YOUR GUIDE TO FUNDING NCLanarkshire NCLanarkshire
Contents
What types of funding are there? Whether your course is full-time or part-time, Further/Higher Education or leisure, there are many different sources of funding for which you may be eligible, including funding for childcare, general hardship or assistance with accommodation costs. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Student Funding staff at your campus. Tuition Fees Do I need to pay tuition fees? There are tuition fees for most courses. Am I eligible to have my fees waived? Scottish domiciled students Full-time courses Most Scottish domiciled students who are permanently resident in Scotland, studying a full-time vocational course will normally be eligible for a Fee Waiver, providing they meet the various residency criteria. Please contact the College if you are unsure about meeting the residency criteria. Scottish domiciled students part-time vocational courses If you are ordinarily resident in Scotland and meet the residency criteria you may be eligible for a part-time Fee Waiver. You must be in receipt of certain State Benefits, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit, or on a low income.
Individual Learning Account (ILA) If you are not eligible for a Fee Waiver you may be eligible for an ILA to pay for some or all of your tuition fees. If your personal income is 22,000 a year or less and you meet the residency criteria, you may be eligible for 200 towards the cost of your tuition fees. Whatever course you decide on, make sure that you have applied for your Individual Learning Account and that you have received your account number before booking a course, as you cannot use your funds to pay for a course that you have already booked. The above general information is based on ILA guidelines, however, please contact Skills Development Scotland directly at www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk or freephone 0800 917 8000, for specific information relating to college courses. Part-time Fee Grant for Higher National or Degree Courses If you are not eligible for a part- time Fee Waiver and are studying a part-time course at Higher National or Degree level you may be eligible for a part-time Fee Grant to pay for some or all of your tuition fees. This is administered by the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS). Please Note: ILAs are administered entirely by Skills Development Scotland and not by the College. College staff can advise ILA applicants on eligible college courses. Unfortunately, College staff cannot inform or advise applicants or members of the public on their eligibility to apply, obtain or use ILAs. These are matters exclusively for Skills Development Scotland. Log onto their website for more information and to apply on line go to www.saas.gov.uk and click onto part-time funding. Your college, university or private training provider must be approved and validated before funding can be offered. Any student in receipt of full-time student support from SAAS is not eligible for the part-time fee grant. This includes students who are registered as full-time but attending on a part-time basis.
Also, SAAS cannot offer a part-time fee grant funding if you are already receiving support for other government training schemes. This includes ILA and the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme. Senior Citizens all part-time courses If you are a Senior Citizen studying a part-time course and are not eligible for a Fee Waiver, or an Individual Learning Account, you will be eligible for a 25% discount. This discount will be applied when you pay for your course. Overseas Students If you do not meet the residency criteria you may not be eligible for any funding for your tuition fees and you may be charged overseas rates. You should seek advice from the College s International Office. Payment of Tuition Fees If you need to pay tuition fees you may be able to pay by instalments. Arrangements can be made for you to pay by standing order or direct debit. The College accepts payment by cash, cheque, switch, delta, electron, visa, access or mastercard credit cards. Where an employer or sponsor is paying your course fees, you must bring written confirmation at enrolment that your course fees are being paid by them. Where this is not provided, you may be required to pay the fees yourself.
Full-Time Further Education Courses and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Programmes Bursary and Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) What funding is available for my full-time Further Education course? Depending on certain criteria you may be eligible for a full-time Further Education Bursary or an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA). You may also be eligible for an award from the College Childcare or Discretionary Funds (see Childcare/Discretionary Fund section). If you are under 22 at the end date of your course and estranged from your parents, you are entitled to claim Income Support and Housing Benefit. You can still apply for a Bursary for travel and course expenses. If you are a lone parent and you have a child under 5 years old you are entitled to claim Income Support and apply for a Bursary for travel and course expenses. How do I know if I am eligible? Eligibility depends on your personal circumstances, residency criteria (similar to that for your tuition fees), whether you have studied before, and the income levels of yourself and where appropriate, your parents/legal guardians or your partner/spouse. If you have studied and been funded before, you may still be eligible for a second award, however, the criteria is specific.
