16-18 College Support Scheme 2014/15

Transcription

1 16-18 College Support Scheme 2014/15 For travel, course equipment, free college meals and information about childcare. Check your eligibility by following the flow chart on the back of this book. Please return your completed application to the address below as soon as possible, as funds will be allocated in the order the forms are received. Return your form to : Student Services, FREEPOST AL830, Aylesbury College, Oxford Road Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 8PD Telephone: studentservices@aylesbury.ac.uk If you require any assistance with completing your application for financial support contact Student Services Contents Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Pages 4-7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Back Page How to fill out the Application Form Possible Funding Support Available CARE TO LEARN: Government Assisted Childcare for students under 20 Years Old Application Form Key Points Frequently Asked Questions Useful Contacts CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

2 Student Services: or Welcome to Aylesbury College Support Scheme Years Old 2014/15 You may be eligible for help with your travel, course equipment and free College meals. Check your eligibility by following the flow chart on the back of this book. If there is any information on this form which you are not sure about, or if you would like some additional help completing the form, then please contact: Student Services or How to fill out your application form: Section 1: Section 2: Section 3: Section 4: General information about you (the student) Information about your course Student Bank Details - This will help us pay any funds directly to the student Your household income NOTE: If you claim Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit then you must supply your Award Notice (All 6 pages dated 2014 MUST be included) for the relevant benefit If you are on benefits or are working we will need proof of the total household income. All documentation should show your present address Benefits Please supply the following evidence for all adults receiving benefits: Your award entitlement letter /Benefit book from the benefit authority dated within three months of application date. (Bank statements may be requested if there is a query) Working Please supply the following evidence for all working adults Three recent consecutive bank statements showing wage payments and your P60 from April 2014 If you are self employed: We need to see an Accountants Letter stating projected earnings for 2013/2014 or a photocopy of the relevant pages of your Self Assessment Tax Return Section 5: Section 6: Section 7: Travel Fill this section to let us know if you need a travel pass or funds towards travel Further Information Tell us any further information about your circumstances that may help us assess your situation The Declaration The student needs to read, tick and sign this section so that we can process this application 1

3 Student Services: , or Travel Travel General information Students must live over three miles from Aylesbury College and meet specific criteria to qualify for travel cost help Travel tickets will be for the cheapest form of transport, this will either be a bus or train pass Please check bus time tables for the most appropriate bus company For example: Students living in Berryfields may prefer Redline to Arriva If a student requests to travel by car, motorbike or scooter the equivalent funds for the cheapest form of transport will be deposited termly in the student s bank account and it will be the student s responsibility to budget accordingly Photographs must be a recent clear photograph of the student. Bus and Train Conductors may check your College ID to confirm you are the correct pass owner If you lose your pass there may be a charge Reimbursement of travel fare spent prior to the collection of a bus or train pass is not guaranteed NOTE: We encourage students to use public transport for environmental reasons Bus Passes Please collect your new bus passes at the end of each term from Student Services with a recent photograph. Bus passes may not be used during holidays Train Passes Train passes should be collected at the end of each half term REMEMEBER: In a specified area of Wycombe, train passes can be used on specific Arriva buses. Please ask Student Services for an area map when you collect your train pass. Outside this area students must buy a bus ticket Changing Your Mode of Transport through the year Please write a short letter explaining why you wish to change and from when. There maybe a reason that you cannot change mid-term or half-term but we will do our best to help Car Parking Permits are NOT covered by The College Support Scheme NOTE: We do not normally send bus or train passes to students. They must be collected in person. Meals Free College meals for year old students from September Only in exceptional circumstances will 19+ students be considered for free college meals. As part of a plan to introduce universal free college meals, FE colleges will be required by law to offer free meals to qualifying young people aged 16 to 18 from September Free meals are targeted at disadvantaged students and will be given to learners who receive, or whose parents receive certain types of income based benefit. Please check our website for more detailed criteria. NOTE: For more information on how these will be implemented see The Aylesbury College Website: 2

