Consumer information

As a participating institution in the William D. Ford Federal Direction Loan Programme, Liverpool John Moores University is required to provide the following consumer information. Should you require any further information about this content, please complete a student enquiry form.

Student financial aid information

For information about all need based and non-need based financial assistance available to international students at LJMU, please visit our fees and finance section.

Information on the following is provided on LJMU’s designated US Loans webpage Financial Aid for US Students. Should you require further clarification, please complete a student enquiry form.

Rights and responsibilities of students receiving aid

By accepting your loan, you are making a promise to accept the responsibilities that come with it. It is therefore important you understand your rights.  Further information can be found within LJMU’s Default Management Plan.

  • This is a loan and it must be repaid. Information on repayment plans is available on the Federal Student Aid website.
  • Interest will be charged. Additional information on interest rates and how each loan is structured is available on the Federal Student Aid website.
  • If you default on a loan, there may be penalties imposed by your lender. It is therefore very important you read everything from your lender carefully.
  • If you chose to withdraw or take a break from your studies, you will be subject to the University’s Withdrawal Policy, for more information about withdrawing from your course see Student Regulations.
  • You are required to:
    • Use your loan for educational purposes.
    • Tell your lender about any changes, including change of address or change of course.
  • You have a right to:
    • Prepay your loan early without any consequences.
    • Deferent on previous loans.
    • Written information of your obligations.
    • Explanation of consequences of default.
    • Notification if your loan is sold.

In order to retain eligibility for your loans you should meet the following academic requirements:

  • not exceed 150% of the published timeframe for the course and should remain enrolled on at least part-time (half-time) status
  • pass any taught modules with a minimum pass mark for that module
  • meet any relevant contact points each term as required

Academic programmes

Details of courses available at Liverpool John Moores University are available from our course fact file pages.

Please be aware that the following programmes are considered ineligible for U.S. Federal Direct Loans:

  • programmes that are less than half time
  • programmes delivered through distance learning / Telecommunication
  • programmes partially delivered by a partner institution that is not Title IV eligible
  • Nursing programmes, for example BSc Nursing / Midwifery
  • Graduate Certificates / Diplomas
  • Certificates of Higher Education
  • Apprenticeship programmes
  • Visiting and exchange students or students on an Erasmus/Study Abroad programmes (Students apply for funds through home institution)
  • Courses taught by any of LJMU's partners who are not eligible to deliver US loans
  • Top-Up Degree Programmes
  • Foundation Degree Programmes

Eligible Programmes

Written Arrangements; 34 CFR. 600.52

LJMU are authorised to enter in written arrangements with a Foreign & US Institution but must meet the US Federal Aid Regulations.

An ineligible foreign or UK institution that meets ‘34 CFR 600.52’ may offer no more than 25% of LJMU’s programme. LJMU need to confirm that the ineligible institution meets the requirements ‘34 CFR. 600.52 (1)(iii) and (iv) or the programme becomes ineligible for title IV Aid.

An eligible host institution in the United States may offer up to 25% of LJMU’s programme, this arrangement excludes any form of dissertation research work as part of a Doctoral programme.

The Department is declining to permit stacking of the allowance for a student to complete up to 25 percent of their program at an eligible institution in the United States under proposed § 600.52. However, an exception is permitted for independent research done by an individual student in the United States for not more than one academic year for research conducted during the dissertation phase of a doctoral program (where the research can only be performed at a facility in the United States) under current § 600.51.

Study Abroad and UK Placement

Federal aid is not available for students attending Liverpool John Moores University who wish to undertake a study abroad programme or work placement whilst studying on a standard full-time programme.

All US undergraduate students are admitted onto a standard 3-year full-time degree programme due to UKVI reporting requirements. Many undergraduate programmes have an approved option of an additional year between the second and third years of their degree programme. That year could consist of a full-time work placement or a year studying at a partner university abroad. The LJMU Course Catalogue will show whether an additional year has been approved as an option on the programme. The work placement and study abroad options are an integral part of the programme and credit will be awarded to students who successfully complete the placement or study abroad. Work placements and study years abroad are subject to availability and students require approval by the university prior to transfer to the extended programme. Students must extend their visa to cover the whole duration of the extended programme and Title IV funding will be made available to cover this period by the US loans administrator. Please contact g.laing@ljmu.ac.uk for further information.