What is a Further Education Bursary? This is means-tested financial support for non-advanced courses which gives an allowance for living costs, travel expenses, course expenses and in certain circumstances an additional support needs for learning allowance. You must be 16 before the end of September for August start courses and 16 before the end of February for January start courses. There is no upper age limit for a Bursary. The actual amount awarded depends on the income of your parents/partner/spouse or legal guardians and your own unearned income. A bursary for course and travel expenses for under 18s will not be means-tested and will be awarded regardless of parental income. for assessment if you meet any of the following criteria: You are aged 25 or over on the start date of your course. This is the date the course starts rather than the date you start the course. If you have not yet reached the age of 25 you should be defined as self-supporting, if one or more of the following applies on the start date of the course: - You are married or have a partner. This does not include situations where you were married but that marriage broke down prior to the start date of the course or - You have no parents living; or - You are caring for a child or adult dependent on you; or You will be considered to be self-supporting and will not be required to submit your parents income details - You have supported yourself for periods aggregating no less than three years, through employment, benefits or a Government training programme.
Some lone parents and students who are in receipt of State Benefit for living costs will be assessed for travel and course expenses only. If you personally have any unearned income over 20.52 per week, this will be taken into account and your bursary award will be reduced for. Examples of unearned income would be Working Tax Credit, Trust income or income from rented property. When are Bursary payments made? Bursary Payments are paid every 4 weeks (2 weeks in arrears) direct to your bank account. You should make sure that your bank account accepts BACS payments. You should also ensure that your bank account details are correct as incorrect bank details will delay your payments. How much Bursary will I get? This depends on the means test, but here are the maximum amounts for the maintenance allowance (living costs part): Self-supporting student 93.03 per week If there is an adult in the household who is wholly financially dependant on you and is not eligible for State Benefit you may also be eligible for a dependant s allowance of 53.03 per week. Parentally supported student 73.61 per week Travel expenses will be paid at the most economical cost and there will be a distance criteria. Students attending the Motherwell Campus from outlying districts or students with disabilities can apply to use to College transport. You should contact the Learning Support Assistant for Transport in Learner Services at Motherwell Campus as soon as possible to arrange this.
You should indicate clearly on your bursary application form if you intend to use College transport. Travelling expenses will not be included in your bursary award, as the College will pay for the transport directly if you meet the overall criteria for a bursary. If, due to a disability, you are unable to travel to college by public transport or College transport, you should contact the Learning Support Assistant for Transport in Learner Services at Motherwell Campus as soon as possible to discuss alternative means of travel. In order to make arrangements which best suit your needs the Learning Support Assistant for Transport in Learner Services may need to know the nature of your disability and whether you require particular transport (e.g. a vehicle in which a wheelchair can be clamped.). Travelling expenses will not be included in your bursary award, as the College will pay for the transport directly if you meet the overall criteria for a bursary. Course expenses cover the costs of necessary course materials, books etc. and will be determined by the College. The amount awarded to you will be assessed as part of the overall bursary assessment, the payment of this part of your award be paid direct to your faculty who will purchase the materials, books etc. and issue them to you. IMPORTANT: Not all students are eligible for bursary support and may have to meet certain costs. Therefore it is important that you know whether or not you are entitled to an award as soon as possible. You should apply for your Bursary as soon as you have been advised you have a place on a full-time Further Education course. Don t delay handing in your application form because you are waiting for exam results or documentary evidence, as these can be handed in at a later date. The College is open over the summer for the submission of all funding application forms.
What is an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)? This is a means-tested award for living allowance for students studying non advanced courses, who will be under 19 at the start date of their course. You may receive 30 a week, paid fortnightly in arrears. www.emascotland.com The actual amount awarded depends on your parents /legal guardians income. Parental taxable income in excess of 20,351 per year will result in a nil award, unless there is another child in the family in full-time education where the threshold for parental income increases to 22,403. Please note: in order to receive EMA payments you must have 100% attendance. This means that you must go to all classes every week. If you are entitled to claim benefit (e.g. Income Support) you can still receive an EMA. What documents will I be asked to provide for Bursary and EMA? You will be asked for a number of documents which depending on your circumstances could include the following: Your birth certificate, passport or photographic driving licence (FOR ALL STUDENTS). P60 s for parents or spouse/partner. Tax Credit Award notices. Your own payslips. Evidence of benefits. Evidence of income for self-employed parent/partner/spouse. Evidence of maintenance payments received or paid. Evidence of income received for bank/ building society interest. Evidence of any other taxable income.
