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Help and Support


Help and Support

How can we help?

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If you can't find the answer to your question, please contact us here.

Scheme - Sussex Aspire

Do I need to apply for the Sussex Aspire awards?

Yes, you do need to apply for these awards.

Further information can be found here or you can contact the University at studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk.

How can I use my funds?

These funds are "cash" funds. They are loaded to a personal Sussex Aspire account that is set up by the university for eligible students. These funds can be withdrawn as cash.

Looking for more answers?

When do my funds expire?

What awards are available to access through the Sussex Aspire portal?

There are several awards that can be accessed through the Sussex Aspire portal. Please see them below:

  • Office for Students Fund
  • Academic Award Fund
  • Sussex Hardship Fund
  • Welfare Loans


What is the Sussex Aspire scheme?

Sussex Aspire has been set up to support your student journey. The portal has been specifically designed to support your student experience in accessing financial support such as hardship funds or welfare loans you may be eligible to receive.

What is the Sussex Aspire scheme?

Sussex Aspire helps you make the very best of your time at University by improving access to the funds you need to support your studies.

When do my funds expire?

Please see the expiry dates for the funds below:

Office for Students Fund: 29th of July

Academic Award Fund: 29th of July

Sussex Hardship Fund: 29th of July

Welfare Loans: Please check with the university.

When will I get my funds?

Eligible students will automatically receive an email once the funds have been issued and your Sussex Aspire account is ready for you to log in.

Who are eligible for the Sussex Aspire awards?

Eligibility is assessed based on student needs.

You can find more information about the available awards by clicking here or you can contact studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk.

Why haven't I received any funds?

If you believe you are eligible to receive funds via Sussex Aspire please contact the university.

It may be that you have not completed enrolment, have outstanding debts or there may have been an delay with the data uploading. The university will be able to look into this and advise you correctly.

Account

Do I need to register for an account?

If you are eligible for funds through Sussex Aspire you do not need to register or create an account on the Sussex Aspire portal.

A personal account will be created for you automatically when your funds are awarded and an email with the details will be sent to you when the account is ready for you to log in.

If you are not eligible to receive funds through Sussex Aspire, you will need to register for an account to access the shop and the free resources on the Sussex Aspire portal.

How can I update my 2FA mobile number?

If you need to update your 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) mobile number, go to 'My Account', 'Edit My Details'.

For UK mobile numbers: Enter the mobile number you want to use in the "2FA Cash Withdrawal Mobile Number" box and click on "Update Details".

For International mobile numbers: Tick the "I don't have a UK mobile phone number" box under the "2FA Cash Withdrawal Mobile Number" section, you will then have the option to enter your international mobile number.

Then click on "Update Details".

Please allow up to 5 minutes for the system to update before starting your cash withdrawal.

If you have already started withdrawing your cash funds before updating your number, this will automatically cancel any withdrawals that you have not completed.

Please allow up to 5 minutes for the system to update, before starting the withdrawal process again.

How do I delete my account?

If you wish to delete your account please contact us.

Please note: Once deleted, any remaining funds and/or order details will no longer be accessible.

Looking for more answers?

How do I update my details on my account?

How do I opt in/out of marketing?

When you first logged into your account you were given the choice to opt in/out of marketing.

If you wish to change your preferences, go to 'My Account', 'Contact Preferences'. Please make sure to save your changes.

How do I update my details on my account?

To update your personal details, go to 'My Account', 'Edit My Details'.

If you have other details you require to be updated please contact us.

I can't access my account?

Please double check you are entering the correct username and password. 

If you can't remember your password after your Sussex Aspire account has been set up:

- Go to the login area

- Click on 'Forgot Password' under the login section

- Enter your Sussex Aspire account email address in the box and press forgot password.

A secure email will then be sent to you with a password reset link.

If you are still having trouble accessing your account, please contact us.

My account is not verified, what should I do?

If your account is showing as "not verified" please contact us and we will be happy to look into this for you.

What are my login details?

If you are eligible for funds through Sussex Aspire, you will be sent an email with the log-in details once your personal Sussex Aspire account is ready for you to log in.

When you login for the first time you will be prompted to change your password to something more memorable and secure.