U.S. students who come to Liverpool John Moores University on a study abroad programme from a U.S. institution and are enrolled on a programme at LJMU which is approved for credit by their home institution, may be considered enrolled in their home institution for purposes of applying for U.S. Federal Student Aid.

It is advisable to check with Registry Services for advice if any part of your course has a placement or period away from the University, the US Loans administrator will check to ensure that your eligibility for Title IV Direct Loans will not be affected. Please keep us informed of any changes you make during your studies at LJMU.  If any part of your programme includes time away from LJMU, email studentadministration@ljmu.ac.uk

Withdrawal, Refunds and Return of Title IV Policy

All US students in receipt of Federal Loans should visit to the University’s Financial Aid for US Students webpage (Change of Circumstances) if you are intending to withdraw from your programme of study at LJMU.

The information contained within this section explains the withdrawal process and any refund due after the withdrawal process has been actioned and (R2T4) calculation.

US Federal Regulations require The University to complete a Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation if you intend to withdraw from your studies at LJMU or transfer to an ineligible programme of study within the University.

Recipients of Title IV funds are required to be enrolled at least Half-time on an eligible programme, any change to an enrolment status, students are legally required to inform the University of this change, so all further disbursements can be cancelled, and loans amended to reflect the change in status.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

View the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP).

Cost of attendance

View a breakdown of our cost of attendance.

Leave of Absence policy

View LJMU’s LOA Policy.

School and programme approval and accreditation

Liverpool John Moores University is registered as a Higher Learning Institution, details of our registration can be found on the Office for Students Website. 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is not applicable in the UK. You also have similar data privacy rights protected by UK and European law under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the new General Data Protection Regulations that came into effect in May 2018. For further information regarding the privacy of student records, please see our webpage.

We will not disclose your information to any individual or organisation without your consent, unless there is a legal basis for doing so. Further information can be found on our Data protection and information governance webpages.

Liverpool John Moores University will share data with the US Department of Education relating to academic achievement and attendance, this is a requirement under Federal Regulations pertaining to Title IV aid. Students completing Master Promissory notes as part of the FAFSA application process are consenting to share data. Further Information regarding your personal data and who can access this can be found within your FAFSA, MPN’s.

Find out more about the UK’s Data Protection.

Education records and privacy

Your rights to review educational records and procedures is outlined in the University’s Data Protection and Freedom of Information Policies.

Professional bodies

Please find a list of our affiliate professional bodies.

Retention rates

For information on retention rates for all certificate degree-seeking, first time, full time undergraduates, please refer to the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Placement rates and graduate professional information

For information on placement and types of employment obtained by graduates (undergraduate and graduate), please reference the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Transfer of credit

Accreditation for Prior Learning is covered under the RPEL Policy.

Textbook information

All textbooks and recommended reading materials are available through our library services, therefore students are not required to purchase any books unless they choose to. You may search the library catalogue.

Student loan information published by the Department of Education

Liverpool John Moores University will provide information published by the Department of Education to any student who requests it. This includes the rights and responsibilities of students and schools under Title IV HEA (Higher Education Act) loan programmes.

National Student Loan Data System

Details of students obtaining Federal Loans at LJMU will be submitted to National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This data will be accessible to guaranty agencies, lenders and schools determined to be authorised users of the data system.

Entrance Counselling

Prior to any loan origination for Direct Loans at Liverpool John Moores University, all students must complete Entrance Counselling, as provided on the Federal Student Loans website, StudentAid.gov. Evidence of the completed process (PDF Copies) must be emailed to the following address: studentadministration@ljmu.ac.uk before loans can be originated.

Exit Counselling

Exit counselling provides important information to prepare you to repay your Federal Student Loan(s). Students coming to the end of their studies are required to complete Exit Counselling for each type of Federal US Loan borrowed. Exit Counselling can be completed on the Federal Student Loans website, StudentAid.gov. This counselling complies with all Federal Exit Counselling requirements.

Registry Services will send out reminders to all US students in receipt of Title 1V Aid prior to completing your studies at LJMU.

Vaccinations

LJMU does not require students to be vaccinated; the UK Department of Health recommends that international students be vaccinated for the following diseases before beginning their studies in the UK:

  • Meningitis (ACWY)
  • MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella also known as German measles)
  • Diphtheria
  • Polio
  • Tetanus
  • Tuberculosis

Prospective students should check with their local medical practitioner to ensure that their vaccinations are current, and for up-to-date information relevant to the UK.

