Contents. 2. Policy Changes Applicable from September 2012

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1 Issue 3 1. Implementation of Bursary Online Support System (BOSS) In October 2011 the new Bursary Online Support System (BOSS) went live for students starting in January BOSS allows students to make applications and manage their NHS Student Bursary account online. On 23rd February 2012 we had successfully processed 2,500 applications and we look forward to rolling out the BOSS system to all students over the next twelve months. Contents 1. Implementation of Bursary Online Support System (BOSS) 2. Policy Changes Applicable from September Students starting or continuing courses from January BUR 99 forms for Autumn 2012 intake courses 5. Students Charter 6. Student Applications Initial Applications and Submission of Evidence 7. Sending in invoices to pay for Tuition Fees 8. Maternity Absence /13 Term Dates 10. Facebook Page 11. Disabled Student Allowance 12. Meet the Team - Contact Centre Team 13. HEI Helpline 14. Contact details for NHS Student Bursaries 2. Policy Changes Applicable from September 2012 From 1 September 2012 all eligible new students will have access to the same package of financial support irrespective of their course (e.g. Degree or DipHE). The new NHS Bursary scheme package of support will provide new students with a small non-means tested grant, a means tested bursary and a reduced rate non-means-tested loan. The loan will be provided by Student Finance England. New students (starting from 1 September 2012) will ONLY be reimbursed the difference between the cost of their travel to their placement and their normal daily travel to university, not the full cost; The travel disregard is no longer applicable; As with the current scheme, different rates of means tested bursary and loan will apply according to where a student lives and studies, whether in London, outside of London, or with their parents. This means that a healthcare student on an eligible course of 45 weeks in duration and studying outside London could receive a non-means tested grant of 1,000, a means tested bursary of up to 4,395 and a non-means tested loan of up to 2,324. It is important to note that these changes will apply only to new students who begin their training on or after 1 September Students who commenced training prior to this date will receive their bursary support under existing arrangements. 1

2 3. Students starting or continuing courses from January 2012 We are inviting all NHS-commissioned students commencing courses to apply on-line via our new Bursary Online Support System (BOSS). The previous hard-copy paper application system will not apply to these students. Students should go to: and click on: How Can I Apply > Information Page > My Application: Bursary Online Support System and follow the instructions on-screen to register and submit an application. Higher Education Institutions (HEI s) should be aware that students must submit all requested documentation to Bridge House, Newcastle (where it is scanned) and not to the NHS Bursaries office in Fleetwood. 4. BUR 99 forms for Autumn 2012 intake courses Despite the big changes to the NHS Bursary application process and the new arrangements for 2012 starters, the procedure for HEI s to inform NHS Student Bursaries of the offer of NHScommissioned places to new students will remain the same i.e. via electronic submission of a BUR99 spreadsheet for each individual course. We will be asking HEI s to submit BUR99 forms as soon as possible and no later than end of May This will allow us to contact individual applicants and provide them with instructions on making an online application in good time. 5. Students Charter NHS Student Bursaries is working with the Department of Health and NHS North West to provide a charter which clearly sets out to students how our services are delivered and the role that they must play to help us deliver a smooth and efficient service for them. The Students Charter will be shortly be included in all letters sent to students inviting them to apply for a Bursary and it will be prominently highlighted on the NHS Student Bursaries website. We welcome any comments from HEIs on the Charter to feed into future updates of it. 6. Student Applications Initial Applications and Submission of Evidence It is important that HEIs remind students that, in submitting an application for a bursary, they include the correct documentary evidence. This applies to all students, both existing and new, irrespective of whether they are re-applying or applying for the first time. When applying for an NHS bursary for the first time, all students need to provide two pieces of evidence to confirm their identity. This would consist of a birth certificate and photographic ID, such as a valid passport or driving licence. Applicants who do not have photographic ID will be asked to provide alternative documentary evidence. Applications submitted without a birth certificate (UK born students) or photographic ID will not be processed, which will lead to a delay in the student receiving any payments that may be due to them. 2

