Is Scholarship Agency's unconditional consent needed?

[hambvart]

Background Information

1. I came to the UK from Armenia as a Tier 4 (General) visa student to pursue MSc at Oxford from October 2016 to September 2017. I did not provide financial evidence to UKVI and received Tier 4 from September 30, 2016 until March 30, 2018, under Tier 4 Pilot Scheme.

2. I received a scholarship for my studies from an international scholarship agency.
The amount of the grant was decided of as follows:
50 percent of all expenses (tuition fees, living cost, health insurance, airfare fee).

3. Once the scholarship agency approved the amount, I requested all the amount to be used for tuition purposes, and all the money was directly transferred to the university.
I DID NOT receive any maintenances or living expenses from the agency whatsoever.
All my living costs were covered by family.

4. After I completed my MSc degree (September 2017), I applied for employment for a position of Research Assistant at Oxford University. My recruitment process was successful and I started employment on 18 January 2018. The position also qualified for Tier 2 switch from Tier 4 to Tier 2 from inside the UK (Leave to Remain).

5. Tier 2 Policy Guidance clearly defines what 'sponsored' means (see Tier 2 Policy Guidance (Version01/2018), point 18, page 19).

’sponsored’ means supported by an award which covers both fees and living costs

Questions
Do I fall under the category of sponsored student?
Do I need the Scholarship Agency's uncinditional consent?

[hambvart]

Background Information

1. I came to the UK from Armenia as a Tier 4 (General) visa student to pursue MSc at Oxford from October 2016 to September 2017. I did not provide financial evidence to UKVI and received Tier 4 from September 30, 2016 until March 30, 2018, under Tier 4 Pilot Scheme.

2. I received a scholarship for my studies from an international scholarship agency.
The amount of the grant was decided of as follows:
50 percent of all expenses (tuition fees, living cost, health insurance, airfare fee).

3. Once the scholarship agency approved the amount, I requested all the amount to be used for tuition purposes, and all the money was directly transferred to the university.
I DID NOT receive any maintenances or living expenses from the agency whatsoever.
All my living costs were covered by family.

4. After I completed my MSc degree (September 2017), I applied for employment for a position of Research Assistant at Oxford University. My recruitment process was successful and I started employment on 18 January 2018. The position also qualified for Tier 2 switch from Tier 4 to Tier 2 from inside the UK (Leave to Remain).

5. Tier 2 Policy Guidance clearly defines what 'sponsored' means (see Tier 2 Policy Guidance (Version01/2018), point 18, page 19).

’sponsored’ means supported by an award which covers both fees and living costs

Questions
Do I fall under the category of sponsored student?
Do I need the Scholarship Agency's uncinditional consent?

[hambvart]

Dear All,

I would like to inquire if you would be able to provide me advice on the following case.

Background Story

1. I came to the UK from Armenia as a Tier 4 (General) visa student to pursue MSc degree at Oxford from October 2016 to September 2017. I received a Tier 4 from September 30, 2016, until March 30, 2018, under Tier 4 Pilot Scheme.

2. For my studies at Oxford, I received a loan from an international scholarship agency.

3. The amount of the grant was decided as follows

a) I presented the Agency all the expenses associated with my studies:
cost of tuition USD 26915
cost of living and housing USD 17598
cost of health insurance USD 0
cost of educational supplies USD 4986
cost of round-way ticket USD 788

total USD 50,287.00

b) According to the Agency's regulations, the amount of the grant provided to each awardee should not exceed 50 percent of the total costs

c) I was awarded USD 23,874.00 (47.47% of total costs)

4. Once the scholarship amount was approved, I decided to use all the amount for tuition purposes and
requested the Agency to transfer all the money directly to the university (covered 95% of tuition fees).

5. I DID NOT receive any maintenances or living expenses from the Agency whatsoever. All my living costs, as well as the remaining portion of the tuition fees were covered privately.


6. After I completed my MSc degree (September 2017), I applied for employment for a position of Research Assistant at Oxford University. My recruitment process was successful and I started employment on 18 January 2018. The position also qualified for switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 from inside the UK (Tier 2 Leave to Remain).

7. Tier 2 Policy Guidance defines what 'sponsored' means
(Tier 2 Policy Guidance (Version01/2018), point 18, page 19).

’sponsored’ means supported by an award which covers both fees and living costs.

8.However, the University rejected issuing a CoS claiming that the award was intended for both tuition and maintenance costs.


Questions

Based on this information, I would kindly inquire whether:
1. I fall under the category of sponsored student;
2. I need the Scholarship Agency's unconditional consent for Tier 2;
3. The University's rejection of providing CoS was lawful.

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Vardan