4 CARE TO LEARN: Government Assisted Childcare for students under 20 Years Old The aim of Care to Learn is to give financial support to teenage mothers and fathers who want to continue their education or training, need help with the cost of their childcare and travel expenses and are under 20 at the start of their course. You can claim Care to Learn funding if you are under 20 and: NOTE: All of the following must apply You are a parent under 20 at the start of your course You are the main carer for your child You live in England You are either a British citizen or a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) Your course qualifies Your childcare provider is registered with Ofsted You are NOT eligible if: 1. You are an Apprentice who gets a salary 2. You are a student doing a Higher Education Course at University If your child needs specialist childcare, the provider must also be on the Care Quality Commission s register for specialist provision. If you want a relative to get Care to Learn for looking after your child they need to be both: Providing registered childcare for children they are not related to Living apart from you and your child NOTE: Time Table Changes: Additional Childcare Provision is available where courses have additional units added later in the academic year, such as work experience, GCSEs and Functional Skills. Students are responsible for contacting Student Services and Care to Learn to inform them of such changes. Care to Learn will only backdate Childcare costs for one month from the date they receive a change of circumstances application form. Applications can be made now for courses that start in September You can also get information and guidance in completing the forms for Care to Learn from a Connexions Personal Advisor. For more information and to apply for Care to Learn funding you can visit the Care to Learn website at Learner Support helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm): Telephone: Text phone: c2l@efalearnersupport.co.uk 3

5 (Office Use Only) DATE RECEIVED: Time: Staff Initials Receipt sent Student Services: , or College Support Scheme Application form Section 1 About you Please complete in block capitals in black ink Surname First Name Student ID Number Address (Office Use Only) Check distance from College Post code: Mobile number Home number Date of Birth Male or Female Age (as of 31 st August 2014) What is your status in the UK? British/EU Citizen Refugee Asylum Seeker Other Have you lived continuously in the UK for the last 3 years? Yes Go to Section 2 No Go to A A: If No, what was your previous country Section 2 About you About your course Course name 2014/2015 Level Tutor (If known) Full-time Part-time Have you studied at Aylesbury College before? Yes No (Office Use Only) Check system for previous history Previous course name, level and year Check system for previous funding Have you received financial assistance from Aylesbury College before? Yes No If yes, which year? NOTE: If you attend more than one course you can only apply for assistance for your primary course. 4

6 Section 3 About you student bank account details NOTE: If your application is approved, any payments you receive will be paid directly into your bank account. Account Holder s Name: This should be your name as it is written on your account eg: Miss Dee Meanor Account Holder s Name: Sort Code: Account Number: Section 4 - About Your Household Income Discretionary Bursary Question 1: Tell us about the parent/s/guardian/s who live in your house. Adult 1: Name Adult 1 (Please circle): Works FT / PT Claims benefits Both Adult 1: Name Adult 1 (Please circle): Works FT / PT Claims benefits Both Question 2: Are either of your Parent/s or Guardian/s in receipt of any benefits? No go to Q3 Yes, Circle the benefits your parents/guardians claim below: Child Tax Credit Working Tax Credit Housing benefit Universal Credits Pension Credits Income Support Job Seekers Allowance (income based) National Insurance Credits Employment Support Allowance (income related) Other Benefits (please specify) Evidence: Please supply for all adults receiving benefits: 1. If you have stated you claim Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit then you must supply your Award Notice (All 6 pages MUST be included) for the relevant benefit 2. Your benefit award entitlement letters /Benefit books from the benefit authority dated within three months of application date. (Bank statements maybe be requested if there is a query) NOTE: If you are unable to supply evidence please call: or studentservices@ayelsbury.ac.uk Question 3: Do either of your Parent/s or Guardian/s work full-time or part-time? No, please go to Section 4 Yes, Please supply the evidence below Evidence: Please supply for all working adults 1. Three recent consecutive wage slips, from your present address AND three recent consecutive bank statements from your present address, showing wage payments If you are self employed: We need to see an Accountants Letter stating projected earnings for 2013/2014 or a photocopy of your Self Assessment Tax Return. (Bank statements maybe be requested if there is a query) NOTE: If you are unable to supply evidence please call: or studentservices@ayelsbury.ac.uk Photocopies of evidence: It is advisable to make copies of all your evidence yourself to speed up the application process. However, if this is not possible, we will make copies for you. Please be aware due to the volume of applicants there may be a wait. 5

