Finance & Support

You may know that in some circumstances you can receive support to help you attend College . . . if you are unsure or would like further information then contact our Student Support Services team on 01228 822 895.

Money Matters

Transport and financial support for 16-18 year old students in 2011/12 (English students)

Tuition and Exam fees are free if you are aged 16-18 (under 19 on 31 August 11).

Transport

Most returning students resident in Carlisle living more than three miles away will be entitled to free transport passes. Cumbria County Council has sent out application forms (2011) for completion. These must be authorised by the College once the student has an offer of a place. Students should ask at Reception for assistance and advice.
New students living more than three miles away can access a Cumbria County Council Student Support Fund where the household income is low and where they are attending the closest college which offer the vocational area to be studied. Applications can be made once a student has been given an offer of a place. Again, these must be authorised by the College, students should contact Reception for assistance and advice.
Those students who do not qualify for a free travel pass from the Cumbria County Council Student Support Fund may apply to purchase a concessionary bus pass. The annual cost will be £350. The pass is paid for in 3 instalments, at the beginning of each term - £135, £115 and £100. If the household income is less than £21k then students may apply to the College Student Support Fund for help towards the £350 cost. For Stagecoach routes there will be no restrictions on the time of travel (term time only).
Applications can be made once a student has an offer of a place. Again, these must be authorised by the College. Students should contact Reception for assistance and advice.
Students who do not qualify for either of the above options may still be able to get support for transport costs from the College Student Support Fund. Reception or Student Services will be able to offer advice and guidance.
Although no temporary passes will be issued at the start of term once you have a letter from Cumbria County Council confirming that you are eligible for a travel pass this letter will act as your travel pass until the end of September.
Students will be responsible for their own arrangements prior to being issued with a travel pass if they have not received confirmation of eligibility.

EMA

If you are an existing student and started EMA in 2010/11 progressing into your second year or moving onto the next level and previously received the £30 EMA, you will now receive £20 when you return in September.

If you are an existing student and started EMA in 2009/10 progressing onto your third year you will continue to receive EMA at the same rate when you return in September.

You will be notified of your entitlement by post by CAPITA and should bring you Notice of Entitlement to Student Support Services when you start your course.

There is no EMA for new students.

There is no EMA for new students living in England. If you live in Scotland you may be eligible for the Scottish EMA scheme if you were born between 1 March 1991 and 28 February 1995. Further information and application packs are available for Reception or Student Services.

Guaranteed Bursary

If you are aged 16-18, in care, leaving care or living independently and receiving Income Support, you could be eligible for a bursary of up to £1,200. You will not be notified if you are eligible and should collect an application form from Student Support Services when you start your course. Existing students in this category may also be eligible but cannot also receive EMA.

16-18 Student Support Fund

If you are a full time student and your household income is below £21000, discretionary support will be available which will offer means-tested support to assist students with course costs, transport if you live more than 3 miles from the College.

16-19 Bursary and Student Support Fund Policy

Care to Learn

Free childcare costs for students under the age of 20. There is also limited funding available for those over the age of 20. Application packs are available from www.direct.gov.uk or by telephoning 0800 121 8989.

This only applies to students resident in England. There is no comparable scheme for students residing in Scotland.

Transport and financial support for adult students (19 years and above) in 2011/12

Tuition Fees: The College will charge a tuition fee for students enrolling on a full time FE course. However your tuition fee will be waived if you are in receipt of an active benefit. You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you are on other means-tested benefits and are seeking work, and need the skills from your intended course to gain employment. There are also some other initiatives which could help with the cost. Please enquire when you are enrolling.

Level 2 and Level 3 Entitlement: If you are enrolling on a full Level 2 or full Level 3 course then you may be eligible to have your tuition fees waived if you do not already have a full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification. For the Level 3 entitlement you must be aged between 19—24. In some cases you may get your tuition fees waived if you are enrolling on a course below level 2 and intend to progress to a full level 2.

Exam Fees: Students on full time courses must pay their exam/registration/material fees in full at enrolment depending on personal circumstances. There may be some ways in which you could get could some help with the cost. Please enquire when you are enrolling.

19+ Transport: Provided that students live more than 3 miles away from College, they can apply to the College for help with transport. We can help with either travel ticket refunds or issue of a stagecoach pass. All applications are income assessed, and these forms are available from reception or student services at all campuses.

Adult Learning Grant (ALG)

If you received ALG in 2010/11 and are continuing on the same course you will be eligible to continue with ALG for 2011/12.

ALG is not available if you are starting a different course and have received it in 2010/11. It is not available to new students.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

If your household income is below £21000, discretionary support may be available which will offer means-tested support to assist students with transport and course costs. Students on Income Support will be able to apply for this fundfor help with the cost of exam and tuition fees.
Childcare – there is means-tested help with the cost of childcare. More details can be obtained form Student Support Services.

Adult Discretionary Support Fund Policy

Educational Charities

The College Student Welfare and Guidance Adviser can provide details about the possibility of applying for grants from various Educational Charities. The amounts are usually small and there are often strict eligibility requirements.

Students on Active Benefits

Your benefits may be affected if you are studying at College.

If you are currently on active benefits you should seek advice before committing yourself to a full time course and are strongly advised to contact Shirley Bickley, our Student Welfare and Guidance Adviser on 01228 822 895 for an initial discussion about the possible benefit implications.

Council Tax Exemption

Full time students are not counted, for council tax purposes, when looking at the numbers of adults resident in a dwelling. Please request a council tax exemption certificate from Reception or from the College web site, after you have enrolled as a full time student in September. If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or JSA this could be affected by an exemption certificate.

Full Time Higher Education Courses

(Including HND/Foundation Degree and full time Degree programmes - all students living in England)

Help with Tuition fees: Full time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of their fees which will be £3,375. This loan is not means tested but it is repayable. The Student Loan Company pay this directly to the College.

Maintenance Grant: A non repayable grant worth up to £2,906 a year for students from low income households.

Student Loan for Maintenance: To help with living costs. Means tested based on household income and it is repayable. Additional grants and allowances payable according to individual student’s circumstances. Students living in England can apply on-line at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

Scottish residents should contact the Students Awards Agency for Scotland on 0845 111 1711, or visit their website www.saas.gov.uk

A £1,170 annual bursary is also available to full time HE students (England and Scotland) payable in instalments. For an application form please contact Student Support Services.

Access to learning Fund (ALF): HE Students experiencing serious financial difficulties can apply to ALF. For an application form please contact Student Support Services.

Other useful information can be found here www.practitioners.slc.co.uk