Low income students faced a three-month delay in receiving bursary payments before Aberystwyth University had a change of heart in the run up to Christmas.

Students from low income households are eligible for payments to help them with study and living costs, and have always received a payment ahead of Christmas.

Students who rely on that money over the festive period, however, were told that the payments would not be made until March - a three-month delay that would could have left the poorest students in further financial difficulties.

Affected students received an email last month from the Student Support and Careers Services which said it liaised with the Cash and Fees office which administers the funding.

“This year the bursary is not being assessed until December,” university funding administrators said.

“Students should receive a letter in January if they are eligible.

“If they have received the bursary before and circumstances have not changed then they should still be eligible.

“Payments will be made in semester 2 and 3 in March and May, dates are still to be confirmed.”

Officers said they “appreciate that this may not be convenient” and that affected students “may be eligible to apply for the hardship fund”.

An Aberystwyth University spokesperson, after being approached by the Cambrian News, said that the institution would try to pay out before Christmas.

“There has been a delay in making payments to Aberystwyth Bursary holders this year and we apologise for any inconvenience,” a university spokesperson said.

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