7 Section 5 About you How will you travel to College? Travel: How are you going to get to College? Bus Train Car Other Bus number/s Departure Station Reg Number Reg Number Bus company Arriva Redline Other: NOTE: Please note we encourage environmentally friendly transport. read Page 2 for more travel information. Section 6 About your situation (This section MUST be filled in.) (Mandatory) Please state any additional information we may need to know to help your application. Student Services will assess your total family income and will automatically calculate your entitlement to course costs such as; equipment, uniform, travel, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (previously CRB) etc. Section 7 Please read and tick the declaration below carefully before signing. Tick þ Aylesbury College reserves the right to withdraw support due to misbehaviour, fraud, or if the reputation of the College is bought into disrepute. Attendance will be monitored and must be above 85%. Should your attendance fall below this level or if you withdraw, financial support may be stopped and you may be asked to pay back any financial support received. It is your responsibility to notify us of any changes to your timetable. Any changes in awards will only be made backdated to the beginning of the week in which information was received. Any items purchased through Aylesbury College remain the property of Aylesbury College and you may be asked to return them at the end of your course. I understand that if my application for financial assistance is unsuccessful, I will be liable for all outstanding costs. If I withdraw from my course, or I am withdrawn from my course by my tutor, suspended or excluded from Aylesbury College I undertake to return any equipment or money provided through the Bursary Fund. If your application is unsuccessful and you would like us to pass your form and evidence to Aylesbury College Trust for further assessment for financial help, please tick here. I certify that the information I have given on this form is complete and accurate. I agree to repay the College in full any money paid to me if the information I have given is shown to be false or misleading. Student s Full Name Student s Signature 6

8 ASSESSMENT - Office Use Only Adult 1 total income: Income IBB / No Income Adult 2 total income: < 16,190 16,190-20,816 Joint income total: 20,817-25,521 25,522-30,810 Course and level: 30,811> 30,811< Date sent to ACT Support 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 40% 0% Travel cost CHECK ATTENDANCE 100% Train: Half termly 100% Bus: Termly 100% Car Motorbike Other (BACs Termly) Financial assistance: Check course and entitlement. Course Trips (ACC) Etc AAT Registration Studio fees Kit (For Hair dressing, beauty, make-up, barbering and nail courses only) DBS Check Lunches* Uniform/protective clothing Books Income below Calculation notes: 1. ACCs DBS Studio Fees AAT Kit Uniform Books Travel 1 Travel 2 Travel 3 TOTAL % x Total = BACs 1 BACs 2 BACs 3 INT Bus Pass Train Pass Cash Notes: Ineligible Application: Action taken: CSS ADMINISTRATOR CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER (< 5,000) DIRECTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ( 5,000>) 7

9 The funding available to the college is to help you with the cost of studying and comes from a government body called The Education Funding Agency (EFA) and is public money. The assistance you may receive is a discretionary award. It will always be conditional on your attendance and behaviour at college. Whilst we recognise that students face financial pressures, the funding you are applying for is not a right and the College has a duty to make sure the funds are awarded fairly and to the students most in need. When you hand in your application: Successful Applications Unsuccessful Applications Aylesbury College Support Scheme (16 18): Key Points You must supply all evidence with your application. Your application will not be assessed without it When you hand in your application you will be given a dated receipt Within 15 working days of receiving your completed application with all supporting evidence we will contact you to inform you of the outcome Please do not contact us until three weeks after the date on the receipt to give us sufficient time to process your application If you are successful we will provide you with written confirmation. Funds will not be transferred until after enrolment Awards to support you with your equipment costs will be made at the beginning of your first term; however with some courses additional payments will be at the beginning of Terms 2 and 3. We will endeavour to make payments for equipment before the start of your course. You may need to purchase items before we can make a payment Travel awards and other entitlements will usually be made half-termly by BACS. A BACS payment is an electronic method of transferring money directly from the College to your bank account. To set up a payment we will need to obtain your bank details. A BACS payment will usually take five working days to clear Bus or Train Passes No guarantee can be given that you will be successful in your application for financial assistance If you are unsuccessful in your application you will also be notified in writing. An unsuccessful application means you will be responsible for all of the costs associated with your chosen course You will then have to decide whether or not you are able to enrol on your course without financial support from the College An explanation of how to appeal is on page 9 of this book. Aylesbury College Trust (ACT) Aylesbury College Trust is a registered charity and may be able to offer help to students in need of financial assistance Where an application for the College Support Scheme is unsuccessful but the assessor feels that the application may benefit by being passed to Aylesbury College Trust then Student Services will contact the applicant to discuss this option. If the applicant agrees then their application form and copies of all evidence supplied will be passed on to ACT 8

