The fund is for home students registered on a course in one of the following categories:

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1 Access to Learning Fund Application Form 2013/14 Important Please read the guidance notes to ensure that you complete the form correctly. Your application will be returned to you unprocessed by Standard Post if you do not answer all the appropriate sections completely. You must provide all appropriate evidence to accompany your application as listed on pages of the form. Evidence must be in the form of photocopies - do not send original documents as we are unable to return documents. Applications will take up to 4 working weeks to process Please avoid leaving claims until your finances reach crisis situation. If an application is returned due to the form not being fully completed or the need for additional evidence or information, processing will not have commenced. In this instance the 4 week processing time will begin from the date that the application is re-received correctly completed and with all necessary evidence/information. Staff are unable to comment on the progress of an application within the first 4 weeks after it s receipt. Please do not contact staff requesting a progress report or confirmation of receipt within the 4 week processing period. If you would like confirmation of receipt of your application then you may request a receipt from firstpoint if you submit it by hand at the firstpoint desk. If you submit your application via post and want confirmation of receipt then please send it recorded delivery. You may submit one new application to the fund per academic year. If you have already received an award but later experience a change of circumstances which you believe merits a further award then may reapply. To reapply an applicant must write a letter outlining their change of circumstances and requesting their award be reviewed. The letter must be accompanied by your last 3 months bank statements and any other appropriate supporting evidence. Before applying to the Access to Learning Fund, you must have applied for all the financial support to which you are entitled. Including the maximum student loans & grant following financial assessment by Student Finance (or a Professional and Career Development Loan if relevant) and Welfare Benefits if eligible. 1

2 ELIGIBILITY The fund is for home students registered on a course in one of the following categories: Undergraduates - All full time or part time, including distance learners, following a higher education course, including sandwich courses and any periods of placement. Postgraduates All full time or part time, following a course of Higher Education at a level above first degree. Students studying all or part of their course at a Partner F.E. college but registered at UW who fall into the above categories should also apply to UW. Please note that some partner college students are not eligible for the Access to Learning Fund from UW if their course is Directly Funded. In most cases this means if the students pay their fees or registration payments to the partner institution direct, rather than to the University. If you are unsure about your eligibility you should contact the University Welfare and Finance Advisers for further advice. A home student is defined as a person who meets certain residency conditions (the same conditions apply to eligibility for student support, for example, the student loan). Part time students who commenced their course before September 2012 must be studying at a minimum rate of 50% of a full time course in order to be eligible. However, disabled students whose disability prevents them from studying at least 50% of a full time course, may apply to the Access to Learning Fund if they are studying at least 25% of a full time course. Part time students who commenced their course on or after September 2012 must be studying at a minimum rate of 25% of a full time course in order to be eligible. NHS & Social Work Bursary Holders Healthcare students who receive either a means tested or non means-tested NHS bursary are eligible to apply to the Fund. Students on Leave of Absence - who have not permanently withdrawn from studies and intend to return after time out, are eligible to apply for help from the Fund. e.g. if you are unable to attend your course for health or caring reasons or for some other unavoidable circumstance you can apply for help. Priorities for Assistance Access to Learning Funds are limited and not all applicants will receive financial help or cover for their entire financial shortfall. Priority will be given to the following groups: Students with children (especially lone parents) Mature students, especially those with existing financial commitments, including priority debts Students from low income households Disabled students (especially where the DSA is unable to meet particular costs) Students who have entered Higher Education from Care Students from Foyers or who are homeless Students receiving the final year loan rate, who are in financial difficulty (including those who are unable to work because of academic pressure) Postgraduate students who are self-funding. Various criteria are considered, such as number and ages of dependent children, distance needed to travel to university, size of debts, childcare costs, extra course costs and so on. 2