Examples of Funding available for students studying a full-time Further Education Course A single parent with children under the age of 5 (at the end of the academic year) who are in receipt of Income Support, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit - Would remain on benefits and apply for a full-time Further Education Bursary for travel and course expenses only. This bursary award should not affect benefits. A single parent who is working and will continue to work who receives Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit A student under the age of 19 at the start of the academic year - Would apply for a Further Education Bursary for travel and course expenses only, and an Educational Maintenance Award (EMA) for living costs. The Bursary would be awarded to under 18 year olds regardless of parental income. The Bursary for 18 years olds would be means-tested against parental income. The EMA for all students would be means-tested against parental income. - Parents would still be eligible for Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit until the student reaches the age of 20. - Would apply for a Further Education Bursary (maintenance, travel and course expenses). Earned income, Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit would not affect award. Any Working Tax Credit over 20.52 per week would be deducted for from the Bursary award.
A student, whether in paid employment or not, who is married or has a partner and has no other personal income - Would apply for a Further Education Bursary award (maintenance, travel and course expenses). All elements of the award would be means-tested against spouse/partner s gross income for the previous tax year and own current unearned income. Spouse/partner income less than 20,643: Maximum Bursary award of 93.03 per week, plus travel expenses and course expenses Spouse/partner income between 20,643-54,173: Reduced maintenance allowance, plus travel expenses and course expenses Spouse/partner income over 54,173: No maintenance allowance, may still qualify for travel costs and course expenses. A single student, is over 25 years old living with parents - Would apply for a Further Education Bursary award (maintenance, travel and course expenses). This award would not be means-tested against parental income and you would be assessed for the maintenance element at the highest rate of 93.03 per week. A single student, is over 25 years old living in own home - Would apply for a Further Education Bursary award (maintenance, travel and course expenses). This award would not be means-tested against parental income and you would be assessed for the maintenance element at the highest rate of 93.03 per week. You could also apply for financial assistance with accommodation costs from the Further Education Discretionary fund.
A single student under 25, (who can provide evidence that they have supported themselves through earnings or benefits for 3 full years), living with parents - Would apply for a Further Education Bursary award (maintenance, travel and course expenses). This award would not be means-tested against parental income and you would be assessed for the maintenance element at the highest rate of 93.03 per week. A single student aged 19-24, living in parental home, who cannot provide evidence that they have supported themselves through earnings or benefits for 3 full years, commencing a full-time Further Education course - Would apply for a Further Education Bursary Award (maintenance travel and course expenses). This award would be means-tested against parental income. You would be assessed for the at home maintenance rate of 73.61 per week. Parental income between 24,275-51,495: Reduced maintenance award, plus travel expenses and course expenses. Parental income over 51,495: No maintenance allowance, may still qualify for travel and course expenses.
A single student aged 19-24 commencing a full-time Further Education course, living in own accommodation, because parental home is not within reasonable travelling distance of the College or is living in an established permanent home (other circumstances may apply); and who cannot provide evidence that they have supported themselves through earnings or benefits for 3 full years - Would apply for a Further Education Bursary Award (maintenance travel and course expenses). This award would be means-tested against parental income. You would be assessed for the away from home maintenance rate of 93.03 per week Full-Time Higher Education Courses Student Awards Agency for Scotland funding (SAAS) What funding is available for my full-time Higher Education course? If you are starting a full-time HNC/D or Degree course, you must apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for your tuition fees and living costs. All funding except tuition fees is means-tested. You may also apply to the College Childcare or Discretionary funds. Assessment for these funds takes into account your expenditure as well as your income. Parental income between 24,275-56,797: Reduced maintenance award, plus travel expenses and course expenses. Parental income over 56,797: No maintenance allowance, may still qualify for travel and course expenses. Tuition Fees: Scottish students studying in Scotland no longer have to pay fees. It is advisable to check your eligibility with SAAS regarding fees if you have studied before or if your residency criteria is in doubt. Applications for funding from SAAS and further information is available via their website at www.saas.gov.uk
There are a number of different funds available from SAAS and these are listed below: FUNDS THAT ARE REPAYABLE: Student Loans (income/non-income assessed) NON-REPAYABLE: Young Student Bursary Independent Student Bursary Lone Parent Grant Disabled Students Allowance Vacation Grant for Care Leavers How much will I get? This depends on your personal circumstances, residency criteria, previous study and the income levels of yourself and where appropriate your parents/legal guardians or your partner/ spouse. The table on the next page shows the maximum awards payable for each of the above grants/loans.
