Consumer information

Federal regulations require schools to disclose specific consumer information to prospective and enrolled students.

The following is a summary of the consumer information topic areas with links to policies, information and resources. If you need assistance or paper copies, please contact the University's Financial Aid Administrators.

  • Student Financial Aid information

    See information about all the need-based and non-need-based federal, local, private and institutional student financial assistance programmes for Sussex studnents:

    Please see our American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid web pages for information about:

    • terms and conditions of the Title IV, HEA (Higher Education Act) loans
    • criteria for selecting recipients and for determining the award amount
    • eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for aid
    • methods and frequency of disbursements of aid
    • rights and responsibilities of students receiving Title IV, HEA student financial aid, including the criteria for continued student eligibility and standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress
    • terms of loans received as part of the financial aid package and the necessity for repaying loans
    • procedures and forms by which students apply for assistance
    • the exit counseling information the University collects and provides to servicers.

    At the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ:

    • programmes with a compulsory study abroad year are not eligible for financial aid 
    • programmes with a voluntary (optional) study abroad period are not eligible for financial aid 
    • employment is not provided as part of the financial aid package.
  • Facilities and services available to disabled students

    See our for information about the facilities and services available to disabled students, including students with intellectual disabilities known as Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD).

  • Price (cost) of attendance
  • Refund policy, requirements for withdrawal and return of Title IV Financial Aid
  • Academic Programme (Educational Programme, Instructional Facilities and Faculty)

    Current degree programmes and instructional, laboratory and other physical plant facilities that relate to the academic programme:

    Other educational and training programmes:

    Faculty and other instructional personnel:

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  • Privacy of student records and data security

    Your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 are outlined on the University's  web pages including your right to access your personal data and how to make a data access request.

    The University's information security policies and procedures can be found here.

    Should you have a complaint about the processing or handling of your data, you have the right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education, although it would be preferable for you to contact the University in the first instance so that we can try to resolve the problem for you.

  • Student loan information published by the US Department of Education

    The University will provide information published by the US Department of Education to students at any time that information regarding loan availability is requested, including the rights and responsibilities of students and schools under Title IV HEA (Higher Education Act) loan programmes.

  • National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

    If you take out a Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized or Direct PLUS loan through the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ the details of your loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.

  • Entrance Counseling for student loan borrowers

    Prior to the first disbursement, first-time borrowers of a Federal Direct Loan (other than Parent PLUS loans) will be provided with comprehensive information on the terms and conditions of the loan and of the borrower’s responsibilities through Entrance Counseling. The ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ requires Entrance Counseling to be completed through StudentAid.gov before a loan is approved.

  • PLUS Credit Counseling for student loan borrowers

    Prior to the first disbursement, borrowers (students and parents) who are informed by the US Department of Education that they have an adverse credit history (and have obtained an endorser or documented extenuating circumstances to the satisfaction of the US Department of Education) will be required to complete PLUS Credit Counseling. The ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ requires PLUS Credit Counseling to be completed through StudentAid.gov.

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  • Exit Counseling for student loan borrowers

    The University will provide Exit Counseling to borrowers of loans under the Direct Loan programme (other than Parent PLUS loans) shortly before the student borrower ceases at least half-time study at the University. The ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ requires Exit Counseling to be completed through StudentAid.gov. Any student who fails to complete exit counseling via StudentAid.gov will be sent an email containing a PDF version of the ‘Direct Loan Exit Counseling Guide’ published by the US Department of Education. If a student does not have an active / valid personal email address, a copy of the Guide will be posted to them at their last known address.

  • Private Education Loan disclosures (including self-certification form)

    You may choose to take out a private loan through a private education lender. You should, however, in the first instance check out your eligibility for federal Direct Loans as the terms and conditions of these loans may be more favourable than those for private education loans. 

  • Code of Conduct for Private Education Loans

    In order to prohibit a conflict of interest with the responsibilities of an agent with respect to private education loans, all agents at the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ with responsibility for US loans are prohibited from:

    • revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender
    • receiving gifts from a lender, a guarantor, or a loan servicer
    • contracting arrangements providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender
    • directing borrowers to particular lenders or refusing or delaying loan certifications
    • offers of funds for private loans
    • call center or financial aid office staffing assistance
    • advisory board compensation.

    All agents with responsibility for US loans are reminded annually of the provisions of the code.

    If a student or parent is applying for a US Private Education Loan, the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ will work with whichever private education lender they decide to use, if the lender is willing to work with the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ (a foreign institution). Please note that the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ is only aware of four private education lenders currently offering such loans: Sallie Mae; VSAC (for Vermont residents), HESAA (for New Jersey residents) and Earnest. These are not preferred lenders and this does not represent a preferred lender arrangement.

  • Tax return (IRS Tax Form 1098-T)

    The University does not currently complete IRS Tax Form 1098-T for students (or parents of dependent undergraduate students) to claim an education tax credit. The University does not have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) which is required on the tax form and the form will be rejected without this number.

    Student Accounts provide, upon request, a receipt for tuition fees paid that you can submit with your tax return. To request a receipt please call Student Accounts on: +44 800 849 4979 or email: studentaccounts@sussex.ac.uk.

  • 529 plans

    A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future college costs. Legally known as ‘Qualified Tuition Plans’, they are sponsored by States and are authorised by section 529 of the IRS code.

    If you have a 529 plan, you may be eligible to use this for your studies at the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ. You should be able to check with your plan administrator, but since the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ is a Title IV-approved school (code G06699), you can probably use your plan here.

    Please forward any forms that need to be completed by the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ to studentaccounts@sussex.ac.uk.

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  • University regulations and policies

    Find relating to students at the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ. We also have specific regulations and policies for research students.