3 If you are not in one of the priority groups you can still apply but you must provide as much evidence as possible to show why you have a particular need. Applications must demonstrate sensible spending. Applicants must also be able to show that they have made realistic provisions to fund their studies before commencing their course. Access to Learning Funds cannot be used to help students pay their tuition fees (with the exception of some Pre September 2012 undergraduate part time students who have exceptionally low income). If a student changes from full time or part time, or suspends their studies, some of the amount awarded may have to be returned If you require clarification before submitting your application form please contact firstpoint using the details listed at the end of this form. AWARDS AND PAYMENT Awards will be either standard some of the difference between accepted income and reasonable & necessary expenditure, or non-standard paid due to unforeseen circumstances. Applicants will be informed by letter of the result of their application, normally within four working weeks of its receipt. Awards over 750 are usually made in two instalments. Payments are usually made into the bank or building society account the applicant has listed on page 17 of the application. HOW TO APPEAL If you are not satisfied with the decision you may submit an appeal in writing (and send by post) to Susan Richardson, Senior Welfare and Financial Adviser, Peirson Centre, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ. You will receive a written response to your appeal, normally within 4 weeks of submission, this decision is final. A NOTE FOR STUDENTS ON BENEFITS Applicants are advised that payments from the Access to Learning Fund may have implications for their entitlement to Social Security benefits, particularly Income Support, Housing Benefit and certain payments from the Social Fund. For example, the Department for Work and Pensions will treat payments as capital if they are for general living expenses but will disregard them if they are for childcare, travel, books or equipment. The Welfare and Financial Advisers can supply you with a statement confirming the nature of the payment if necessary. Any queries on this subject should be taken up with the appropriate Benefits Agency. The Access to Learning Fund can also offer short-term help to continuing students at the start of the new academic year (usually September) for those whose Income Support has stopped and Housing Benefit has been reduced but who cannot yet receive their student loan and supplementary grants. If you have any questions or would like further information concerning benefits please speak to firstpoint. 3

4 GUIDANCE NOTES Section 1- About You UW Student number as shown on your UW student ID card (you will also need to provide a photocopy of this card) Age - as at 1st September Address -please put the address (include the postcode) that is to be used for correspondence and your home (permanent) address Telephone number - please include the area code address please supply the address that you use most regularly. Section 2: About your course Course Title Please state full title without acronyms Name of campus/partner institution attended Please indicate where you attend your course for most of the time i.e. UW St John s campus, City campus or another college. Distance between your term time address and the campus /institution attended please indicate how far you travel in miles from your term time address and the campus/institution that you attend for all or most of the time. Please make sure you tick the boxes to indicate both your Mode and Level of study Part time students please indicate how many modules you are studying to completion per academic year. 4

5 Academic year 2013/2014 Date of receipt (for office use only) Access to Learning Fund Application Form Section 1 ABOUT YOU (To be completed by all applicants) Surname UW Student Number Date of Birth First Name Gender Your age (years) (on 1 st Sept 2013) Male Title (Mr, Mrs, Ms etc.) Female Term Time Address Home Address (If different from term time address) Telephone Telephone Section 2 ABOUT YOUR COURSE (To be completed by all applicants) Course Title Academic department Length of course Years Date course started Name of UW campus / partner institution attended most or all of the time: Distance between your term time address and the campus /institution attended? Miles What is your Mode of Study? Full-time Part-time If you are a Part-time student, how many modules will you complete this academic year? What is your Level of study?: Undergraduate Postgraduate PGCE Is this academic year of your study: A repeat year? Your final year? Yes Yes No No A placement year? Yes No If yes is this placement : Paid Unpaid If you will be on placement, where will this placement be located? 5

6 GUIDANCE NOTES Section 3: About Your Circumstances Where you live - please tell us about where you live whilst you are studying at the University of Worcester & any other adults who also live in your home. NB. If you share your home with a boyfriend/girlfriend, partner or spouse you must list their income on page 11 of the application. If you live with parents you do not need to include their income on page 11 of the application form. You must tick yes or no for each of the questions in this section Dependants Please list any children and/or adults who live with you and are financially dependent upon you, in the appropriate section. You will be asked to provide evidence in regard to any dependents that you declare. 6

