NHS Bursary Funding for Healthcare Courses. NASMA Conference Leeds 1 July 2014

Transcription

1 NHS Bursary Funding for Healthcare Courses NASMA Conference Leeds 1 July 2014

2 Part 1 Introduction What is an NHS Bursary? NHS Bursary Overview Eligibility

3 What is an NHS Bursary? An annual payment awarded to assist students with day to day living costs whilst they are studying It also includes the cost of tuition fees. Tuition fees are paid directly from the Local Education and Training Board (LETB) on the student s behalf. For medical and dental students only, NHS Student Bursaries pay the standard course tuition fee directly to their university. The NHS bursary award is not subject to income tax deductions or National Insurance contributions

4 What is an NHS Bursary? (continued) In addition to the standard bursary, all eligible students can apply for additional allowances such as: Extra Weeks Allowance (income assessed) Dependants Allowance (income assessed) Parent Learning Allowance (income assessed) Childcare Allowance (income assessed) Practice Placement Expenses Disabled Students Allowance Payable if the course lasts more than 30 weeks and 3 days in any academic year. For students who have dependent children or adults who are financially dependent on them. Awarded automatically to students who apply for Dependants Allowance. For students who incur childcare costs during term time. Reimbursement for travel and accommodation costs incurred whilst on a practice placement as part of the course. To assist students with a disability to continue with their course.

5 NHS Bursary Overview 1 The means tested bursary is calculated using either the student s or their parent/s income, or that of their spouse, civil partner or partner 2 3 The non means tested grant of 1,000 is payable to all eligible students commencing courses on or after 1 September It is paid on a pro rata basis to part-time students Degree level students who commenced training before 1 September 2012 and all students who started courses on or after 1 September 2012 are entitled to apply for the means - tested bursary

6 NHS Bursary Overview (continued) 4 All students who commenced their course on or after 1 September 2012 are eligible to apply for the means tested bursary AND the non-means-tested grant 5 Students attending DipHE courses which started before 1 September 2012 still receive a non income assessed bursary award. This provides a flat rate basic maintenance grant where no contribution is required from the student s income or that of their family.

7 Eligibility for a NHS Bursary A student is eligible for a NHS Bursary if s/he satisfies all of the following conditions These are that the student: Is a pre-registration student on a NHS-commissioned healthcare professional course who has not previously been registered in that healthcare profession; Satisfies the general immigration and residence requirements set down by the Secretary of State for Health in the NHS Bursary Scheme Is not attending the course on secondment terms Is not held in custody while on or awaiting trial, or serving a prison sentence Is not in receipt of support in excess of the value of an NHS Bursary by reason of sponsorship or assistance from another scheme (other than the Student Loan Scheme or Access to Learning Funds)

8 NHS Bursary Residency Requirements 2014/ In order to qualify for a NHS Bursary, ALL students, regardless of nationality, must meet three main requirements on the first date from which the course runs They must have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man throughout the preceding three years AND Have settled status in the UK (where applicable) AND Be ordinarily resident in any UK country, that is England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland only. (NB: This does not apply to medical students who must be resident in England).

9 Exceptions Refugees Humanitarian Protection Non-UK EU Nationals EEA Migrant Workers EU Fees Only Students...or their spouses / civil partners, children and step children do not have to meet the three year residency requirement and the spouses, civil partners, children or step-children of those granted HP do not have to meet the settled status requirement; are not required to have settled status or their spouse/civil partner, children and step-children, do not have to meet the three year residency requirement in the UK or have settled status (applying for tuition fee support only) are simply required to have been resident in the EEA or Switzerland for the preceding three years.

10 Part 1 Entitlement The Basic Award Package Income assessment Which tax year? Income disregards

11 What sort of basic bursary award can healthcare students receive? 1 A means tested bursary of up to 2,163 to 3,128 per year 2 a 1,000 non-means tested (NMT) grant 3 An Extra Week s Allowance for courses of more than 30 weeks in duration.

