Financial Support Guidelines Academic year

Transcription

1 Financial Support Guidelines Academic year These Guidelines are for:- Section A (for students aged on 31 August 2015) Vulnerable Student Bursary Discretionary Bursary Residential Bursary Free meal eligibility Section B (for students aged 19 or over on 31 August 2015) 19 or over Discretionary Bursary 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Childcare (for students 20 years and over) Hardship funding for students studying a higher education course i.e full time, part time, undergraduate, postgraduate Section C Types of documentation/evidence required to support funding application Section D How to apply and eligibility Section E - Payments Section F Appeals Aims:- The College uses bursary funding to provide financial support to students in need to ensure access to their learning. The College targets any support on an individual basis, and the attached guidelines show the usual form this support takes. All funding is allocated by the Government. Students are advised to apply as early as possible as funding cannot be guaranteed. Applications are dependent on all paperwork being fully completed with all the necessary, accompanying documentation. Funding is managed on a first come first served basis. Who is eligible:- Please see guidance notes attached. Eligibility will normally be determined through an incomerelated assessment, together with an assessment of actual need of what support is required. However, the College will also consider applications from any student facing significant financial hardship due to changes in their personal circumstances, and need support to complete his/her course. Further information:- Please contact Student Support at either Crawley on or Haywards Heath on

2 FINANCIAL SUPPORT GUIDANCE NOTES 2015/16 For students aged 16-18, on 31 August 2015, see A. For students aged 19 or over, on 31 August 2015, see B. A. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AGED ON 31 AUGUST 2015 The Bursary Fund has two elements:- 1. A vulnerable student bursary of 1,200 a year for students: in care or a care leaver receiving Income Support/Universal Credit (living away from your parents to qualify) in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance (ESA) & Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment. If you are not eligible for a vulnerable bursary, and need financial help, you can apply for a discretionary bursary award: 2. A discretionary bursary to young people facing genuine financial barriers to staying in education. Awards will be based upon proven hardship need e.g. income related benefits, household income less than 27,000 per year before tax, and access to additional funds i.e. bank accounts/savings. Discretionary awards will help towards costs such as materials, trips, equipment and travel. Materials, Trips and Equipment Costs (full-time under-19 home fee students are not required to pay tuition/exam fees) Maximum payment Covers costs of materials provided by the College and compulsory educational trips. Amount will vary from course to course. All items of uniform/equipment purchased by the fund remain the property of the College. If you withdraw from College all items must be returned, otherwise you will be invoiced for all un-returned items purchased on your behalf. 500 Travel Costs (based on distance travelled to College site) Travel costs will be made to you if there is evidence you face real barriers in your participation at College. The College is unable to fund travel if you have chosen not to attend an institution closer to your home address offering the same provision. Miles from home Amount per day Maximum total (36 weeks) 900 Less than 2 miles* 0 0 Zone 1 (2 5 miles) Zone 2 (6-10 miles) Zone 3 (11 miles +) *If you live under 2 miles away but wish to apply on medical or disability grounds you will need to provide us with a letter from your Doctor. Payments will be made by BACs transfer to your nominated bank account. 1st term payment will be made by October half term, depending on when your funding is authorised. 2nd (after Christmas) and 3rd (after Easter) term awards will be made when attendance/behaviour has been checked. Normally payments will be in your account between 2 3 weeks from the start of term. Attendance under 90% and/or poor behaviour; awards will either be paid in instalments/withheld/cancelled.

3 Free meals for disadvantaged students aged If you/your parents/carers receive any of the following support payment you may be entitled to receive a free meal at College; Income support; income based Jobseekers Allowance; income related Employment and Support Allowance; support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; the guaranteed element of state Pension Credit; Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more 16,190 as assessed by Her Majesty s Revenue and Customs; Working Tax Credit run-on paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit; during the initial roll out of the benefit, Universal Credit. Residential Support Scheme You may be able to get financial help with the cost of term-time accommodation if you are; studying away from home your course must be one of the following:- a) more than 15 miles from your home b) more than a 2 hour return journey your course is not available closer to your home first level 2 or level 3 qualification (equivalent to GCSEs or A Levels) ordinarily resident in England you are not on housing benefit your household income is less than 27,000. You may also be entitled to help with your travel costs between your term time lodgings and College. If eligible for an award, payments will be paid directly to the Landlord each term. No payment can be made directly to you. For more information please contact Student Support on Care to Learn If you are aged under 20 years old when you start your course Care to Learn can help you pay for your childcare costs whilst you study. For more information please visit or contact the Student Bursary Support Service Team on