7 Section 3 ABOUT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES (To be completed by all applicants) Do you live: Alone or as lone parent? In shared accommodation In a UW hall of residence? With your spouse/partner etc. (include civil partnerships) With parents/ guardian? Other (please specify) If you are in shared accommodation: How many adults live at this address? Do you share all household expenses equally? Yes No Are you, or have you ever been in care? Yes No Are you homeless or living in a foyer hostel? Yes No Do you have any children who are financially dependent on you? No Yes If yes please give details in box below: Full name Date of birth Age Relationship Are you the main carer for these children and they live with you for most or all of the time? No Yes Do you have any adults who are financially dependent on you? Yes No Full name Date of birth Age Relationship Please answer all of the following questions: Are you a refugee or granted exceptional leave to remain in the UK? Yes No Have you been living in the U.K. 3 years* prior to the start of your course? Yes No (* Do not include any time spent in the U.K. wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education) Are you a U.K. national Yes No Are you an EU national Yes No Are you an EEA or Swiss Migrant Worker? Yes No If you are an EEA/Swiss worker do you intend to continue working whilst Yes No Studying? Are you the spouse of an EEA or Swiss Migrant Worker? Yes No Are you the child of an EEA Migrant Worker, Swiss national/employed Yes No person or Turkish worker? What is your nationality? 7

8 GUIDANCE NOTES Section 4: About your needs Disabled students, other than those with dyslexia, may wish to apply for a preliminary diagnostic test, prior to applying for a Disabled Students Allowance. A separate arrangement has been made to assist with diagnostic costs for dyslexia, students wishing to take a diagnostic text for Dyslexia, should contact the University s Disability and Dyslexia Service in firstpoint Tel Section 5: About help for Pre September 2012 part time undergraduate students from the Additional fee Support Scheme. Eligible Part time undergraduate students who commenced their studies before September 2012 may be able to get help with the cost of tuition fees through this scheme. For example, those on a particularly low income. Part time students who are end-on or transferring students may also be eligible please speak to an adviser for further information. It is important that you tell us about any support you are already receiving and provide a copy of your decision letter from the Student Finance England, which confirms your entitlement. Part time students commencing their course in or after September 2012, along with all full time Students (Undergraduate and Postgraduate) will not be eligible to apply for help from the Additional Fee Support Scheme and should not complete section 5 of the form; These students can if eligible, apply to Student Finance England for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their fees. Visit for further information and to apply online If you are not eligible for a tuition fee loan and need help with the cost of tuition fees you can get further advice and information from firstpoint: Tel firstpoint@worc.ac.uk. 8

9 Section 4 ABOUT YOUR NEEDS (To be completed by all applicants) Do you have a disability or severe medical condition? Yes No If yes, please give details: Have you applied for Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)? Yes No Do you wish to apply for any financial assistance towards any diagnostic test or special equipment/material not covered by DSA? Yes No (not including students wanting a diagnostic test for dyslexia these students should make an appointment with the Disability and Dyslexia Service who are part of Student Services contact via firstpoint on ) If yes, please give details: Section 5 HELP FROM THE ADDITIONAL FEE SUPPORT SCHEME. Part Time Undergraduate Students Only Only part-time undergraduate students who started their course before September 2012 may apply to the Additional Fee Support scheme for help with the cost of tuition fees. Continue Please tick on what separate statutory sheet support if required. you are receiving and specify the amount Fee grant (paid directly to the University by Student Finance England) Course Grant Help from your employer Important We will need to see your letter from Student Finance England telling you how much fee grant and/or course grant you are entitled to and a copy of the invoice you have received from the University showing your tuition fees for this year How much are your annual fees? 9

10 GUIDANCE NOTES Section 6 About Your Household Income. Please list income details for you and any boyfriend/girlfriend, partner or spouse who shares your home (under partner heading). It is important that you fill in these sections as accurately as possible. Please state weekly or annual amounts for each relevant income source. You do not have to state each source in the same format - you may wish to list some types of income as a yearly figure and others as a weekly figure. If you are living in a shared house your flatmates are not included as part of your household unless they are your boyfriend/girlfriend, partner or spouse. If you live with your parent(s) their income should not be included. Maintenance Loan - Please put in the full amount of loan you are eligible to receive. You will need to supply proof of you and your partners income (see pages of the application form) If your partner is a student you will need to provide details and proof of their student income. UW Bursary - All eligible Pre September 2012 full time undergraduates are awarded a UW bursary of at least 500 per annum. **If you are in receipt of all or part of the maintenance grant from Student Finance England you may be entitled to a higher rate bursary of up to 785. If you think you are entitled to the higher rate but are not receiving it you should take your Student Finance England award letter to firstpoint, so that they can ask the finance office to amend your award if appropriate. Other award/scholarship - If you receive any other award to help with your studies and/or living costs please include it here and state the title and details of the award in the box provided. Please include any other scholarship, Trust Fund award or other award that you are in receipt of. If you are a postgraduate student in receipt of a research grant, scholarship or other grant, please include this funding under this heading. You will need to provide confirmation of this award e.g copy of the award letter. Other Income / Savings - Please include any other income you have and specify what that income is. You must also include details of savings for yourself and your partner. 10