STUDENT LOAN/GRANT RATES 2013-2014 CLOSING DATE 31 MARCH 2015 ALL GRANTS AND LOANS PAID MONTHLY www.saas.gov.uk Application form and Video TUITION FEES 1,285 NON-REPAYABLE SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS NO AGE LIMIT DEPENDANTS Spouse/adult 2,640 Weekly amount 62.86 LONE PARENTS 1,305 Weekly amount 31.07 DISABLED STUDENTS ALLOWANCE Other expenditure up to 1,725 Non medical personal help up to 20,520 Major items of specialist equip up to 5,160 per course STUDENT LEAVING CARE Up to 105 per week for accommodation in long vacation
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR DEPENDENT STUDENTS FAMILY INCOME BURSARY LOAN TOTAL 0-16,999 1,750 5,750 7,500 17,000-23,999 1,000 5,750 6,250 24,000-33,999 500 5,750 6,250 34,000 and above 0 4,750 4,750 FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENT STUDENTS (AGE LIMIT 55) FAMILY INCOME BURSARY LOAN TOTAL 0-16,999 750 6,750 7,500 17,000-23,999 0 6,750 6,750 24,000-33,999 0 6,250 6,250 34,000 and above 0 4,750 4,750 Loans repayable when earned income level is 16,910 or more at 9% of income in excess of 16,910 20,000 income - repayment amount 23 per month.
Part-Time Courses What funding is available for my part-time Further Education course? If you are in receipt of a part-time fee waiver (see the section on Tuition Fees) for a Further Education course, you are eligible to apply for a part-time Further Education Bursary. This will be assessed for travel costs and course expenses. What funding is available for my part-time Higher Education Course? For a part-time Higher Education course, you can apply to the Discretionary funds, for financial assistance with any childcare costs, course equipment or travel costs. For all Further Education part-time courses (excluding leisure and evening courses), you can apply to the childcare fund for financial assistance with childcare costs.
Childcare/Discretionary Funds What are Childcare Funds? These are limited means-tested funds for students studying both Further and Higher Education courses, who require financial assistance with childcare costs for their child/children during College hours. Household income and expenditure will be taken into consideration when assessing your application for childcare funds. There are College nurseries in all three New College Lanarkshire Campuses for children aged 0-5 years. Places are limited, so therefore it is advisable to apply early If your childcarer is external, they must be registered with the Care Commission. Students who have an unemployed spouse/partner are not eligible to apply for childcare assistance. There will be no financial assistance for College holidays, therefore please inform your childcarer prior to accepting your child/children s place. Will I be eligible to apply for assistance from the Childcare Fund? You may be eligible if you are studying a full-time/part-time day course at non-advanced or a full-time course at advanced level, (HN or Degree). You must meet the residency criteria and have applied for all other funding that may be available to you. HN students must be eligible for funding for Tuition Fees from the Students Award Agency for Scotland. Check with the College if you are in doubt. All students must provide all documentary evidence requested. Household income and expenditure will be taken into consideration when assessing your application for Childcare funds.
Lone Parent Childcare Grant This is a grant of up to 1,215 for all lone parents who have a registered childcarer and are studying a full-time course. It is not means-tested. Am I guaranteed my childcare funding as my child has a place in the College nursery? No all students regardless of where their child is placed must apply for funding assistance with their childcare costs it is not guaranteed. IMPORTANT: You must apply for this funding as soon as possible as funds are limited. Until you receive confirmation that you have received an award, you will be responsible for all childcare costs. What are Discretionary Funds? These are limited means-tested funds for students studying both Further and Higher Education courses, who require financial assistance with accommodation costs. They are primarily for students who have lost their housing benefit as a result of becoming a student. They are also for childcare costs (for part-time day HE students) or for students who are experiencing hardship. Household income and expenditure will be taken into consideration when assessing your application for Discretionary funds. Generally, students who live with their parents at the start of their course will not receive financial support for rent payments if they move out of the parental home, unless they can provide evidence that they are at risk either physically or morally, should they remain in the family home.