If you are not eligible for funds through Sussex Aspire, your login details will be the ones you used to set-up your own Sussex Aspire account.

Where can I find my account balance?

Your account balance is displayed at the top-right of the page on desktop/laptop, and under the menu on mobile when you are logged in.

You can also check your balance by going to 'My Account', 'Check My Balance'.

Where can I find my transaction history?

Once logged in, go to 'My Account', 'My Transactions'.

If you have been awarded funds, this page will show you when those funds were added to your Sussex Aspire account, spent, refunded or expired.

Funds

Are these funds a loan? Do I have to pay them back?

Some may not need to be paid back, but others like the Welfare Loan may need to be paid back.

Further information on the available bursaries can be found here or you can contact the university at studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk.

Can the funds be taken away from me after they have awarded to my Sussex Aspire account?

Yes, the university can reclaim or restrict access to funds that they have issued. This may happen if:

  • funds were issued in error,
  • you are no longer eligible for the award due to a change of course,
  • you are suspended pending disciplinary action,
  • you interrupt or defer your studies,
  • you repeat a year or module,
  • you have gone on placement,
  • you have left university or graduated.

There may be other reasons not listed above.

How can I check the status of my withdrawal?

You can check the status of your withdrawal by going to 'My Account', 'My Transactions'. 

Should there be any further action required, you will be instructed to click a link to continue the process. 

If you need further help with this please contact us.

How can I update my 2FA mobile number?

If you need to update your 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) mobile number, go to 'My Account', 'Edit My Details'.

For UK mobile numbers: Enter the mobile number you want to use in the "2FA Cash Withdrawal Mobile Number" box and click on "Update Details".

For International mobile numbers: Tick the "I don't have a UK mobile phone number" box under the "2FA Cash Withdrawal Mobile Number" section, you will then have the option to enter your international mobile number.

Then click on "Update Details".

Please allow up to 5 minutes for the system to update before starting your cash withdrawal.

If you have already started withdrawing your cash funds before updating your number, this will automatically cancel any withdrawals that you have not completed.

Please allow up to 5 minutes for the system to update, before starting the withdrawal process again.

How can I use my funds?

These funds are "cash" funds. They are loaded to a personal Sussex Aspire account that is set up by the university for eligible students. These funds can be withdrawn as cash.

Looking for more answers?

When do my funds expire?

How do I withdraw my funds?

Cash awards can be withdrawn directly into your bank account.

For information on exactly how to withdraw, please see the video here: HOW TO WITHDRAW VIDEO

Please note: If you chose to enter your bank details manually rather than through your banking app, please triple check you enter your sort code and account number correctly as mistakes can't be rectified once the transaction has completed.

How much can I withdraw?

The maximum limit is your available withdrawal balance, this is shown on your screen. The minimum value is £20, or if the balance is below £20 then the full value under £20 can be withdrawn.

I don't have a UK Bank Account, can I still withdraw my funds?

You do need a UK based or GBP/Sterling(£) bank account to be able to withdraw your funds.

If you do not have a UK based bank account, the Payit service does allow GBP/Sterling(£) payments into neobank* accounts such as Monzo, Revolut and Wise where a GBP/Sterling(£) pot has been created in the account. This method has been used by other international recipients to successfully withdraw their funds.

If you do not have a UK based or GBP/Sterling(£) bank account, and do not want to set-up an account with a neobank please contact student services or the department that awarded your funds.

*Neobanks are online financial services that offer digital banking options and do not have a physical location. We cannot make any recommendation on which banks you should choose to use. Any queries about the services they offer should be directed to the individual companies.

I haven't received the secure SMS code?

Please ensure that you have good service and that your 2FA mobile number is correct on your account*. The SMS code may take up to 15 minutes to arrive.

*If you notice that your 2FA mobile number is incorrect, you can update it by going to 'My Account', 'Edit My Details'. Further information on this process can be found under question "How can I update my 2FA moblie number?"

My bank isn't listed on Payit, how do I complete the transaction?

If you cannot find your bank in the list, or you do not use mobile banking, choose the option 'Can't see your bank?' and simply enter your bank account number and sort-code.

