CITY ACHIEVERS BE PART OF IT MONEY WHILE YOU LEARN 2016/17. A guide to the funds available to help year olds study at City College Plymouth

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1 CITY ACHIEVERS BE PART OF IT MONEY WHILE YOU LEARN 2016/17 A guide to the funds available to help year olds study at City College Plymouth

2 If you would find it easier to read this guide in a larger type or a different format, please call Fraudulent Claims The College must protect itself against the possibility of fraudulent claims. We ask for detailed information and may invite applicants for interview so we can distribute the funds fairly. If a claim is considered fraudulent, we will ask for any money given to you to be repaid in full. If you fail to repay your grant we may take court action. You will not be allowed to collect any course certificates until all costs have been paid. The College reserves the right to notify the police and/or any other relevant agencies with regard to our suspicion of fraudulent actions. Disclaimer Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that this guide is correct at the time of going to press, due to circumstances beyond our control changes may occur and funding eligibility, availability and criteria etc may change. The College will use its reasonable endeavours to notify you of any such changes, wherever possible. No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the information contained in this guide can be accepted by the College. City College Plymouth 2016

3 CONTENTS What Help Can I Get? 2 Student Funding for Year Olds What is Student Funding? 2 What financial support 3 could I receive? Who can apply? 3 How do I apply? 3 Travel Support 4 Replacement bus passes 5 Free College bus services 6 Cycling to College 6 Driving to College 6 Other Support Available 9 Course related costs Vulnerable Bursary 9 Additional funding/ 9 emergencies Breakfast Club 10 College Meal Scheme 10 Terms and Conditions 12 Attendance 12 Withdrawals 12 Appeals 12 Further considerations 13 Childcare Support 7 Care to Learn 7 Housing Support 8 What is the Residential 8 Support Scheme? Who is eligible? 8 How do I apply? 8 studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

4 WHAT HELP CAN I GET? Finance is an important factor when deciding to come to College. However, you don t have to let a lack of money prevent you from attending your chosen course here at City College! There are various funds which may help you with some of the costs, especially if you have a low income or are entitled to help from state benefits. Before you start your study programme you will need to consider how you will afford some of the following: examination or ancillary course costs (material fees) travel costs to and from the College the cost of special equipment and materials the cost of uniform the cost of childcare meeting your day-to-day costs of living. Are you aged 16-18?* As a City College student you may be entitled to: FREE breakfast club FREE College meals* FREE bus pass* * For students aged as of 31 August 2016 who meet the eligibility criteria for 2016/17 Student Funding only. Please see pages 4, 5 and 12 for further details. STUDENT FUNDING FOR YEAR OLDS What is Student Funding? This fund provides financial or in-kind help to eligible students aged (as of 31 August 2016), with a number of courserelated costs. This fund is cash limited and operated on a first-come, firstserved basis for September and January applicants studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

5 What financial support could I receive? I am aged (as of 31 August 2016) I live with my parent(s)/ guardian(s) and they have a household income of 21,000 or less I am in care, a care leaver, receive Income Support (in my own right) or receive both ESA and DLA/PIP (in my own right) I may be able to receive help with: College Meal Scheme travel course-related costs I may be able to receive a 1,200 bursary and free College meals Who can apply? How do I apply? Eligible students must: be enrolled on a full or part-time course funded by the Government be aged as of 31 August 2016 have good attendance fulfil normal UK residency rules have a household income of less than 21,000. Complete the Student Funding 2016/17 application form. Enclose the required evidence as indicated on the application form (please only send photocopies). Send the completed form and full evidence to the Student Funding team, whose address can be found on the reverse of the application form. Application forms will be returned if supporting evidence is not provided. studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

