The Government set up the National Scholarship Programme (NSP) in 2012 committing to three years of Government funding. It is to provide scholarships to the poorest students who are domiciled in England. No new awards are being made under this scheme, only renewals to continuing students.
Each university is responsible for match-funding the government allocation (thus doubling the money available) and is responsible for making the awards to its new undergraduate students.
To receive an NSP award a student must have a household income below £25,000 (i.e. students eligible to receive a full grant). Beyond that, each university will set its own eligibility criteria.
£1000 of the award may be made as a cash bursary. The remaining amount of the award must be made in the form of
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a tuition fee discount/waiver
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a discount/waiver of some other university service, such as accommodation
The LSE NSP Award
English students starting in 2014 with a household residual income of between £0 and £7,000 will receive the LSE NSP Award. The LSE NSP Award is worth £6,000 across three years of study.
In year one the NSP Award will be allocated during the Michaelmas Term, students will be contacted with confirmation of the details and payment plan by the end of term.
In the second and third years, you will be allowed to take the award as a discount on LSE accommodation or a cash bursary. (This is a change from previous years, where on going NSP awards will be put towards accommodation or a fee waiver).
The LSE NSP award does not have to be repaid.
The Government has removed the restriction on how the money can be awarded and at LSE the award will be made as follows:
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In year one if you are living in LSE accommodation £2,000 will be paid towards your accommodation. The remaining £1,000 will be paid as a cash bursary along side your LSE bursary (£500 in Lent Term and £500 in Summer Term)
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In years two and three, if you are living in LSE accommodation £1,500 will be paid towards your accommodation.
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In years two and three if you are in private accommodation £1,500 will be paid to you as a cash bursary. In addition to your LSE bursary.