10 Aylesbury College Support Scheme (16 18): Frequently Asked Questions Attendance What if I miss a class, will my support stop? Your attendance will be monitored and if your attendance falls below 85% it may lead to your financial support stopping. Don t worry if you have one or two days absence due to illness, but you must follow the College s absence procedure which can be found in the Student Handbook and on Cloud. However, if you are absent regularly your financial support may be stopped. Withdrawals What happens if I change my course? Please speak to the Student Services Team immediately and they will be able to assess if you are still eligible for financial support. Appeals What happens if I leave College? If you withdraw from your course your financial support will be stopped and you will be asked to return your bus or train pass and any equipment that has been given to you. When can I appeal? If you are not happy with the level of financial support you are allocated. If you feel your application has not been processed correctly. If your application has been refused or is unsuccessful. If your financial support has been stopped due to poor attendance. How do I appeal? Please put in writing your reasons for appeal and send to studentservices@aylesbury.ac.uk or via post to Student Services, FREEPOST AL830, Aylesbury College, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 8PD. Please mark all correspondence clearly for the attention of the Customer Service Manager. Who is on the Appeals Team? The appeals team meet regularly to assess all appeals and will endeavour to respond to your appeal within 5 working days. The team is made up of a representative from Student Services, a representative from Finance, a Director and the Customer Service Manager. If you are not happy with the outcome of your appeal please let us know and the appeal will be referred to a member of the Senior Executive Team. NOTE: If your application was unsuccessful we may pass your information onto Aylesbury College Trust. See page 8 Data Protection Act 1998: The information that you give on this form will be used for the purpose of processing your application for the Aylesbury College Bursary Fund. The College is under a duty to protect the public funds they handle and may use the information you have provided to prevent and detect fraud. It may also share this information, for the same purposes, with other organisations which handle public funds. Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is correct as far as can be ascertained at the time of publication, but the College reserves the right to alter details, without notice, as notified by the various funding bodies. 9

11 Useful Contacts Student Services Ground floor, Aylesbury College If you require help/have any further questions, please contact: Telephone: , or Admissions Ground floor, Aylesbury College Telephone: Additional Learning Support 1st floor, Aylesbury College Telephone: Head of Learning Support: Sarah Tibble Aylesbury College Trust Telephone: Website: Early Education Funding (EEF) Buckinghamshire Children and Young People's Partnership Telephone: Website: Care to Learn Helpline: Website: HM Revenue Customs Tax Credit Enquiries Helpline: Website: 10

12 Student Services: , or Are you Eligible for Financial Support? Are you aged between 16 and 18 on the 31 st August 2014 and enrolling on a full or part-time course in Aylesbury College? Yes No Contact Student Services (See above) Are you a home student i.e. a permanent UK/EEA resident? Yes No Contact Student Services (See above) Which type of Bursary should you apply for? If you are: Living in care A care leaver Claiming Income Support or Universal Credit in your own right A disabled young person in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Allowance or Personal Independence Payments. If your parent(s) or guardian(s) are Employed with a total household income below 30,810 Are your parent(s) or guardian(s) in receipt of any of the following benefits Job Seekers Allowance Employment & Support Allowance (income related) Child Tax Credit National Insurance Credit Income support Universal Credit Pension Credit (minimum guarantee) Working Tax Credit Guaranteed Bursary The Guaranteed Bursary may be available to assist with the costs of travel, meals, books and other associated course costs. Please ask Student Services for the Guaranteed Bursary Application Form *In some cases the student maybe over 18 and below 20 if they are considered vulnerable Discretionary Bursary The Discretionary Bursary may be available to assist with the costs of travel, meals, books and other associated course costs. Complete the application form inside this booklet and return it to Student Services. NOTE: If your application was unsuccessful we may pass your information onto Aylesbury College Trust. See page 8 You will not receive funding if: You have outstanding debts to the College You have previously (within the past 3 years) received financial assistance for a course unrelated to your planned course