6 TRAVEL SUPPORT Assistance will be given to full-time students who live more than three miles from the College site they attend (this excludes those on the free College bus route - see page 6). Support will be available either in the form of a FREE bus pass or a contribution towards travel costs if you live in an area where there is no suitable bus service. For full-time students whose household income is over 21,000, you could still receive a bus pass from the College Transport Fund, at the subsidised cost of for the year. Application forms are available from the Student Funding team. You must be fully enrolled before you can collect your bus pass. You can collect your pass from the Student Funding Office at Kings Road or the Student Centre at Goschen. If you study at dbs Music or Achievement Training you can collect it from the reception areas. Any travel costs incurred before the pass is collected will be your responsibility. Bus passes will be issued in conjunction with the main bus provider for your area (based on your home address). Bus companies are Plymouth Citybus and Stagecoach Southwest. To ensure your bus pass will be available from the time you are fully enrolled, your application, with evidence, should reach the Student Funding team by Wednesday 10 August If you apply after this date you will need to make your own way to College at your own expense, until the application is processed and the bus pass is collected. This can take up to ten working days. Should you live in an area where there is no suitable bus service (mainly Gunnislake, Calstock and Exeter areas) we may be able to issue monthly travel payments, subject to attendance, to help cover train costs. These will be a contribution to your travel costs and will be issued at the equivalent cost of a bus pass for that area. If you have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP), please contact your Local Authority for specialist travel support. Stagecoach South West bus passes will be issued on a termly basis subject to the student remaining on their study programme. Passes in conjunction with Plymouth Citybus will be electronically activated termly, subject to you remaining on your study programme studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

7 Please contact the Student Funding team to ensure that we can provide you with a bus pass. If we are unable to support your request, you may be able to apply to your Local Authority for support. If you leave or complete your study programme during the academic year, the entitlement to travel support will end and if a bus pass was provided, it will be blocked. No refunds will be given for passes that are only used for part of the year. Please note that you will not be able to change bus company once your pass is issued. Replacement bus passes There is a 5 administration charge for lost, damaged or stolen bus passes. Replacement Plymouth Citybus bus passes can be obtained directly from the Plymouth Citybus Travel Centre located at 32 Royal Parade, Plymouth. For replacement Stagecoach South West bus passes, please contact the Student Funding team. studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

8 Free College bus services The College provides a number of free bus services, in conjunction with Plymouth Citybus, for travel between the main College sites at Kings Road and Goschen, and the city centre services 36 and 21/21A. You will need to produce your 2016/17 College student ID card when boarding these services. If the card is not presented, you will be charged the normal applicable rate for the journey. Number 36 - shuttle bus This bus is available from Stop A6 (bottom of Royal Parade, near the Theatre Royal). This free shuttle service links the city centre with Kings Road and Goschen. The service runs at various times of the day and is available term-time only. Please check the timetable as some services do not stop at Goschen. Number 21/21A Students may travel free of charge between the city centre, Kings Road, Goschen and St Budeaux Square on this service between 7.00am and 10.00pm, term-time only. For students travelling to Goschen in the morning, the number 21 service is a quicker and more direct route from the city centre. Copies of the Plymouth Citybus timetables are available from City College students can travel, free of charge, on the number 36 service without their student ID card for the first six weeks of the academic year. Cycling to College The College provides free secure bicycle lockers (these will be issued on a strict first-come, first-served basis) and shower facilities at Kings Road and Goschen. There is also a drying room available at Kings Road in room KW027. Please contact the Estates office on for more information. Driving to College There is limited parking available to students at Kings Road and Goschen. There is also some on street parking at all centres, but some areas are for residents only. Disabled parking is located by the main entrance at both Kings Road and Goschen. There are also some designated areas for motorcycle/moped parking. The College encourages car sharing where possible, and has a green travel policy which aims to reduce the environmental impact of student and staff transport studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

