Advanced Learning Loan, 19+ Hardship, Bursary. and. FE Free Meals Eligibility Guidance 15-16

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1 Advanced Learning Loan, 19+ Hardship, Bursary and FE Free Meals Eligibility Guidance LCBT aims to provide all learners with the equal opportunity to succeed and progress in FE Education and may be able to offer assistance through the college s Learner Support Fund. The Learner Support Fund is provided by the Employment Funding Agency (EFA) for 19+ learners, the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) for learners and Student Finance England for 24+ learners and is available to help with the essential costs associated with attending College. The funding is available to support those learners most in need of financial assistance to enable them to engage in education and prevent barriers to learning. Learners with a household income of 21, and below are eligible to apply for financial support to assist with Meals, Childcare, Kit, Materials and Equipment, and more depending on individual circumstances. Learners with a household income of 16,010 and below or subject to an Education and Health Care Plan or Learning and Development Assessment can also apply for FE Free Meals. 1

2 Eligibility Criteria Support Awarded learners 1. In care / leaving care, or 2. In receipt of income support in your own right, or 3. In receipt of ESA & DLA/PIP (Personal Independence Payments) Awarded up to 1,200 (pro rata if course is less than 30 weeks) Meals/Lunch Accommodation* Trips learners Discretionary Bursary based on household income of less that 21,000 Based on individual circumstances Lunch Trips* FE Free Meals based on household income below 16, and in receipt of qualifying benefits. Awarded 4.00 per day Free Meals 19+ Learner Support Fund based on household income of less that 21,000 Based on individual circumstances * Lunch* Trips* 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary Fund *Based on exceptional circumstances Eligible for 24+ Advanced Learning Loan funding Course fees Books, equipment and uniform 30% of overall Childcare costs Meals/Lunch* 2

3 FAQ How to apply; Download Financial Support Fund and/or FE Free Meals application form from College website or collect from Admissions Department or Customer Services Complete appropriate application forms and provide evidence as proof of household income. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. If you are a looked after Child or Care Leaver you can provide a letter from your Social Care representative to evidence your care status as proof of eligibility. Completed application forms can be handed to Welfare Office, Customer Services desk and the Admissions Department Discretionary and Vulnerable Learner Support Payments are made on a monthly basis. FE meals vouchers are issued for each day you attend a full college day. All applications accepted before 15 th of each month will be processed to ensure payment can be made on the last working day of the month (this may be subject to availability of funding) Eligibility of Support will be communicated via post. What evidence do I need to apply for financial support? The evidence you will need to provide will be stated where the following symbol E is shown on the application form. You will need to provide the evidence of income and any benefits received to support your application form. Failure to do so will delay the assessment of your application. All evidence will need to be dated within 3 months of signing and dating the declaration on the application form. What support can I receive Eligible learners with a household income below 21,000 may be able to receive support to assist with meals, stationary, books, equipment and uniform, trips, and travel. The level of support you may receive is subject to availability of funding and is based on individual circumstances and may vary from learner to learner. 3

4 If you require additional support following your initial application you can complete a new application for financial support explaining your change of circumstances. FE Free Meals learners with a household income of below 16, or if you have an Educational Health Care Plan and aged 24 years on 31 st August 2015, you may be entitled to receive FE free Meals Vouchers which will be provided each day you attend college. All learners who would like to apply for FE meals will need to complete the FE Free Meals Application form separately. To ensure you receive your full entitlement, we recommend for FE Free Meals applications to be completed before your course start date as payments cannot be backdated. How will I find out what support I will receive? You will receive a letter or confirming the financial support you have been awarded and when payments are due to be processed. You can appeal if you disagree with the financial support awarded. Details of how to appeal can be found at the bottom of your financial support award letter. If you are in receipt of the vulnerable bursary and your course is less than 30 weeks you will only be paid a pro-rata amount. Payments are only made if your monthly attendance is above 85%. If you miss a payment you can financialsupport@lcbt.co.uk or speak to your tutor. How are payments made? Payments will be made directly to LCBT learners accounts only. Payments cannot be paid into the accounts of family and friends. If you are a learner and do not have a bank account, you will need to open an account in order to receive financial support from the college. If you are a Looked after Child or Care Leaver, you can provide the college with your social worker or key worker contact details to discuss other methods of bursary payments. 4

5 All learners must sign out for FE Free Meals vouchers daily from their tutor. Vouchers are redeemable within local food outlets. Learners are advised to redeem vouchers for a healthy meal option only. Where else can I apply to for financial support? You can apply for a City and Guilds bursary. Applications are considered twice a year - in May and October. For more information go to the following link to apply Funding/Bursaries Who can I talk to for additional advice and information? Speak to the Learning and Development Assistant in the welfare office, financialsupport@lcbt.co.uk or contact the college main line on