Guide to. Financial Support Schemes. for Maltese Students. in Further & Higher. Education

Transcription

1 Guide to Financial Support Schemes for Maltese Students in Further &

2 Disclaimer The information contained in this publication is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by the National Commission for (NCHE) and while it endeavours to keep the information up to date and correct, it makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, level of grants and general conditions in the regulations of different schemes. Students are advised to refer to the different agencies and official regulations in place at the time information is required. Any reliance placed on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will the NCHE be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from reference made to this publication. This publication contains links to websites which direct you to the official websites of the various schemes or provides contact information of scheme administrators. The NCHE has no control over the change in regulations or continuation of these schemes. Every effort is made to keep the publication updated with the latest information available, and to keep the website links updated and available online. However, NCHE takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, any changes in schemes or their respective regulations, nor for the website links being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control. Guide to financial support schemes for Maltese Students in Further and National Commission for Old University Building Valletta, Malta Tel.: (+) Fax: (+) 0 Mail: info.nche@gov.mt Web: National Commission for All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission of the author, and of the publisher, which must be obtained beforehand. Published by: National Commission for ISBN:

3 Introduction is the key to reaching your highest potential. Further help you meet the challenges and seize exciting new opportunities in the future both in your career prospects and your personal development. Numerous schemes are designed to help you through this journey. This guide informs you of all funding schemes available to assist you to follow in a variety of courses at different education institutions or abroad. Whether you are a student entering sixth form or a vocational programme for the first time, a student planning to continue studying at University, or an adult considering options to return to education, this guide will help you find the right financial support scheme. All the schemes in this guide support courses which lead to qualifications included in the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF). It maps qualifications by level (MQF -) and sector (academic or vocational). The guide also explains which students are eligible whether in public or private institutions, or for abroad. All information in this guide is also available online at: support Funding Schemes available per level of the Malta Qualifications Framework Funding scheme Further and Student Maintenance Grants * ESTS TAS My Potential Subsidy Scheme Aid Framework Malta Government Scholarship Scheme - Undergraduate Malta Government Scholarship Scheme - Postgraduate Strategic Pathways Scholarship Career Guidance Capacity Building Scholarship Youth Specialisation Studies Scheme Leonardo da Vinci Programme Erasmus Programme Erasmus Mundus Programme * Student Maintenance Grants are only portable to other EU countries as part of EU mobility programmes

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6 My Potential Who can apply? My Potential is a scheme aimed at promoting lifelong learning especially in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. This supports students attending fee-based ICT courses in public and private institutions. How it works All private courses eligible under this scheme are listed on the website link hereunder. Individual students submit the application form provided on the website to Malta Enterprise in order to register their interest with the scheme and to receive a refund of tuition fees through future income tax deductions following the successful completion of the course. The application form should be countersigned by the institute conducting the course, as evidence of the student s acceptance to the, and preferably the application is handed to Malta Enterprise by the relative Institute. Type of support Benefits of the scheme include discounts of % on low-end ICT certifications. In addition customized loan packages to cover the expenses of the courses are provided between the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications and three different banks - Bank of Valletta, HSBC Bank and Lombard Bank. The scheme also offers tax credits on tuition expenses. How to apply Further information on the scheme is available at: My Potential Support provides funding for Further Level of and Types of Institution Public Private

7 Extended Skills Scheme (ESTS) & Technician Apprenticeship Scheme (TAS) Who can apply? These schemes assist students following a dual system of vocational education. This means that an apprentice follows a training programme at a vocational educational institution and carries out on-the-job training at a place of work at the same time. Two funding schemes are available to support learners: Extended Skills Scheme (ESTS) for occupational qualifications at craftsman level Technician Apprenticeship Scheme (TAS) for occupational qualifications at technician level How it works The apprentice, registers with the ETC who then assist in finding an employer who provides on-the-job training. This training is supplemented with theoretical tuition provided by either MCAST or ITS. At the end of the apprenticeship, candidates are trade tested by an independent board and those successful are awarded the Journeyman s certificate at either craftsman and/or Technician level. Type of support The employer pays the apprentice an agreed salary while the funding scheme provides additional support in the form of maintenance grants. How to apply Further information on both schemes is available at: ESTS and TAS Support provides funding for Further Level of and Types of Institution Public Private