9 CHILDCARE SUPPORT Care to Learn (C-2-L) If you are a young parent, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and any additional travel costs whilst you are studying. In order to apply, you must be: aged under 20 on the start date of your course or study programme living in England (normal residency rules apply) the main carer for your child/ren using an Ofsted registered childcare provider (this can be a child-minder, nursery or pre-school). To apply for Care to Learn: you must register with the Student Bursary Support System and complete the online application form at you will need to know your childcare provider details including name, address and Ofsted registration number (available from your childcare provider), details of the College (please contact the Student Funding team for details), details of any additional travel costs you may wish to claim and details of your support worker (if applicable) the Student Bursary Support Service will make contact with your chosen childcare provider and the College and ask them to provide further details to confirm the course or study programme details and the childcare requirements. Your application will not be processed until all parties have completed their part of the application process you will receive support of up to 160 per week towards costs (based on your College timetable). This is paid directly to your childcare provider. This will include any additional award for travel costs that may be applicable. If eligible, travel costs will be paid to the College and paid to you. The College is running a number of application support sessions to help you with the online application form - please visit or call for dates and times. Alternatively, you can contact the Student Bursary Support helpline on for help and advice. studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

10 HOUSING SUPPORT What is the Residential Support Scheme (RSS)? The RSS provides financial support with accommodation costs (term-time only) for those students aged who need to study away from home because their course is not available locally. Annual support of up to 3,458 (dependant on household income) towards the costs of your accommodation will be made direct to your landlord each term - subject to your attendance. You will be liable for costs outside of term-time. Your grant may not be able to cover the full rent costs, so you will be liable for any outstanding amount. Who is eligible? You will qualify for RSS if you: are attending a course where the same or similar study programme which delivers an equivalent qualification is not available locally are aged as of 31 August 2016 are undertaking your first full level 2 or level 3 qualification have a daily travel journey of over 15 miles, or over two hours in travelling time from home to College have a household income below 30,993 are ordinarily resident in England, and have been for the three years preceding the start of your course. Please note that your study programme must be government funded and be at least 15 hours per week, and at least ten weeks in duration. How do I apply? Contact the Student Funding team for a Residential Support Scheme application form. Should you need assistance completing the form please let us know and we can make an appointment to go through this with you. Once you have completed the relevant sections, you will need to bring your application form to the Student Funding team, along with a copy of your tenancy agreement, for the application to be assessed. Household income evidence is required - please refer to the guidance notes in the application form for more details, or you can contact the Student Funding team for help and advice. Fully completed forms, with all the supporting evidence attached, will normally be processed within six weeks of receipt. You must be fully enrolled and actively attending your study programme before any payments can be released to your landlord or letting agency. If you change accommodation at any point during the year, please inform the Student Funding team immediately to ensure your entitlement is not affected studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

11 OTHER SUPPORT AVAILABLE Course related costs Support is available to help students pay for compulsory course-related materials (books, uniform, trips etc). The amount will depend on the particular course you will be attending. Please note you may need to purchase items before you start the course and the grant is not guaranteed. Not all students may be eligible for this support Vulnerable Bursary Eligible students are entitled to up to 1,200 per term/year (pro-rata depending on how long your study programme is). The bursary can be used to help support travel, equipment, uniform and other courserelated costs. The remainder will be paid in monthly instalments, subject to your attendance. You must be fully enrolled and actively attending your study programme and have submitted a Student Funding application form (along with evidence as detailed in the application form), before you can receive any payments. Monthly payments will be made into your bank account, subject to attendance. Students on an Apprenticeship will not be eligible. Students receiving the Vulnerable Bursary will also be eligible for the College Meal Scheme (see page 11). If you are eligible for the Vulnerable Bursary and require a bus pass, the FULL cost of the bus pass will be deducted from your total bursary. Additional funding/ emergencies Any student with exceptional hardship or emergency needs can apply for financial assistance to enable you to remain at the College. This is normally a one-off support payment or very short-term support. It cannot be used to substitute state benefits or living costs. studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