12 NHS Bursary Basic Rates 2014/15 Student is living in. 1. Non-Means Tested Grant 2. Income Assessed Bursary London Lodgings 1,000 up to 3,159 per year Lodgings Elsewhere 1,000 up to 2,617 per year Parental Home 1,000 Up to 2,185 per year All rates are pro rata for part time students

13 Extra Weeks Allowance Rates 2014/15 University located: In London* (during term time) Extra Weeks Allowance 107 per additional week over 30 weeks Outside London* (during term time) Student living in: Their Parents Home (all areas) 83 per additional week over 30 weeks Extra Weeks Allowance 55 per additional week over 30 weeks *Means the London Metropolitan area

14 Basic Award: Part Time Rates (based on FT 3 year course) Length of part time study Full Time course 4 years part time 5 years part time 6 years part time Percentage of bursary London Lodgings rate Lodgings Elsewhere rate Parental Home rate 100% % % %

15 Extra Weeks Allowance Part Time Rates Length of part time study: Percentage of bursary London Lodgings rate per additional week Lodgings Elsewhere rate per additional week Parental Home rate per additional week 4 years: 75% of FT rate years: 60% of FT rate years: 50% of FT rate

16 The means-tested bursary whose income? Before incomeassessment takes place, we have to decide whether the student is Independent or Dependent Dependent students are regarded as being financially dependent on their parent(s) the income assessed element of their award is determined by the level of income declared when an application is made. Independent students do not have their income assessed bursary assessed on parental income, but if they are married or in a civil partnership, the award would require the income of the spouse or civil partner. If a spouse, civil partner or parent does not wish to declare their income, the student will not receive the income assessed bursary element but the NMT grant will still be awarded (unless they are a EU Fees Only student).

17 Whose Income? (continued) Student assessed as. Dependent Independent Whose Income will be used? The student s parent or parents (if they choose to disclose their financial information) If the student is married or in civil partnership - their spouse or civil partner; If the student is independent through self-support, estrangement, or their parents are deceased and they are single their own available income for the forthcoming academic (if any). NB: If the student is independent but is co-habiting the partner s income (if any) will be used

18 What is an Independent Student? Category Marital Status: Parent/Guardian: Parental Relationship Status: Self support: On the first day of the academic year the student is/was: Married In a civil partnership Separated Divorced Widowed The student has the care of a dependent person under 18 The student is irreconcilably estranged from both of his/her parents OR Both of the student s parents are deceased The student has supported him or herself financially for an aggregate period of at least 36 months

19 Basic Award the income we use Income (previous full financial/tax year) Salary/wages Taxable allowances Self-employment Land, property or furnished lettings Pensions Bank/Building Society interest Taxable benefits Other unearned income Maintenance (not included as student s income if it is paid to the student for a dependent child legally in the student s care. Will be included as parental or spouse income )

20 Basic award Expenses we can allow Employee pension contributions Personal pension contributions Expenses (previous financial year) Other loan interest (if self-employed) Professional subscriptions/other expenses attracting tax relief Maintenance (included as an expense if paid by the student and intended for dependent children or former spouse or civil partner of the student)

21 Income Assessed Bursary Income Thresholds (2014/15) Threshold and Rate (applies to (parents, spouse, civil partner or partner) Amount (i) Contribution threshold 24,279 (ii) Contribution for each complete 9.50 of residual income, above the contribution threshold (income less expenses and disregards) (iii) Minimum contribution (for residual income of 24,279 or more) (iv) Deduction for each child of the students parent, other than the student OR each child of the student s spouse/civil partner or partner

22 *CASE STUDIES (1 TO 3)* Case Study 1: Basic Award - Dependent Student Case Study 2: Basic Award Independent Student with Civil Partner Case Study 3: Basic Award Independent married student on a part time course

23 Case Study 1 Basic Award: Dependent Student 1 Student A will be studying at a university outside London and living in rented accommodation during term time. 2 His course will last for 38 weeks in the 2014/15 academic year. 3 He has been classed as a dependent student and his parents have chosen to declare their income in order for him to be assessed for the full NHS bursary award. 4 His parents total declared gross income is 34,500 5 Their Allowable Expenses are 2,000 Calculate how much bursary Student A will receive in 2014/15