For further information please contact our Student Advice and Wellbeing team.

Campus facilities and disability services

Information on services and facilities for students with disabilities can be found on the disabled students support page.

Plagiarism and copyright information

Please visit see our policies on copyright, data protection and freedom of information. Information on plagiarism is contained within the Academic Misconduct Policy.

Private education loan disclosures

Liverpool John Moores University has no preferred private lender. In most cases LJMU will work with any lender that a prospective borrower wishes to use. Please be aware that many private lenders will not offer loans to those students studying outside the United States. Please see our private loans and preferred lender list.

It is important for prospective borrowers to note that you may qualify for FSA loans and that the terms and conditions of an FSA loan may be more favourable than the provisions of private education loans.

LJMU receives no incentives from any private lenders.

A comparison between Federal and Private Loans is published via the Federal Student Aid website. 

Code of conduct for education loans

In order to prohibit a conflict of interest with the responsibilities of an agent with respect to private education loan, all staff at LJMU with responsibility for federal and private education loans from the US are prohibited from the following:

  • 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 centre or financial aid office staffing assistance
  • advisory board compensation

Education records and privacy

Your right to review educational records and procedures is set out within the University’s Data Protection Policy.

Misrepresentation

Liverpool John Moores University is committed to operating in an environment of integrity and strives to offer students and parents accurate and timely information. 

As per Federal regulations (34 CFR 668 Subpart F), LJMU will continue to operate at the highest levels of integrity and will not knowingly provide any false or misleading statements to a student or prospective student, including the family members of an enrolled or prospective student, or to the US Department of Education.

The US Department of Education’s regulations pertaining to Misrepresentation are listed below:

Misrepresentation is defined as a false, incorrect, or misleading statement made directly or indirectly to a student, prospective student, any member of the public, an accrediting agency, a government agency, or the US Department of Education.

A statement is any communication made in writing, visually, orally or through other means. This definition applies to statements made by an eligible institution, the institution’s representatives, or any ineligible institution, organisation, or person with whom the eligible institution has an agreement to provide educational programmes or those that provide marketing, advertising, recruiting, or admissions services.

Substantial misrepresentation occurs when a misrepresentation upon which a person could reasonably be expected to rely causes harm. Substantial misrepresentations are prohibited in all forms, including those made in any advertising or promotional materials or in the marketing or sale of courses or programs of instruction offered by the Institution. An institution, one of its representatives, or a related party engages in substantial misrepresentation when it does so about the nature of its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates.

If the US Department of Education determines that an eligible Institution has engaged in substantial misrepresentation, it may impose sanctions against the institution.

LJMU is committed to operating in an environment of integrity. Each member of the Institution is responsible for assuring that the actions and activities conducted at the University promote such an environment.

LJMU is committed to providing up-to-date information relating to all fee related information including scholarships, course fees, refund policies and annual Cost of Attendance.

All students should be aware, misreporting information on an application is a violation of Law and LJMU will report any suspected cases to the US Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General.

Crime statistics

Please visit Police.UK for information on crime statistics in Liverpool.

Athletic programme disclosures

Liverpool John Moores University does not have an 'intercollegiate athletic programme' as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gainful employment

Liverpool John Moores University, as a non-U.S. university, is not required to participate in gainful employment (GE) reporting as we are approved only to provide Federal lending for students on a standard degree-granting.

Drug and alcohol abuse prevention

LJMU’s policy on drug and alcohol abuse can be found within the Policy Centre - Health and Safety Code of Practice documents WPC1 Drugs and WPC2 Alcohol.

Mature Student Regulations

US Department of Education state that ‘Mature Students’ applying for Federal Student Aid must have a High School diploma or an equivalent secondary school completion credential.

Safeguarding Policy

View the Liverpool John Moores University Safeguarding Policy.

Criminal Convictions Policy

View the Liverpool John Moores University Criminal Convictions Policy.

Complaints Policy

View the Liverpool John Moores University Complaints Policy.

Written Arrangements

Liverpool John Moores University does not have any written arrangement with any other institutions (consortium or contractual agreements).

1098T Forms

Liverpool John Moores University does not currently complete 1098T tax forms for its students.


U.S. financial aid options

Federal loans

U.S. financial aid options

Federal loans