Refund Request FAQs
"Refunds are reviewed and processed in approximately 2-3 weeks during off peak periods and upto 6 weeks during peak periods i.e Enrolement ".
Q - Why do I have to fill out the form, why can't you just refund me?
A - We need all the information requested on the form in order to process your refund as quickly as possible therefore we need you to complete the form in full and, with all requested documentation attached, return it to us.
Q - How long will it take for my refund to be processed?
A - It will take up to 6 weeks once we have received all of the necessary documentation, if you do not supply us with everything required, as set out in the refund check list, there may be a delay to your refund request.
Q - My refund is for Rent how can apply for this?
A - Please contact Residential Services on 020 8223 5094 or email dlres@uel.ac.uk.
Q - How will my money be refunded to me?
A - If you paid by debit / credit card we are obliged under Financial Regulations to return the money to this card.
If you paid by any other means then we will pay this back into your bank account by BACS transfer.
Q - I paid from my bank account in my home country can this be refunded to my bank account in the UK?
A - No, under Financial Regulations we are obliged to pay this back to the country that the money originated from.
Q - Someone else paid my fees can the money be refunded back to me?
A - If they were paid by debit / credit card or from an overseas account we will have to adhere to Financial Regulations, as set out above. If however, neither of these are the case then the third party payee will need to give us written permission to pay the refund back to you.
Q - What do you mean by "My Tuition Fees were paid by?"
A - This is the name of the company or person who paid your fees originally. If this was you then tick that box only. If they were paid by another please tick next to the box which best corresponds to your circumstances and then state their name in the box provided.
Q - What is an Intermediately Bank?
A - Some International bank accounts require us to make a payment to a UK bank which your international bank has an agreement with; they will then in turn pay this money to your bank, who will in turn deposit it into your account. Your bank will be able to advise you whether this is the case for them and supply you with the details of their elected Intermediately Bank.
Q - What are IBAN and Swift Codes?
A - These are only required for non UK bank accounts and act in the same way that a Sort Code does in the UK; identifying the bank and / account details. Swift codes are for International accounts and IBAN for European accounts. You will need to contact your bank for these details.
Q - I paid by Direct Debit so you have my account details, can't you just refund back to this account?
A -Yes please tick YES to having paid by Direct Debit under Refund Method we will then refund to this account.
Q - I want a cheque refund why do you charge £25?
A - Cheque refunds take more administrative work and it costs us more to refund in this way, therefore we have to pass on this cost to those people who request to be paid in this way.
Q - I don't know how to fill in the Reason for Refund section.
A - The actual boxes that you tick in this section will depend on why you are applying for a refund. However, you need to fill this in in the same way no matter what reason for your application. You need to look down the headings on the left hand side and tick the appropriate box i.e. if an overpayment tick this box. Once you have selected the reason for your refund you need to move onto the section to the immediate right hand side where you will find a checklist which advises you of any further documentation we will need to process your refund. Please take care when completing this section and read through the required documentation section carefully to ensure that you have included this will your refund request; we will not be able to process your refund until we have this information. Please feel free to add further comments to the Extra Comments section if you feel this will help.
Q - You've asked me for documentation that I don't have.
A -The information that we have requested is the minimum that we require to complete your refund so you should have this. If you do not and have no way of getting please contact us on 020 8223 7526 or email finance.registry@uel.ac.uk
Q - I have not informed my School I want to withdraw should I do this first?
A - Yes, your School will need to be aware that you have withdrawn; your School will then need to contact Student Records to update your record.
Q - I've withdrawn part way through my course how much of a refund am I eligible for?
A -Please refer to the current fees policy at http://www.uel.ac.uk/essguide/part2/section_l/
Q - What is a "Financial Notification"?
A - This is issued to you by the Student Loans Company (SLC) and details the amount of loan / grant that the SLC will be paying on your behalf. If you have not received this please contact the SLC.
Q - What proof can I provide that I am being sponsored by an employer / other?
A - A signed and completed Company Sponsor Form or a letter on official headed company paper, stating the amount that you are being sponsored for.
Q - I've supplied the Company Sponsor proof, why do you need to wait for them to pay?
A - We need them to have paid their contribution to your fees before we process the refund just in case there are any problems with the payment.
Q - I'm an International student who hasn't returned home yet why can't I get my refund?
A - As an International student who has entered the UK on a student visa we need you to return home as you are no longer studying at UEL and therefore no longer fulfil the circumstances under which your visa was issued.
Q - Why does the University I am transferring to have to be publicly funded?
A - Your visa was issued to you on the grounds that you studied at UEL, as other publicly funded institutions must adhere to the same rules and regulations as UEL we can be sure that transferring would not affect your visa in anyway.
Q - I have an outstanding rent debt but don't want to us my tuition fee credit against this do I have to?
A - We will not be able to process your tuition fee refund until you have paid the balance of your rent debt off. This does not need to come from your tuition fee credit but must be paid in full.
Q - I don't understand why I have a rent debt.
A - You will need to contact Residential Services on 020 8223 5094 or email dlres@uel.ac.uk
Q - What if I don't attach all the documentation and or fill in the form in full?
A - If we do need to get back to you for any further information a delay may be caused to your refund request.
We will attempt to contact you twice for this information but if unable to make contact we will keep your request on file until you contact us back.
Useful links
- Agresso System
- Our Student Charter Commitments
- Our Fees Policies
- Our Opening Times
- Our Financial Statements
- How to Pay Money to UEL
- UEL's Financial Regulations
- UEL's Staff Expenses Policy
- UEL Progress Bursary
- Approved Ethical Investment Policy