24 Case Study 2 Basic Award: Independent Student with Civil Partner 1 Student B has a Civil Partner and will be living with her whilst she studies on a NHS funded course at a London university. 2 Student B s course will last for 46 weeks in the 2014/15 academic year 3 Student B and her Civil Partner own their own home in London. 4 The Civil Partner s gross income for the last tax year was 34,500 5 The Civil Partner s Allowable Expenses for the last tax year were 4,500 Calculate how much bursary Student B will receive in 2014/15

25 Case Study 3 Basic Award: Independent married student on part time course 1 Student C is attending a healthcare course on a part time basis. 2 In 2014/15 she will attend for 33 weeks in the academic year. 3 She will complete the course over a five year period. 4 She attends a university outside London and lives in a rented house with her husband. 5 Her husband s gross income was 38,500 in the last tax year 6 His allowable expenses totalled 3000 in the last tax year Calculate how much bursary Student C will receive in 2014/15

26 Section 2 Additional Allowances Income Assessment Disregards Dependents

27 Additional Allowances Calculation Overview 1 In the means testing process for the additional allowances, the Dependants Allowance entitlement is always calculated first. 2 Any remaining excess residual income is then applied on a pound for pound basis to the Parent Learning Allowance and then Childcare Allowance (if applicable) - in that order 3 The next slides show the calculation of the student s entitlement to the additional allowances

28 Dependants Allowance - Key facts 1 Dependants Allowance is subject to full means testing 2 All eligible students with dependents (child or adult) can apply 3 The dependant(s) must be wholly or mainly financially dependent on the student to be included in the assessment

29 Dependants Allowances: 2014/15 Rates Spouse/Civil Partner/Partner or First Child Each subsequent child Up to 2,424 Up to 544 per child

30 Dependants Allowance: Income and Expenses Used Based on actual income and expenses for tax year 6 April 2013 to 5 April 2014 Income Type Salary or Wages Taxable Allowances Income from self employment/company directorship Maintenance (NB: not included as dependents income if paid to the student and intended solely for the upkeep of their child(ren) Pensions Bank or Building Society Interest Taxable social security benefits Income from Land, Property or Furnished lettings Other unearned income Expense Type Income Tax National Insurance contributions Employee pension contributions Personal pension/ retirement annuity payments Life assurance premiums Mortgage payments Rent Maintenance payments (NB: included as an expense if paid by the student to a former spouse or civil partner and/or the student s child(ren)

31 Income: What sort of evidence is acceptable? Type of income Evidence Salary/Wages: P60, P45, March payslip, Employers letter Taxable Allowances: P2(New) P11D Income from selfemployment: Land property, furnished lettings: Pensions: Bank/building society interest: Taxable benefits: Other unearned income: Maintenance received: Accountants letter, tax self assessment form, HMRC income confirmation, Form PSM65 Tenancy agreement, tax self assessment form Official proof of state retirement pension, widows pension, or occupational/private pensions Bank statement Letter or statement from DWP Shares, business profits, dividends Child Support Agency letter or court maintenance order

32 Allowable Expenses what sort of evidence is required? Expense Evidence (tax year 2013/14) Employee Pension contributions Personal (private) Pension Contributions Other loan interest Professional subscriptions/other tax relievable expenses Maintenance payments P60 or letter from employer Must attract tax relief to be included. Evidenced by letter or statement from the pension company or copy of accounts/tax return if self employed. This is for self-employed people only and will be included on any accounts or self-assessment form These must be on a P2 or P11D or letter/statement from employer or copy of accounts or self assessment form as submitted to HMRC a CSA letter or court maintenance order

33 What if a student s dependents don t live with them? Example 1. Student s dependents live overseas 2. Student has equal joint custody of daughter aged 7 with ex-spouse 3. Student s 2 children live with ex-partner and ex-partner s new spouse 4. Student s son age 18 normally lives with her but is currently away at university. Can the student still claim? Yes, but he/she must first demonstrate that the dependents are still wholly or mainly financially dependent upon them rather than another person. As above As above No. Dependents Allowance can only be awarded to deps over 18 if they are in FT further - not higher education.

