National Scholarship Programme
The National Scholarship Programme began in 2012/13 and is jointly funded by the Government and City University London. The scholarship scheme is aimed at providing financial support to students from the lowest household income groups. In 2013/14 a total of £918,000 will be awarded to students over a three year period towards tuition fees and living expenses.
Eligibility criteria
- Home/UK students domiciled in England;
- With a residual household income of £16,000 a year or less as assessed by Student Finance England (SFE);
- New undergraduates starting in 2013/14.
The following groups of students will be given priority
- care leavers (previously looked-after children);
- students with a declared disability;
- self-funded (independent) students as assessed by Student Finance England (SFE).
How to apply
You do not need to complete a separate application form. When applying for student finance through Student Finance England (SFE) please give your consent to share your financial information with your university. You will then automatically be considered for a scholarship (provided you meet the eligibility criteria listed above).
Notification and Payment
Successful students will be contacted during January 2014 and cash payments will be made in two equal instalments in February and May. Each recipient will be awarded a scholarship worth £6,000 (a pro-rata amount will be paid to part-time students studying a minimum of 25 per cent intensity of the full-time equivalent) as follows:
| Tuition Fee Waiver | Cash or a further tuition fee waiver | Total value of award | |
| Year 1 | £2,000 | £1,000 | £3,000 |
| Year 2 | £1,000 | £1,000 | £2,000 |
| Year 3 | £0 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Total | £3,000 | £3,000 | £6,000 |
Please note: There are only 153 scholarships in 2013/14 to be awarded. Consequently, it cannot be guaranteed that every student who meets the eligibility criteria will receive a scholarship. The increased value of the scholarship applies from 2013/14 only.
Terms and Conditions
1. Eligible students must be registered at the University by 31 October 2013.
2. Students must be new entrants to Higher Education i.e. have not previously studied part or all of an undergraduate degree programme.
3. Students must be commencing the first year of their degree as a new student i.e. those commencing in Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 are not eligible.
4. The award is available to eligible Home/UK undergraduate students who are domiciled in England. Students who are ordinarily resident in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are not eligible.
5. Students whose tuition fees are reassessed in the middle of their degree or who restart a degree will not be eligible.
6. Students may be eligible for additional scholarships. However, students can be awarded either the National Scholarship Programme or The Lord Mayor of London Scholarship for Academic Excellence only.
7. Awards will be allocated to students from the lowest household incomes within the £0 to £16,000 household income threshold.
8. Awards do not need to be repaid.
9. Students must be fully enrolled to receive the scholarship and in subsequent years.
10. The following categories of students are not eligible:
- students in receipt of the Lord Mayor of London Scholarship for academic excellence;
- NHS-funded students;
- students directly continuing from one course to another (for example from foundation degree or HND on to the final year of an honours degree);
- students transferring in from another institution;
- students undertaking a postgraduate qualification;
- part-time students studying at less than 25 per cent intensity of the full-time equivalent course;
- any other students whose fees are paid or part-paid through a sponsorship arrangement.