3 7. Sending in invoices to pay for Tuition Fees HEIs are reminded that we can only pay tuition fee invoices for medical students who have successfully applied for a bursary for the 2011/12 academic year, within the prescribed application period. The application period is normally 6 months from the start of the academic year, which for 2011/12 means that the deadline for receipt of applications in Student Bursaries for students who commenced their 2011/12 academic year in the Autumn Term is at the end of February Unless there are exceptional circumstances, any student who applies after 6 months have elapsed will have their application rejected and be ineligible for NHS funding, including their tuition fee liability. With the end of the financial year fast approaching, we would also find it very helpful if any outstanding invoices could be sent to our finance team as soon as possible. Invoices received for students who are not eligible and/or have not made an application will be rejected. Invoices should be sent to: Student Bursaries NHS Business Services Authority Corporate Finance Bridge House 152 Pilgrim House Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6SN Please encourage eligible students to make an application for NHS Bursary and invoice us for tuition fees once this has been done. Failure to do this may result in a delay of payment for tuition fee invoices. Many students do not apply for a bursary because they will not receive a maintenance grant but should make an application to enable their tuition fees to be paid to the HEI by NHS Student Bursaries. 8. Maternity Absence From September 2011, the Department of Health made changes to the current NHS Bursary Scheme provisions regarding Maternity absence. Previously, students were entitled to continuous bursary payments for a maximum period of 45 weeks, which could be extended to 52 weeks in very exceptional circumstances. The changes made now ensure that all students taking a period of authorised maternity absence from their course are entitled to up to 52 weeks automatically. HEI administrators should be aware that this period cannot be extended further. Students are entitled to one period of maternity absence (up to 52 weeks) for a single pregnancy, irrespective of how many children are born. The maternity award includes all elements of the student s current NHS Bursary entitlement, (which will continue to be paid throughout the period of authorised absence), except: Practice Placement Expenses Childcare Allowance Elements of the Disabled Students Allowance which relate solely to course attendance /13 Term Dates To enable NHS Student Bursaries to calculate the level of bursary payable to students on courses that include an income assessed award, there is a need to know the number of days that the student will be in training in the academic year. Please complete form BUR100 for each of your health professional courses and return to us no later than the end of April Until the term date information is received processing cannot begin regarding the bursary applications that have been submitted. Therefore if the information is not received by the above date, the individual on-line applications will not be finalised and students may not receive their bursary payments on time for the start of the course. 3

4 10. Facebook Page Facebook is our first step into the world of social media. It enables staff and managers to connect with students on a more personal level and also gives students a more familiar way to ask questions regarding their bursary. The feedback received from users about the site has been extremely positive. Would just like to place a positive post and thank you all for the fabulous service you have provided Very efficient and dedicated staff :-D Anna Edmunds, student. The Facebook site is maintained by the Student Bursaries Contact Centre Team who dedicate their time to answer queries and everyday concerns from students and universities. So don t delay - sign up today! 11. Disabled Student Allowance NHS Student Bursaries currently pay Disabled Student Allowance ( DSA) payments direct to suppliers by BACS, which has proved to be the best way to make these payments. To continue to make improvements to this payment method can all HEIs please ensure that when submitting invoices that a relevant timesheet is attached (where applicable) and the students NHS Student Bursaries reference number is stated. 12. Meet the Team - Contact Centre Team In this issue meet the Student Bursaries Contact Centre Team! The team is based in Newcastle and they handle all Student Bursaries telephone calls and s (this will iclude all HEI calls from 2 April 2012). They are responsible for making sure that students enquiries are dealt with promptly and if required, any referrals are sent from here to the processing teams in Fleetwood to be actioned within 24 hours. The team also administer the NHS Student Bursaries Facebook site which provides valuable and accurate information to students. From left to right: Carly Mason, Michaele Armstrong, Paul Veevers, Sharron Muter, Ali Henty, Tomi Lawson and Jo Smith 4

5 13. HEI Helpline From Monday 2nd April 2012 we are moving our HEI enquiry line to the central Customer Contact Section (CCS). This will provide you with greater availability of advisers to answer your queries and will include access to colleagues based in the Fleetwood Assessment unit when required. Our CCS advisers have been specifically selected and extensively trained to maintain your support line and they have access to the same information held at Fleetwood. Our contact centre has experience of handling complex call streams and has recently won awards including North East Contact Centre of the Year This will mean that all HEI calls will be handled at our Newcastle call centre. Senior Bursary staff at Fleetwood will continue to deal with any complex enquiries on a call referral basis from Newcastle where necessary, but will be unable to take direct calls. As part of its introduction we are holding an open day on 22nd March 2012 at 10am - 1pm at: NHS Business Services Authority, Sandyford House Archbold Terrace Sandyford Newcastle NE2 1DB It would be wonderful if you were able to attend as this is an opportunity to make sure that the move to benefit further from our CCS facility does not impact on the high level of service you are entitled to. If you wish to attend please cheryl.guijarro@ppa.nhs.uk. As places are limited, don t delay reserving your place! Any queries regarding this development can be ed to chris.dawson@ppa.nhs.uk. 14. Contact details for Student Bursaries General Enquiries Telephone: Fax: HEI Enquiries (until Friday 30 March) Tel: Website: Heisecure@nhspa.gov.uk Facebook: NHS Student Bursaries The opening hours are: 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday 9am - 3pm Saturday Closed on Sunday Issue 3-03/2012 5