4 B. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AGED 19 OR OVER ON 31 AUGUST 2015 Discretionary bursary: This fund has been created by the Government to target and focus on those individuals who are financially disadvantaged and would find it difficult to meet the costs associated with studying a further education course such as, transport, equipment essentials and childcare. Awards will be based upon proven hardship need e.g. income related benefits, household income less than 27,000 per year before tax, and access to additional funds i.e. bank accounts/savings. Discretionary funding can help towards the following: Tuition/Exam and Other Fees & Kit/Uniform Costs Maximum payment Covers costs of materials provided by the College and any educational trips. Amount will vary from course to course. All items of uniform/equipment purchased by the fund remain the property of the College. If you withdraw from College all items must be returned, otherwise you will be invoiced for all un-returned items purchased on your behalf. 500 Travel Costs (based on distance travelled to College site) Travel costs will be made where there is evidence you would face real barriers in your participation at College. The College is unable to fund travel if you have chosen not to attend an institution closer to your home address offering the same provision. Miles from home Amount per day Maximum total (36 weeks) 900 Less than 2 miles* 0 0 Zone 1 (2 5 miles) Zone 2 (6-10 miles) Zone 3 (11 miles +) *If you live under 2 miles away but wish to apply on medical or disability grounds you will need to provide us with a letter from your Doctor. Payments will be made by BACs transfer to your nominated bank account. 1st term payment will be made by October half term, depending on when your funding is authorised. 2nd (after Christmas) and 3rd (after Easter) term awards will be made when attendance/behaviour has been checked. Normally payments will be in your account between 2 3 weeks from the start of term. Attendance under 90% and/or poor behaviour; awards will either be paid in instalments/withheld/cancelled. Childcare (20 years and over) Maximum payment Childcare assistance will only be paid for the time you spend in timetabled classes during term time only. The College will only pay Ofsted registered providers. College will not pay your retainer fee. Childcare fees will be paid based on your attendance. Therefore, College will not pay for the days you do not attend i.e. sickness, notified absences. You are responsible for all outstanding payments. College requires a minimum attendance of 90% to continue supporting you with your childcare costs. up to 5,000 per academic year (approx. 138 per week) Paid directly to the childcare provider Childcare funding is not guaranteed until you have had an interview with a member of the Student Support team and your funding application has been approved and authorised. Not all applicants are successful; funding is limited and runs out very quickly.

5 Level 2 Course Funding (does not apply to all Level 2 courses) If you are aged and want to study your first full Level 2 qualification, you may qualify for free tuition, exam and awarding body fees. Who is entitled to this offer? You should: be aged 19-23; be studying your first full Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification. Level 3 Course Funding (does not apply to all Level 3 courses) If you are aged and want to study your first full Level 3 qualification, you may qualify for free tuition, exam and awarding body fees. Who is entitled to this offer? You should: be aged 19-23; be studying your first full Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification. If you are eligible for Level 2 or Level 3 funding you may also apply for a discretionary bursary for help towards other/material fees, travel and childcare. 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary This fund is a scheme to help support individuals who are in receipt of a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan. Funding is available to help with additional costs i.e. materials, books, kit, equipment, travel and childcare. Eligibility for funding; personal income should be less than 27,000 per year before tax. Travel Costs (based on distance travelled to College site) Travel payments will be paid each term by BACs transfer to your nominated bank/building society account. Miles from home Amount per day Maximum total (36 weeks) Less than 2 miles* 0 0 Zone 1 (2 5 miles) Zone 2 (6 10 miles) Zone 3 (11 miles +) *If you live under 2 miles away but wish to apply on medical or disability grounds you will need to provide us with a letter from your Doctor. Maximum payment 900 (travel) 500 (other costs) Childcare Childcare assistance will only be paid for the time you spend in timetabled classes during term time only. The College will only pay Ofsted registered providers. College will not pay your retainer fee. Childcare fees will be paid based on your attendance. Therefore, College will not pay for the days you do not attend i.e. sickness, notified absences. You are responsible for all outstanding payments. College requires a minimum attendance of 90% to continue supporting you with your childcare costs. up to 5,000 per academic year (approx. 138 per week) Paid directly to the childcare provider Childcare funding is not guaranteed until you have had an interview with a member of the Student Support team and your funding application has been approved and authorised. Not all applicants are successful; funding is limited and runs out very quickly. To find out more information regarding the 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Fund please contact a member of the Student Support Team to arrange a time to come in and discuss funding. Crawley campus: Haywards Heath campus:

6 Residential Access Fund The Residential Access Fund provides support to students aged 19 and over who are unable to access their course choice locally (within 15 miles). The fund can assist with accommodation costs up to 3,458 per year. Am I eligible? You must Be 19 years or over on 31 August Have been settled in the UK and ordinarily resident in England for the three years preceding the start of your course. Have been offered a place on a full-time programme and enrolling on your first full Level 2 or 3 qualifications. Be living outside a reasonable travel distance from a learning provider (15 miles). Have a household income of less than 27,000 before tax. Hardship funding (replaces Access to Learning fund) HE Courses only Funding is extremely limited. Funding is available to help students who need extra financial support because they have higher than expected costs. The fund cannot help with tuition costs. Am I eligible? You must Be in receipt of your full entitlement of student funding from Student Loan Company. Have been settled in the UK and ordinarily resident in England for the three years preceding the start of your course. Studying a higher education course that is full time, part time, undergraduate, postgraduate. Priority groups for this funding are:- Students with children especially single parents. Mature students especially those with existing financial commitments. Students from low income families. Disabled students. Care leavers. Students who are homeless or who are living in Foyers. Final year students. For more information/application form please contact Student Support.

7 C TYPES OF DOCUMENTATION NEEDED TO SUPPORT YOUR FUNDING APPLICATION Students aged Vulnerable Student Bursary Income Support/Universal Credit payment in student s own name (must be living independently) Employment Support Allowance & Disability Allowance/Personal Independence Payment in student s own name Letter confirming Care/Care Leaver status from Social Services or Support Worker Evidence of household income (parents/carers) Income Support/Universal Credit Jobseekers Allowance Employment Support Allowance/Universal Credit Discretionary Bursary Tax Credit Award April 2015 March 2016 (all pages) 3 current bank statements for all accounts for you/parent/carer(s) including information on savings accounts (savings over 3,000 will be assessed as income) AND either P60 for current year/or 3 current pay slips/pension credit Redundancy letter Accountants letter confirming income during 2013/14 tax year or copy of Self-Assessment report. Evidence of budget plan through a debt advice charity i.e. Citizen Advice Bureaux or Step Change Free meal eligibility Evidence that you/parent(s)/carer(s) are in receipt of: Income Support/Universal Credit Jobseekers Allowance (income based) Employment Support Allowance/Universal Credit (income related) Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 The Guaranteed element of state Pension Credit Child Tax Credit (provided not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than 16,190) Working Tax Credit run-on

8 Students aged 19 and over 19 or over Discretionary Bursary Evidence of household income Income Support/Universal Credit Jobseekers Allowance Employment Support Allowance/Universal Credit Tax Credit Award April 2015 March 2016 (all pages) If not in receipt of any of the above you will need to provide evidence for you and your partner and/or parent/carer(s). Below are the types of evidence you will need to provide. 3 current bank statements for all accounts for you/parent/carer(s) including information on savings accounts (savings over 3,000 will be assessed as income) AND either P60 for current year/or 3 current pay slips/pension credit Redundancy letter Accountants letter confirming income during 2013/14 tax year or copy of Self-Assessment report. Evidence of budget plan through a debt advice charity i.e. Citizen Advice Bureau or Step Change Evidence of LDA or EHC Plan (free meal eligibility) 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary together with:- 24+ Advanced Learning Loan eligibility proof See above (19 or over Discretionary Bursary) for evidence of personal income required Applying for Childcare? (20 years and over)* See above (19 or over Discretionary Bursary) for evidence of household income required 24+ Adv d Learning Loan eligibility proof if applicable Ofsted Registration certificate of childcare provider Form completed/signed by childcare provider (part of childcare application form) See above (19 or over Discretionary Bursary) for 19 or over evidence of household income required Residential Access Fund Tenancy Agreement** HE Hardship Fund (replaces ALF) HE courses only Please contact Student Support for more information