34 Parent Learning Allowance /15: Key Facts 1 Worth up to 1,192 per academic year 2 Payable to students who have a dependent child or children 3 Paid pro rata for part time students 4 Subject to full means-testing in conjunction with the Dependents Allowance assessment (see next slide)

35 *CASE STUDY 4* Dependants and Parent Learning Allowances (Married student with spouse in full time employment and three dependent children)

36 Case Study 4 Additional Allowances: Dependants Allowance and Parent Learning Allowance 1 Student D has a spouse who is working full time and three dependent children. 2 The student attends a full time NHS funded course and has applied for Dependants Allowance, Parent Learning Allowance and Childcare Allowance. 3 Spouse s gross income was 18,000 in the last tax year 4 His allowable expenses in the same tax year (for Dependants Allowances) totalled 9,691 Calculate how much Dependants and Parent Learning Allowances Student D will be entitled to for the 2014/15 academic year

37 What if the NHS Bursary student s partner is also a fulltime student? Partner is funded by SFE If the partner is receiving publicly funded student support which takes account of the requirements of the dependant, different rates of Dependents allowances are applied. If there are any children, half the age rate(s) for the eldest/only child and half for any subsequent children will be awarded. Dependents Allowance will not be awarded for the partner. Partner is also a NHS-funded student One of the students can choose to receive the full dependents (and any other allowances) for the children. The Dependents Allowance would not include the other NHS-funded partner. Alternatively the students can choose to receive half Dependents Allowance and half PLA each.

38 *CASE STUDIES 5a 5b* 5a Full time NHS bursary student with partner in receipt of SFE funding as a full time student (2 dependent children) 5b Couple who are both NHS bursary students (2 dependent children)

39 Case Study 5a: Dependants and Parent Learning Allowances (Both partners are full time students) 1 Student E is a full-time Nursing student in receipt of a NHS Bursary. 2 Her partner is undertaking a History degree on a full-time basis. 3 He receives funding from Student Finance England, including the Parent Learning Allowance 4 The couple have two children aged 7 and 3. What level of Dependants and Parent Learning Allowances will Student E receive?

40 Case Study 5b: Dependants and Parent Learning Allowances (Both partners are full time NHS students) 1 Student F and Student G are co-habiting. Student F is on a full time Midwifery course and Student G is on a full-time Physiotherapy course. 2 They have two children under 16 3 They wish to claim Dependants and Parent Learning Allowances 4 There are two options: They can both receive DA and PLA at 50% of the maximum rate each OR they can opt that one of them receives the full amount for the children only How much would they be entitled to in each of the 2 options?

41 NHS Bursary Childcare Allowance a brief overview Helps NHS students pay towards registered childcare costs they may incur whilst training. Childcare Allowance 2014/15 Available to students with dependent children aged under 15, (or aged under 17 for children with special educational needs), on the first day of the academic year In 2014/15, Childcare Allowance pays up to 85% of a student s costs to a net maximum of per week for one child and (p/w) for two or more children Students cannot claim Childcare Allowance for free Early Years sessions or if they receive the childcare element of Working Tax Credit

42 *CASE STUDY 6* Calculation of NHS Bursary Childcare Allowance

43 Case Study 6: Childcare Allowance 1 2 After means-testing, Student H is entitled to receive the full Childcare Allowance entitlement for 2014/15. She has three children, two are looked after by a registered child-minder on a full time basis and the eldest attends an after school club 3 to 5 times a week. 3 Her weekly childcare costs for the first four weeks of the academic year are: Week Week Week Week 4-75 Calculate the actual amount of Childcare Allowance Student H would receive over this 4 week period

44 Section 3 Course Changes Prior NHS Study Student withdrawals Students returning to the course after temporary withdrawal Maternity Leave Repeat Study/Extension requests

45 Prior NHS Study Scenario Starting the course again from the beginning (day 1, year 1) Resuming at a comparable point of the original course Previously received full funding for a NHS course and qualified Will an NHS bursary be available? Yes, any previous funding from the withdrawn course will not be taken into account. Yes, but subject to any maximum funding available for that course (including extensions, repeats and any time limits imposed by the relevant professional body). Previous bursary received for that same course will be taken into account. Funding can only be granted if the student has embarked on a completely different healthcare subject. A bursary would not be available to a student who had qualified and was available to register as a child nurse, but wanted to embark on a further pre-registration training course as an adult nurse, but a student who had qualified as a Physiotherapist but wanted to change to Midwifery could get a bursary.

