Where fees remain outstanding and no instalment plan has been agreed or an instalment has failed, the following series of communications will be sent. The communications will give notice of action to be taken and will continue until such time as the debt has been settled or an agreement reached on resolution. Where a payment arrangement has been agreed but payment is not received strictly in accordance with the agreement, action to enforce payment will be recommenced promptly following the default in payment. Where a debtor has failed to make payments as agreed further payment arrangements will not normally be considered unless the debtor’s circumstances have changed. Anyone experiencing difficulty in making payments under a payment arrangement due to a change in circumstances should contact the Fees Office as soon as they experience difficulty.

1. Correspondence requesting full payment or payment plan sent.
2. Correspondence sent with invitation to attend a drop-in session.
3. Correspondence and referral to Licence Manager as potential breach of licence. List of debtors shared with Campus Services and Student Support.
4. Correspondence giving notice of imposition of accommodation sanctions (see section 12) and making reference to the possibility of referral to external debt collection agents.

Sanction

Loss of right to receive further University accommodation.

1. Correspondence confirming imposition of accommodation sanctions and reference to the possibility of referral to external debt collection agents. List of debtors shared with Campus Services and Student Support.
2. Correspondence reinforcing the possibility of referral to external debt collection agency. List of debtors shared with Campus Services and Student Support. Approval to refer debtors to external debt collection agency sought from Executive Group.
3. Correspondence giving notice of referral to external debt collection agency.

Sanction

If the amount due remains unpaid at the end of this process and a suitable arrangement is not in place, the debt will be referred to the University’s external debt collection agency. Once the debt has been transferred all correspondence in relation to the debt will be received from and should be directed to the agency. Continued non-payment will ultimately result in action being taken through the courts to recover the debt. Where the collection of sums due results in increased cost to the University the person owing the debt should be responsible for paying the full cost incurred to recover the amount. Therefore, the University will seek to recover all costs or fees that are legitimately due from a debtor. Any costs or fees due will be reasonable and will reflect the actual cost incurred.

In the event of the debt being initiated later in the academic year due to failed second or third instalment, expired card or any other reason it may not be practical to send all of the above stages of correspondence. However, in all cases full and fair notice will be given prior to the imposition of any sanctions and referral to external debt collection agents.

The following definitions apply for the purpose of this Policy in respect of the terms shown below.

• Debt - for the purposes of this policy the term ‘debt’ is used to refer to an amount that is payable to the University,
• Debtor – for the purposes of this policy the term ‘debtor’ is used to refer to a person that owes a sum of money to the University,
• Sponsor - for the purposes of this policy the term ‘sponsor’ is used to refer to an individual or organisation that has committed to pay fees on behalf of a student directly to the University. Liability for all fees remain with the student in the event of a sponsor defaulting on payment.
• Debt Collection Agency - for the purposes of this policy the term ‘debt collection agency’ is used to refer to a company working in partnership with Aberystwyth University that specialises in collecting debts where the University has been unsuccessful in doing so,
• Vulnerable Person – for the purposes of this policy the term ‘vulnerable person’ refers to a person who has exceptional difficulty dealing with the payment of fees and/or charges because of their personal circumstances and who requires additional assistance in dealing with the fees and/or charges in order to meet their financial obligation. Aberystwyth University therefore undertakes a broad definition of vulnerability and each case will be decided on its own merits; further evidence may be requested where appropriate.