FINANCIAL SUPPORT

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GENERAL

The Learner Support Fund
This is a sum of money granted to the college each year from the SkillsFunding Agencyto help students in financial difficulty (conditions apply). Students should apply on a form available from Student Services or ACE Reception as soon as they begin their college course.

Leisure Courses
There are no longer any subsidies available to help students on leisure courses. However if your course costs more than £100 you may wish to pay by instalments.

FOR 16 - 19 YEARS OLD FULL TIME STUDENTS

The College Hardship Fund is a sum of money set aside by the college to help students who cannot afford books, equipment, trips and visits etc. Anyone can apply using the form from Student Services.

Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMA)
These are weekly payments made by the government to help students stay on at college. Payment of the grant is linked to 100% attendance at college. The amount a student gets is means tested. Students apply directly to the Assessment & Payment Body (CAPITA). Applications forms are available at secondary schools and from Student Services.

FOR 19+ LEARNERS

The Adult Learning Grant (ALG) may be available up to £30 per week for your first FULL Level 2 or 3 course.

You can apply for this if you are:

• attending a full time course of at least 12 hours per week
• earning less than £30,810 between 6th April and 5th April over a 12 month period, for you and your partner or if single, less than £19,513 between 6th April and 5th April over a 12 month period
• over 19 and have not previously attained a FULL level 2 qualification or FULL level 3 qualification and wish to take a level 3 NVQ or Access course

If you are on state benefits, you do not qualify and you will lose your benefits.

Adult Learning Grants- Further Information

• These can be claimed for courses lasting more than a year
• You will be required to have an information and guidance session/interview which will be arranged with you
• You may also qualify for Tuition Fee remission
• You can also apply to the Learner Support Fund for accreditation costs, public transport, materials, etc. Forms are available from the ACE Centre Reception)

LEVEL DEFINITIONS

Level 2: 5 or more GCSEs at grades A* to C or an NVQ 2 or its equivalent

Level 3: 2 or more A levels or an NVQ 3 or its equivalent

First full: You may have some level 2 qualifications (eg 2 GCSEs at grades A* to C) but not yet have completed level 2. ALG is to help you to get your first full level 2 or level 3

OTHER DEFINITIONS

Full time

The definition of full time is at least 450 hours of guided learning per year. For example 12 hours per week across 38 weeks, so it isn't full time in the way a full time job could be. Or 150 hours of guided learning per term. Guided Learning is where someone is helping you learn, eg, sitting in the classroom, attending a lecture, being supervised.

Residence Conditions

That means you have settled status in the UK and have been 'ordinarily resident' for the three years before the course begins. If you are in doubt as to your status, please contact your student support office.