8 Subsidy Scheme (TSS) Who can apply? This scheme supports self-employed individuals and those working in microenterprises of 0 or less employees to develop their skills by participating in further off-the-job vocational education and training. Any self-employed person or individual who has been in employment with an enterprise for at least three months can apply. In all cases this must be the applicant s primary employment. How it works It offers recipients a grant of % of the costs related to their training, up to a maximum of,000. Apprentices, who meet these criteria, are also eligible. How to apply Individuals should apply directly to the Employment and Corporation (ETC) to receive the grant. Further information on the scheme is available at: Subsidy Scheme Support provides funding for Further Level of and Types of Institution Public Private

9 Aid Framework (TAF) Who can apply? The Aid Framework is an opportunity for local companies to receive financial support for investing in their human resources. The subsidy is offered to companies in the private sector and varies according to the type of training offered and the size of the enterprise. Self-employed persons are also eligible for this scheme. How it works can be either in-house or outsourced and can be given or abroad through distance learning. The training includes all courses at all levels be they organised locally or abroad. Type of support Each trainee may be awarded up to,000 per annum. The amount increases to 0,000 per annum for qualifications rated at or higher. Each company may be allowed up to 0,000 a year. Eligible costs include trainers fees, trainers and employee travel expenses, training consultancy and personnel costs during training. How to apply Individuals should apply through their employers or in the case of self-employed directly to the Employment and Corporation (ETC), who administer this funding scheme. Further information on the scheme is available at: Aid Framework Support provides funding for Level of Further and Types of Institution Public Private

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11 Malta Government Scholarship Scheme The Malta Government Scholarship Scheme assists students to pursue degrees at public and private Institutions or abroad through two different schemes: The Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Undergraduate The Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Postgraduate Further information on the scheme is available at: mgss_ug Malta Government Scholarships Undergraduate Scheme This scheme aims at supporting students wishing to follow an undergraduate course in a private Institution or abroad. Calls are issued once a year during summer, and eligible applicants producing evidence that the course intended to be followed leads to a recognized qualification from a reputable institution are included under the scheme. Only full-time courses are supported. The scheme provides maintenance grants for the duration of the course and does not cover tuition fees. Additional grants are available for students from Gozo and for persons with special circumstances. Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Grants (Undergraduate) provides funding for Level of Further and Types of Institution Public Private

12 Malta Government Scholarships Postgraduate Scheme This scheme aims to attract more students in postgraduate courses at both Masters and Doctoral levels. Students following courses in public or private Institutions, both or abroad, on a part-time or fulltime basis as well as through distance learning, may apply for the scheme. The scholarship is awarded based on merit, after an interview process to rank all applicants against selection criteria outlined in the regulations. A travel allowance is available for those studying abroad, and additional support is available for spouses travelling with scholars, for children and for Gozo residents studying. Further information on the scheme is available at: _mgss_pg Students following full-time courses can apply for support towards tuition and subsistence at Master (up to,000 annually) or Doctorate level (up to,00 annually). Part-time and distance programmes are granted support towards tuition expenses only and for the entire duration of the course, i.e. up to,000 for Masters and up to,000 for programmes at Doctorate level. Malta Government Scholarships Scheme Grants (Postgraduate) provides funding for Level of Further and Types of Institution Public Private

13 Strategic al Pathways Scholarships STEPS Stategic al Pathways Scholarships The Strategic al Pathways Scholarships supports postgraduate students in pursuing a Master or Doctorate or abroad. It is similar to the MGSS Postgraduate scheme however has more scholarships available with higher rates for programmes in Science and Technology. Its main objectives are to improve the quality and relevance of the education system; to reduce skills mismatches within higher value added and expanding economic sectors; and to support further research in science and technology as well as Information and Communication Technologies. Students apply under one of these categories depending on the nature of their intended. STEPS provides grants for tuition and subsistence for full-time programmes at Master (,000 annually) or Doctorate level (,00 annually) or abroad. grants are available for in priority areas namely Information and Communication Technology and Science and Technology, which are granted,000 annually for Master programmes and,000 annually for Doctorates. Part- time and distance Master programmes are also funded through STEPS. Support is granted towards tuition expenses only and for the entire duration of the course for up to,000. A travel allowance is available for those studying abroad, and additional support is available for spouses travelling with scholars, for children and for Gozo residents studying. Further information on the scheme is available at: steps Strategic al Pathways Scholarships Support provides funding for Level of Further and Types of Institution Public Private