11 Section 6 ABOUT YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME (To be completed by all applicants) Your Household Income Maintenance Loan (Full time students only) Maintenance Grant/Special Support Grant (Full time students only) *Bursary from University (Pre September 2012 Undergraduate students only) Parents Learning Allowance Adult Dependants Grant Childcare Grant Course grant (Pre September 2012 part time undergraduate students only) Fee grant (Pre September 2012 part time undergraduate students only) NHS or Social Work Bursary Postgraduate (PGCE)Teacher Training Bursary Other award/scholarships If an award has been made to meet specific costs, please state (e.g, tuition fee waiver) You Your Partner Weekly Yearly Weekly Yearly *Do not complete this section of incomes if you are in receipt of Universal Credit Professional and Career Development Loan Net earnings Parental/family/friend contribution Child Benefit Child maintenance Carers Allowance *Housing Benefit *Child Tax Credit & Working Tax Credit *Income Support/JSA/ESA (Delete as appropriate) *Universal Credit Council Tax Benefit/ Council tax assistance scheme Disability benefits, please specify: (e.g. PIP, SA,DLA,IB) Other income (investments/savings interest etc.) please specify: Total 11

12 GUIDANCE NOTES Section 7 About Your Household Expenditure Please list requested expenditure for you and any partner whose income you listed on page 11. Please state weekly or annual amounts for each relevant Expenditure. You do not have to state each cost in the same format - you may wish to list some costs as a yearly figure and others as a weekly figure. You must provide evidence for these costs see pages for further information. If you do not provide the necessary evidence then the cost may not be considered when assessing your application. You do not need to give figures for general expenditure such as food and utility bills because the assessors will attribute standard allowances dependent on your household make-up. However, if you think that your general expenditure is exceptionally high due to a specific reason and you wish this to be considered as part of your application then you should give specific figures and an explanation of your exceptional circumstances in the supporting statement in Section 8 (page 15) of the form and provide evidence to support this. If you list a figure under Regular Debt Payments then you must give further details in the Outstanding Debts section at the bottom of the page. If you fail to do this the debt payment will not be taken into account. Outstanding Debts - Please give details of any debts held by you or your partner and tick if they are no longer available as a source of credit i.e. the debts are frozen or in recovery. NB. Bank loans with regular repayment plans are counted as on-going credit unless they have moved into recovery because you have not kept up with the agreed repayments Please state clearly any repayment arrangements in place. You must provide evidence of any debts and regular debt repayments that you wish to be considered. If you do not provide relevant evidence the debt and/or regular debt repayment will not be considered when assessing your application. Please list bank account information for all of your (and your partners) accounts. You will need to provide copies of the last 3 consecutive months bank statements up to a current date, for all of these accounts 12

13 Section 7 ABOUT YOUR EXPENDITURE (To be completed by all applicants) Your household expenditure (include partner s expenditure if they live with you, and costs relating to any children who live with you as their main carer) Weekly Yearly Rent/Mortgage Buildings Insurance (not contents insurance) Council tax Mobile Phone Registered childcare (including after-school care) Unregistered/informal childcare Child maintenance payments Course fees (postgraduate students only) Study costs e.g. books, Specialist equipment etc. Travel/Car running costs Regular debt repayments (please list in more detail below) Medication Disabilty costs not covered by DSA Other Please state (Not general living expenses e.g.utilities,food, clothing etc.) TOTAL Bank/Building Society Details Please supply balance and overdraft facilities for ALL accounts Name of bank/building society Balance Maximum overdraft facility Outstanding Debts Please list any debts that you or your partner have and any repayment arrangments set up with creditors *You must provide proof of any regular debt repayments that you would like considered as part of your application Name of person/company owed (creditor)* Type of debt (utility bill, credit card, rent etc.) Total amount owing Repayment arrangments Please state clearly the amount per week or month (if no repayment arrangment in use, please state) Please tick if you have a fixed repayment plan in place and are no longer using as a source of credit* 13