Please note: If you chose to enter your bank details manually rather than through your banking app, please triple check you enter your sort code and account number correctly, as mistakes can't be rectified once the transaction has completed.

My funds haven't arrived in my bank account, what's happened?

If your funds have disappeared from your Sussex Aspire account and haven't yet arrived in your bank account, it is likely that you have not completed the withdrawal process.

When you start the withdrawal process, the requested amount is put aside until you submit all the information required to send the money to your bank account.

You can check the status of your withdrawal by going to 'My Account', 'My Transactions'.

If the transaction status shows as 'Click Here To Claim Your Funds ' you will need to click the link and continue the process to withdraw your funds into your bank account.

All incomplete withdrawals expire at midnight, so if you do not complete all the steps to withdraw the funds before then, the request will be cancelled and the funds will be automatically returned to your Sussex Aspire account.

For a reminder on how to withdraw your funds, please see the video: HOW TO WITHDRAW

My transaction is locked, what should I do?

Please contact us and our team can unlock the transaction for you.

Once unlocked you will be able to continue withdrawing your funds by clicking on the 'Click Here To Claim Your Funds ' link under the 'My Transactions' section of your account.

My withdrawal has failed, what do I do?

This may have happened if the banking systems are experiencing technical difficulties.

You can continue the withdrawal process by:

  • Clearing the cookies on your web browser (if you are using a mobile switch off and restart your phone.)
  • Log back in to your Sussex Aspire Account, go to 'My Account', 'My Transactions' and click the 'Click Here To Claim Your Funds' link under the transaction you are trying to withdraw.
  • Once you get to the stage where you select your bank, scroll to the bottom of the list, select 'Can't see your bank?'
  • Enter your bank details manually.

If this does not work please take a screenshot/picture of the error message and contact us.

My withdrawal status hasn't updated, what should I do?

Please allow up to 5 minutes for your withdrawal status to update to 'Click Here To Claim Your Funds'.

If you have not received your confirmation email and your Transaction Status has not updated to 'Click Here To Claim Your Funds' within 2 hours please contact us so we can look into this for you.

What happens if I don't use my funds?

If you don't use your funds before they expire, any remaining balance will be removed and you will no longer be able to use those funds.

When do my funds expire?

Please see the expiry dates for the funds below:

Office for Students Fund: 29th of July

Academic Award Fund: 29th of July

Sussex Hardship Fund: 29th of July

Welfare Loans: Please check with the university.

When will I get my funds?

Eligible students will automatically receive an email once the funds have been issued and your Sussex Aspire account is ready for you to log in.

Where can I find my account balance?

Your account balance is displayed at the top-right of the page on desktop/laptop, and under the menu on mobile when you are logged in.

You can also check your balance by going to 'My Account', 'Check My Balance'.

Where can I find my transaction history?

Once logged in, go to 'My Account', 'My Transactions'.

If you have been awarded funds, this page will show you when those funds were added to your Sussex Aspire account, spent, refunded or expired.

Where can I find my Transaction Reference number?

Your transaction reference number was shown on screen when you started withdrawing your funds.

You can also find it by going to 'My Account', 'My Transactions'. 

Why can't I withdraw my funds?

If your withdrawable funds are showing a "£0.00" balance but you have funds in your account, please contact us so that we can look into this for you.

Looking for more answers?

How can I use my funds?

Why have my funds disappeared?

There are a few reasons that funds may no longer be visible.

  • Funds may have been spent or expired, or in some cases the amount awarded is adjusted or removed by the Institution. You can check for these changes by looking at your transaction history under 'My Transactions' on your Sussex Aspire account.
  • If you have withdrawn, deferred, are currently on placement or redoing a module/year, your account may have been put on stop. This means the funds may not have been removed but access to them has. These changes don't always reflect under 'My Transactions'.

If you are still unclear on why your funds have disappeared, please contact us.

Why haven't I received any funds?

If you believe you are eligible to receive funds via Sussex Aspire please contact the university.

It may be that you have not completed enrolment, have outstanding debts or there may have been an delay with the data uploading. The university will be able to look into this and advise you correctly.

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University of Sussex