14 Career Guidance Capacity Building (CGCB) This scholarship aims at supporting postgraduate students in pursuing a Diploma or Master programme in the field of Career Guidance or abroad. Both part-time time and distance programmes ramm are supported by covering tuition fees of up to,000 for the entire duration of the course. In addition a travel allowance is granted for up to study visits with up to, for travel expenses and, for subsistence. Further information on the scheme is available aila at: ort _cgcb Career Guidance Capacity Building Grants provides funding for Level of Further and Types of Institution Public Private

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16 Youth Specialisation Studies Scheme This is a joint scheme that provides soft loans to students, provided in partnership between the Ministry of, Culture, Youth and Sport and APS Bank. It supports graduate and postgraduate students in pursuing abroad or through distance education, which are otherwise not provided. It offers beneficial rates and repayment terms on the loan. Further information on the scheme is available at: Youth Specialisation Studies Scheme Support provides funding for Further Level of Types of Institution Public and Private Scholarship Schemes Various countries offer scholarships for Maltese citizens to pursue their education abroad, for example the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme. Further information on the different international scholarship schemes Maltese citizens may apply for is available at:

17 The European Union Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) The Lifelong Learning Programme supports mobile learners in the European Union from childhood to old age in every single life situation. It is built on four pillars:. The Comenius programme provides opportunities for schools and colleges from pre-school to the end of upper secondary education. It aims to support schools in strengthening the European dimension in their curriculum.. The Erasmus programme is targeted at students, scholars, lecturers, professors and general administrative staff in higher education institutions. It promotes cooperation among universities and enterprises for student and staff to work and study across Europe.. The Leonardo da Vinci programme aims to build a skilled workforce across Europe. It supports partnerships to exchange best practice, increase the expertise of staff and develop the skills of learners.. The Grundtvig programme promotes the European dimension in adult education and lifelong learning across Europe. It supports adult education organisations, providers and learners to set up partnerships, training courses and promotes personal development. Further information on the scheme is available at:

18 The European Union Erasmus Mundus Programme (EM) Erasmus Mundus is a worldwide co-operation and mobility programme that aims to enhance quality in higher education and promote intercultural understanding. It provides financial support for higher education institutions to build joint programmes at Masters and Doctorate level. Students can also apply for scholarships to enrol in these programmes. Applications for funding are to be made directly to the University offering the programme of choice. Further information on the scheme is available at: erasmus_mundus Lifelong Learning Programme Grants provides funding for Leonardo da Vinci Erasmus Erasmus Mundus Further Level of Types of Institution Public and Private Leonardo da Vinci Erasmus Erasmus Mundus

19 Funding Schemes available per level of the Malta Qualifications Framework Level Qualification ESTS TAS Leonardo My MGSS- MGSS- SMG STEPS CGCB YSSS ERAMUS ERASMUS TSS TAF da Vinci Potential UG PG MUNDUS DOCTORAL DEGREE MASTER S DEGREE POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE BACHELOR S DEGREE UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMA UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE VET HIGHER DIPLOMA MATRICULATION LEVEL ADVANCED LEVEL INTERMEDIATE LEVEL VET DIPLOMA GENERAL EDUCATION LEVEL SEC grade - VET LEVEL GENERAL EDUCATION LEVEL SEC grade - VET LEVEL GENERAL EDUCATION LEVEL SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE VET LEVEL

20 National Commission for Old University Building St. Paul s Street Valletta VLT Malta Mail: info.nche@gov.mt Tel: + Fax: + 0