9 Please note:- Letters provided as evidence must be dated within 3 months for your funding application to be processed. If letters are more than 3 months old please also submit a current bank statement showing the benefit payment going into your account. Students aged 19 or over, who live with parent(s)/carer(s) but are financially supporting themselves; will need to provide clear evidence showing this, together with a letter from parent(s)/carer(s) also confirming they do not support their son/daughter. Students who are in receipt of a benefit must advise the benefits agencies of any discretionary learner support provided. *If you are under 20 years old on the day your course starts and require childcare funding please visit or telephone:- Student Bursary Support Service Team on ** The Tenancy Agreement which has been agreed and signed, needs to show the following: dates of tenancy term time address landlord s name, address and signature (landlord cannot be a family member) cost of the rent

10 D How to apply for financial support and eligibility Guidance notes, application form and banking details declaration form are available on the Central Sussex College website; or by contacting Student Support on (Crawley) or (Haywards Heath) The College will accept applications from Friday 22 May The closing date for applications is Wednesday 30 September However, applications will be accepted after this date, but there is no guarantee that funding will still be available. Funding may not cover all your costs If enrolling at Crawley, East Grinstead or Horsham campus:- Complete a financial support application and banking details declaration form, send together with photocopies of all relevant evidence documentation to the: - Student Support Administrator, Student Support, Central Sussex College, College Road, Crawley RH10 1NR or hand in to Student Support at Crawley. If you have any queries, please telephone You are likely to be required to attend an interview with a member of the Student Support Team to process your application. Interviews will be held over the summer period and you will be contacted to arrange an appointment. However, if you hand in your forms to Student Support, an interview can be arranged for you at this time. If enrolling at the Haywards Heath campus:- Complete a financial support application and banking details declaration form, send together with photocopies of all relevant evidence documentation to the:- Student Support Team Leader, Central Sussex College, Harlands Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1LT or handed into Student Support at Haywards Heath. If you have any queries, please telephone Please note applications can only be processed when you provide confirmation of your enrolment status i.e. initial guidance form signed by a member of the Curriculum Team. To apply for financial support you need to satisfy any of the following:- be a UK national i.e. you were born in the UK; have UK citizenship or a UK passport; have indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or have refugee status; be from a European Union or European Economic Area country and satisfy the Home Learner criteria (see for more information); be ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning. You will not receive funding if you:- have outstanding debts to the College; are on a waged apprenticeship; (if there is genuine hardship, which could be an obstacle to complete and achieve the Apprenticeship i.e. in the case of redundancy, support may be available, please contact a member of the Student Support Team); are on an Adult and Community Learning course; are enrolling on a full cost course i.e. not Government funded/the course has no fee remission; are an international student. Please be aware funding is:- allocated on personal circumstance/financial hardship on a first come basis; allocated per academic year; due to the time required to process travel payments (especially in September) it is your responsibility to fund travel costs up until the time you receive funding. funding may not cover all your costs. Important note: Students who are in receipt of a benefit must advise the benefits agencies of any discretionary learner support provided. If false or incomplete information is submitted, or if you do not tell us about any part of your income that is relevant, the matter may be referred to the Department of Education or the police. * The application form will ask for detailed personal information. All data we request from you will be kept according to the relevant data protection legislation. Further information can be found on our website or in the College Prospectus. When data is provided to us, we use it solely for the purpose for which it was provided. We recognise the information is valuable and we take all reasonable measures to protect it whilst in our care.

11 E Payments (travel payments take time to process and money will not be in your bank accounts the first week of term) Students are required to have their own bank accounts (not parent/carer). Only in exceptional circumstances can the College make payments to a person other than the student. All payments will be paid by BACs transfer. Payments cannot be made by cash or cheque. Payments are only released after your attendance and behaviour has been checked. Normally, payments are released into bank accounts from the second week of each new term i.e. after Christmas and Easter. Please be fully aware September payments take longer to process. It is your responsibility to fund travel costs up until the time you receive funding. If there are any concerns regarding attendance and/or behaviour; payments may be paid in instalments/withheld/cancelled. You will not receive travel payments if you are in receipt of funding from your local council. F - Appeals You have the right to appeal if you: believe your application has been assessed incorrectly; are not happy with the level of support allocated to you; your application is unsuccessful. Appeals should be made in writing clearly stating the reason you are appealing against your funding decision to:- Director of Student Support Central Sussex College College Road Crawley RH10 1NR If you are unhappy with the outcome of your appeal the College complaints procedure must be followed. Details of the customer complaint procedure can be found on our website; Disclaimer - All the above information is correct at the time of going to print and maybe subject to change.