46 Changes to Course Attendance Temporary or permanent withdrawal from training Key Facts Students must inform NHS Student Bursaries as soon as possible if they have to terminate or interrupt their studies before the normal completion date. In the case of certified sickness, students are entitled to up to 60 days absence without their bursary payments being affected. The course administrator should forward a Withdrawal Form (BUR101W) to officially confirm the last date of attendance, and include any periods of certified sickness. On receipt of this, the bursary award will be recalculated based on the actual number of days in attendance in the academic year in question. The student may be required to repay any moneys received that exceed their actual entitlement

47 Changes to course attendance: Returning to Training 1 We cannot reinstate a student s bursary without official notification from the university by way of Resumer Form BUR101R. This can only be sent after the student has returned to the course from a period of absence. 2 Resuming students will need to re-apply for their bursary funding, particularly if they have re-joined the course in a new academic year. 3 Due to this necessary process, some students may experience a delay in receiving their re-instated payments. We ask universities to make students aware of this as far as possible.

48 Changes to course attendance: Returning to Training 1 2 We cannot reinstate a student s bursary without official notification by way of Resumer form BUR101R. This can only be sent after the student has returned to the course from a period of absence. Resuming students will need to re-apply for their bursary funding, particularly if they have rejoined the course in a new academic year. 3 Due to this necessary process, some students may experience a delay in receiving their re-instated payments. We ask universities to make students aware of this as far as possible.

49 Changes to Course Attendance: Bursary Extensions All requests for repeat training or bursary extensions must be approved by the appropriate NHS commissioning body (LETB) before being approaching NHS Student Bursaries. When a student is required to undertake further modules and/or practice placements after the standard course end date, they may still receive further bursary payments Students can also receive further bursary support if they have to repeat a full academic year. Students are only allowed a maximum of a further 12 months additional funding in ALL cases Extensions must be applied for via a BUR102 Change form.

50 Maternity Absence Students taking authorised absence from training for reasons of pregnancy and childbirth, or if they are formally adopting a child or children, can continue to receive their existing NHS bursary payments. If a student becomes pregnant after she has started her course, she should let her tutor know as soon as possible and provide the university with information concerning the baby s estimated date of arrival Payments will include all elements of their NHS bursary award except Practice Placement Expenses, Childcare Allowance, and elements of the Disabled Student Allowance which relate solely to attendance on the course.

51 Maternity Absence If a student has already been granted a place on a preregistration course and she becomes pregnant before the course begins, she should contact the university for advice as to whether it would be better to start her training as planned or to defer until a later date. If a student becomes pregnant after she has started her course, she should let her tutor know as soon as possible and provide the university with information concerning the baby s estimated date of arrival. This is important because the university will need to make provision for the student s antenatal needs prior to her period of maternity leave and to assess the health and safety risks of her undertaking any scheduled placements during that time.

52 Maternity Absence It is for the student and the university to agree when her authorised absence for maternity leave should begin, taking into account her own health and the health of her baby, and the point in the course when it would be best to begin the break The student should normally provide the university with confirmation of the pregnancy before commencing maternity leave (usually the official form MAT B1 available from her GP or midwife after she has been pregnant for 20 weeks). To apply for an award, the university will need to complete and submit a Maternity Withdrawal Form (BUR101W MAT) to NHS Student Bursaries. The form should include an estimated return date to ensure payment of the award during the period of leave. This date may be re-negotiated between the student and the university at a later stage.

53 Maternity Absence A student on maternity leave should also inform the NHS Student Bursaries of the birth of her child, as she may be entitled to apply for additional allowances. The student should also contact the university to confirm when she will be returning to her course. If she fails to do this, the return date as originally given on Maternity Withdrawal Form (BUR101W MAT) will be used and bursary payments will cease on that day Students on maternity leave who wish to extend the period of absence beyond that originally agreed with the university will need to request an extension and specify a reason for it. This will then be submitted to NHS Student Bursaries for approval Students should check whether it is a requirement of their relevant professional body that they complete their training within a set period of time, so that they can take this information into account when arranging, or requesting to extend, a period of maternity leave with their university

54 Any Questions?