14 GUIDANCE NOTES Section 7: If you have been refused credit due to a low credit score, previous bankruptcy, IVA etc then please give details here and provide evidence to support this. Dependent students are normally under the age of 25 years. When assessing Grant and loan entitlement for dependent students, Student Finance England calculate household income by using the student s parent(s) income. If you have been subject to this assessment, your award may have been limited due to the level of household income and Student Finance will have assumed that your parent(s) can contribute toward your maintenance (living and study) 6 costs. In exceptional circumstances the assumed parental contribution may be ignored if there has been a sudden and extreme change in circumstances such as an incident which has led to estrangement, sudden unemployment, sudden illness etc. If you think this applies to you please explain and provide documentary evidence to support your claim. Claims will not be considered without evidence. You should also inform Student Finance of your change in circumstances. If you would like further advice please contact firstpoint. Section 8: Your supporting statement The information included in your supporting statement allows us to make a more accurate assessment of your financial situation. You should explain why you are under exceptional financial pressure and outline any particular issues that you think are affecting your finances. You should explain the effect that this financial pressure is having on your studies and explain why. You should provide details of any exceptional or unexpected costs and give actual or estimate figures. You should provide evidence of these exceptional costs. If you prefer you may submit your supporting statement on a separate piece of paper (for example if you wish to type it or if the box provided is not big enough). Please ensure that you attach this to you application form and write your name and student number at the top of the page. 14

15 Section 7 continued: Is there any reason for you being refused credit or overdraft facilities? No Yes give details Please attach evidence e.g. copy of CCJ, Bankruptcy order or similar If you have been assessed as a dependent student and had your award limited due to household income, is there any specific reason why your parent(s) are unable to support you to the extent that the Student Finance assessment has assumed? Section 8 YOUR SUPPORTING STATEMENT (To be completed by all applicants) Please state why you are applying for financial help. Include any exceptional circumstances and the effect your circumstances are having on your studies. Please be specific about costs incurred. Contact firstpoint for further advice on completion of this form if you need it. Continue overleaf if needed. 15

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17 Section 9 YOUR BANK/BUILDING SOCIETY DETAILS Please give details of the bank account into which you would like any monies awarded to you paid. Full name Student Number Name of Bank/Building Society Branch Title (e.g. name of town) Account number Sort code Signature Date Confidentiality Applications are seen only by the ALF assessment staff. It may be necessary for additional supporting information to be sought from other university staff in order for staff to reach a decision and finance office staff are involved in making payments. Data Protection Act 1998 University of Worcester is a data controller in terms of the 1998 legislation. The Student Services Department follows University policy in matters of data protection. The data requested in this form is covered by the notification provided by the University under the Data Protection Act. Personal data will be used solely in the department for statistical purposes and electronic records keeping. The data will not be passed to any other third party without your consent, except when the University is required to do so by law. Any formal enquiries concerning the use of data noted here should be addressed to the Student Services Manager. 17

