BU Bursary/Scholarship Card | FAQs

Q.  Will I receive a physical card?
A. No.  You will receive an email with your username asking you to set your password.  You can then log in to view your card details.  These details can be copied for online purchases or added to your Google Pay or Apple Pay digital wallets.

Q. How do I add my card to my mobile wallet
A. You can add your BU Bursary/Scholarship Card card via http://www.BUBursary.co.uk  in a few simple steps;

Apple
1) Login to your account, select the 'Your Card' option and copy your card details.
2) Add your card details to your mobile wallet - for more info on how to do this, please click here.
3) Your virtual Cashback card is now active and available in your mobile wallet. 
4) Use your digital card online or in-store to earn Cashback with our retail partners.

Android
1) Login to your account, select the 'Your Card' option and copy your card details.
2) Add your card details to your mobile wallet - for more info on how to do this, please click here
3) Your virtual Cashback card is now active and available in your mobile wallet. 
4) Use your digital card online or in-store to earn Cashback with our retail partners.

Q. What is the BU Bursary/Scholarship Card?
A. The BU Bursary/Scholarship Card is a VISA Card. It is a prepaid card (NOT a credit card). Once bursary/scholarship funds have cleared on your card account, you can use the card and spend the balance as you would with a debit card, plus you will start to accumulate savings when you spend at our retail partners.

Q. Where can I use my card?
A. You may use the Card at any Merchant that displays the Visa Mark, excluding limited acceptance Merchants in EU/EEA that do not accept prepaid cards.

Q. Can I use it for shopping online?
A. Yes, Visa is accepted at most online shopping sites, however, many internet sites may add delivery charges and sometimes a nominal fee to check that your card is valid.

Q. Can I spend more than funds that are on my card?
A. No the payment will be rejected if you have insufficient money on your card to pay for the goods.

Q. When will money be loaded on to my card?
A. Your bursary payments will be loaded once you have either enrolled or re-enrolled onto your course. Payments would normally be loaded over nine months, on....

ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 

5th October 2026

2nd November 2026

7th December 2026

5th January 2027

1st February 2027

1st March 2027

5th April 2027

4th May 2027

7th June 2027

Please allow 48 hours from the scheduled payment dates for the funds to reflect in your account

Q. How are my savings credited to me?
A. Cashback will only be credited to your account once your card has been topped up. If you receive a one-time payment, cashback will not be added to your account. You can monitor your monthly and yearly savings on-line.

Q. Do I receive loyalty points, i.e. Nectar, Advantage?
A. Yes, all other retailer loyalty schemes and offers can be used alongside your card.

Q. Are there any restrictions when using my card?
A. There are a few card restrictions such as gambling and adult websites (please see the "Terms and Conditions" for more information). Some retailers also have exclusions, a full list can be found on the website under "Cashback Savings".

Q. Can I use it abroad?
A. Yes, you can use your card anywhere that Visa prepaid cards are accepted, however a 2.5% foreign exchange fee will apply and you will not qualify for savings rebates.

Q. How can I check how much money I have to spend on my Card?
A. You can check your balance through the page header & "Statement" page on this website, via our hotline on 01908 228341 and via the Mobile website on www.BUBursary.co.uk.

Q. Can I use my card at Pay at pump petrol stations?
A. Your card cannot be used at pay at pump stations but you can take it to a kiosk to pay.

Q. Will I earn savings on petrol?
A. No. You also do not earn savings on non-petrol items purchased at petrol stations 

Q. Will the retailer partners where I earn savings change?
A. Occasionally we add new partners or have to take one away, but we always aim to offer a comprehensive range of outlets where you can earn savings. For a full retailer list, please refer to the "Cashback Retailers" header.

Q. My card was declined, what could the problem be?
A. Have you:-

• Got sufficient funds on the card to cover the purchase?

• Activated the card?

Q. What happens to my savings if I leave the university?

A. Savings that this card offers will only be paid whilst you remain enrolled as a student at the university and therefore will be lost.

Q. What happens if my university leaves the scheme?
A. If your company leaves the scheme you will still be able to use the remaining balance until your card expires. The savings that this card offers will only be paid whist your university is part of the scheme, therefore any savings that are earned after your final load will be lost.