Will I be eligible to apply for assistance from the Discretionary Fund? You may be eligible if you are studying a full-time or part-time course at either non-advanced or advanced level (HN or Degree). You must meet the residency criteria and have applied for all other funding that may be available to you. All students must provide all documentary evidence requested. You can only apply to one institution for Discretionary Funds Students and Benefits Can I apply for/stay on benefits when studying full-time? Generally, full-time students are not eligible to claim benefit for living costs while studying at College. There are a few exceptions which include some lone parents, students on disability benefits or Incapacity/Employment Support Allowance. If you are in receipt of any of these benefits you should take advice from the Job Centre Plus or DWP before commencing your course. How do I apply for discretionary funds? Applications for all funding except SAAS can be found on the College website. Applications for SAAS funding can be found on their website www.saas.gov.uk If you are a full-time student you are not eligible for Job Seekers Allowance while studying. Am I entitled to Housing Benefit when studying full-time? Generally full-time students are not entitled to housing benefit. Exceptions include some young students, lone parents and students in receipt of some state benefits.
You should contact your local Housing Benefit Office or One Stop Shop for clarification. Am I entitled to Council Tax Benefit when studying full-time? If you are a full-time student you can apply for a Council Tax discount or Council Tax exemption, depending on the duration of your course and the number and status of any other occupants. You should apply directly to your local Council Tax Office. Can I stay on my benefits when studying part-time? If you are in receipt of living costs Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, or Housing Benefit, these should not be affected if you are studying less than 16 hours per week. If you are in receipt of JSA you must still be actively seeking work. You should request a Learning Agreement from us which you should take to your local Job Centre. Before commencing your course it is advisable that you contact your local Job Centre Plus for confirmation that your benefit will not be affected. Can my parents still claim Tax Credits and Child Benefit when I am at College? If you were under 19 when you enrolled on your Further Education course your parents can still claim child benefit and child tax credits. This can be paid up to the age of 20. If you are studying a full-time Higher Education course (HNC/D or Degree) your parents are no longer entitled to claim Child Tax Credit or Child Benefit.
Useful Numbers/Contacts New College Lanarkshire Tel: 0300 555 8080 www.nclanarkshire.ac.uk Cumbernauld Campus Town Centre Cumbernauld G67 1HU Kirkintilloch Campus 50 Southbank Road Kirkintilloch Glasgow G66 1NH ILA/Skills Development Scotland Tel: 0800 917 8000 Website: www.skillsdevelopment scotland.co.uk Student Awards Agency for Scotland Gyleview House 3 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9HH Tel: 0300 555 0505 Website: www.saas.gov.uk Broadwood Campus Broadwood Stadium 1 Ardgoil Drive Cumbernauld G68 9NE Motherwell Campus 1 Enterprise Way Motherwell ML1 2TX Coatbridge Campus Kildonan Street Coatbridge ML5 3LS EMA Scotland Website: www.ema.scotland.com Student Loans Company 100 Bothwell Street Glasgow G2 7JD Tel: 0845 026 2019 (helpline) 0141 306 2000 Website: www.slc.co.uk Inland Revenue (Tax Office) Centre One East Kilbride Glasgow G71 1AA Tel: 0845 070 3703
Citizen s Advice Bureau 2 Annan House 3rd floor Town Centre Cumbernauld G67 1DP Tel: 01236 723201 Benefit Enquiry Line Tel: 0800 882 2000 Tax Credits Tel: 0845 300 3900 Lone Parent Helpline Tel: 0808 801 0323 Scottish Funding Council Donaldson House 97 Haymarket Terrace Edinburgh EH12 5HD Tel: 0131 313 6500 Website: www.sfc.ac.uk NUS Scotland Website: www.nus.org.uk Job Centre Plus Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk Child Benefit Tel: 0845 302 1444 Child Poverty Action Group www.cpag.org.uk