18 GUIDANCE NOTES The supporting evidence check list is provided to help you to ensure that you provide all the necessary documentation needed in order for us to process your application. DOCUMENTATION NEEDED If you have any questions on which documents you need to provide please contact the Student Welfare and Financial Advisers. Course Funding Student Finance - If your course attracts funding from Student Finance (Normally Undergraduate courses and PGCE students) you will need to provide proof of your award. This must include a copy of your award letter for the current academic year including the financial assessment and payment schedule. If you do not have the original documents sent to you by post then you can print off copies by logging into your Student Finance Account online and clicking on Correspondence to the left of your homepage. Please note we will not accept a print out of your homepage which gives an estimate of your entitlement only. NHS Bursary - If your course attracts NHS funding you will need to provide a copy of your NHS Bursary statement for the current academic year Postgraduate/Self Funding Postgraduate students and other students who are not entitled to funding via Student Finance or the NHS must be able to demonstrate that they have put adequate provisions in place to support themselves and their course costs before they commenced their studies. Evidence might include proof of a Professional Career Development Loan, Trust Fund Award Letters, sponsorship from a third party such as a family member or proof of adequate income from employment. Such incomes must also be listed on page 11 of the application form. For further advice on funding your studies please contact firstpoint Tel: firstpoint@worc.ac.uk. Itemised Bank/Building Society Statements You should supply copies of statements for all of your and your partners (if you have one) bank and building Society accounts. The statement should be itemised and cover 3 consecutive months up to a current date. These statements must be clearly legible and show your/your partners name and bank details. Internet banking statements are acceptable but mini-statements are not. Rent or mortgage If you rent you will need to provide a copy of your signed tenancy agreement showing your name, the property address and the rental amount. If you have a mortgage you will need to provide a copy of your most recent annual mortgage statement. Childcare costs Copies of receipts, invoices. Earnings(including any partners earnings) Last 3 wage slips if employed Most recent tax assessment if self employed. 18

19 GUIDANCE NOTES Welfare Benefits claimed & Tax Credits Please provide evidence of all benefits or tax credits claimed by you and/or a partner (i.e. all pages of most recent Tax credit or Benefit award letters) Sponsorship and bursaries Copies of award letters/written confirmation of the award for the awarding organisation, including details of the purpose of the awards if it has been given to meet a specific cost. e.g. tuition fees, books, travel etc. Evidence relating to any special circumstances noted in your supporting statement e.g. car repair bill, CCJ, final demands, eviction notice etc, proof of specific costs. 19

20 GUIDANCE NOTES Declaration: You must sign the declaration and state whether the University can contact third parties in regard to the evidence you have supplied. Checklist Use the checklist to record the evidence you have supplied 20

21 DECLARATION I confirm that I am a student at the University of Worcester. I understand that giving false information may lead to rejection of my application and steps being taken to recover any payment made to me. I declare that the information that I have given on this form is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge and I have read the guidance notes. I *do/do not (*delete as appropriate) give my full consent for any relevant member of University staff to act on my behalf, and contact any third party regarding the evidence I have provided in this application. Your signature Date SUPPORTING EVIDENCE CHECKLIST Important You must provide photocopies of any relevant paperwork as listed below in order for your application to be considered. Please provide photocopies not original documents. Full time students - Student Loan Notification, Financial Assessment and Payment Schedule (including grants etc., e.g. Parents Learning Allowance) Part time Students (Pre September 2012 starters only) - proof that they have applied to SFE for financial support for fees and a course grant (if eligible) Part time Students applying for help with course fees (Pre September 2012 starters only) a copy of your tuition fees invoice & the final course grant amount awarded to you from Student Finance England Part time students (September 2012 onward starters) - Proof that you have applied for tuition fee loan if eligible. Part time students only proof of your earnings Postgraduate Students Evidence of realistic provision to fund your course. E.g. Professional Career Development Loan, Trust Funds, Scholarships, Sponsorships etc. NHS/Social work students - NHS bursary statement Evidence of partners income (e.g. last 3 pay slips/benefit award letters etc.) Last 3 consecutive months itemised Bank/Building Society statements up to current date for all your households accounts Please return completed form and copies of relevant documents to: Access to Learning Fund firstpoint Peirson Centre University of Worcester Henwick Grove Worcester WR2 6AJ You may visit firstpoint to discuss your finances or receive advice on completion of this form. firstpoint Opening Times Mon, Wed, Thurs and Fri: 9.00am to 5.00pm, Tuesdays only: 10.00am to 5.00pm Tel: firstpoint@worc.ac.uk Evidence of rent/mortgage (tenancy agreement/mortgage statement) Evidence of benefits/tax credits received(including help with childcare where relevant). Please supply all pages of most recent award letters Evidence of main carer responsibility for children -if claiming for child related costs e.g. Tax credit statement, child benefit statement Student ID card Other/Proof of any exceptional expenses stated in your application e.g. childcare not covered by SFE, extra travel costs, medication, emergencies, CCJ s, debt payments etc. Put details in box below. 21