12 FREE Breakfast Club The College runs a Breakfast Club for all students aged 16 and over. On presentation of your 2016/17 College ID card, a FREE breakfast of tea or coffee and cereal, toast or fruit will be available for students on their normal College days in the College refectories at Kings Road, Goschen and Picquet Barracks. The Club is open Monday to Friday, term-time only starting Monday 12 September 2016: Kings Road, 7.45am to 9.15am Goschen, 8.00am to 9.15am Picquet Barracks, 9.30am to 10.30am. This initiative supports the College s Healthy College quality mark and sets you up for the day! FREE College Meal Scheme Eligible students will be able to access a FREE hot, healthy meal whilst at College. You must be fully enrolled, have started your study programme and submitted a Student Funding application form along with household income evidence before you can receive free meals. Students aged 14-16, apprentices or those aged over 19 (unless aged and on a Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA) or Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)) are not eligible. A meal will be available on each timetabled College day only. If you undertake a work placement, work experience or attend a College trip - other meal support can be provided studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

13 To claim your free meal, present your 2016/17 Student ID card at the till points in the College refectories at Kings Road, Goschen or Picquet Barracks. If you study at dbs Music or Achievement Training you will still be able to access the College Meal Scheme, you will receive a monthly payment into your bank account, based on your attendance. Please keep your student ID card safe as you will not be able to claim your free meal without it. studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

14 TERMS AND CONDITIONS Attendance To receive financial support from any of the national schemes or any other funds from the College, you must attend 100% of your classes. For the Vulnerable Bursary, travel and Care to Learn this will be checked on a monthly basis and for the Residential Support Scheme and bus pass activation on a termly basis. Failure to achieve 100% attendance will lead to the non-payment of assistance for the following week/month/half-term/term. Withdrawals If you withdraw from your course you will not receive further financial assistance. You may also have to repay any financial assistance you have been awarded and pay any outstanding fees. Appeals If your assistance is stopped or withdrawn due to poor attendance then you have the right to appeal. You should appeal to the Student Funding Officer in writing, explaining the circumstance as to why payment/s should be reinstated and providing as much information as possible. If you believe your Student Funding application has not been assessed correctly, you do not receive a grant or you are not happy with the level of support allocated, you can appeal. Appeals should be made in writing and addressed to: Appeals, Student Funding Team, City College Plymouth, Kings Road, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 5QG. If, for any reason, you are not happy with the outcome of the appeal, please let us know by writing to the: Student Services Manager, City College Plymouth, Kings Road, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 5QG. You can only appeal once regarding a specific situation. If your appeal is declined, you are unable to re-appeal for the same reason again, unless you can provide new additional information to support your case. The appeal decision is final. If you are unhappy with the decision of the Student Services Manager you can make use of the College s formal complaints procedure studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

15 Further Discretionary Learner Support (dls) conditions If you enrol and your Student Funding application is unsuccessful, you will have to pay your course-related costs in full. If you withdraw from your study programme, you will have to pay for this in full and your bus pass will be de-activated with immediate effect. There will be no refund for any bus pass payment. You must supply all necessary evidence with your application. Your application cannot be assessed without it. Discretionary Learner Support (dls) funding is only available for one course per academic year. If you are on a two year study programme, you will need to make a new application for help each academic year. You will not receive funding if you have outstanding debts to the College or your household income is above the rates stated. All guidance and eligibility criteria mentioned in this guide are correct at the time of print, but the Student Funding team reserve the right to amend any of this information during the academic year following government changes to eligibility criteria. studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk

16 THE STUDENT FUNDING TEAM The Student Funding team will ensure that you get the best advice and support with your application for financial support. If you need help, or would like to speak to someone on an individual basis, please do not hesitate to come to one of our drop-in sessions throughout term-time (at Kings Road and Goschen) or you can arrange a private appointment if you would prefer. The team is available throughout all holiday breaks (except Christmas). The Student Funding team can provide you with more detailed information on any of the schemes mentioned in this guide or help with completing forms. Student Funding Team City College Plymouth Kings Road Devonport Plymouth PL1 5QG / studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk cityplym.ac.uk facebook.com/cityplym twitter.com/cityplym