LEARNER SUPPORT FUND 2015-16 For students aged 19 or over & For students on the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Scheme There are a range of support funds available and where possible, the eligibility criteria has been kept the same. However, due to the levels of support available from the College s funding bodies, there are some significant differences in some of the funds. Contents 1. Introduction 2. How We Process Learner Support Fund Applications 3. Learner Support Fund 3.1 Who Can Apply To The Learner Support Fund? 3.2 Household Income 3.3 Attendance/Course Changes And Withdrawals 3.4 How We Pay Learner Support Fund Grants 3.5 How Much Money Can A Student Get? 3.5.1 What Costs The Learner Support Fund Can Help With 3.5.2 Stages Within The Assessment Process 3.5.3 Help With The Cost Of Materials, Equipment And Other Course Costs 3.5.4 Help With Travel Costs 3.5.5 Payment Of Taxi Fares 3.5.6 Payment Of Examination/Registration Fees 3.5.7 Payment Of Tuition Fees 4. Childcare From Learner Support Fund 4.1 Who Can Apply For Help With Childcare Costs? 4.2 Required Level Of Attendance 4.3 How We Pay Childcare Payments 4.4 How Much Does The Learner Support Fund Pay For Childcare? 5. Discretion In Special Circumstances 6. Appeals/Complaints Procedures All Funds 7. Fraud 8. Appendices Appendix 1 Course Levels
1. Introduction The Learner Support Fund Bursary Scheme and the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary Fund Scheme exist to help students continue with and complete their course where they would otherwise be unable to do so on financial grounds. The amount granted to students should make a significant impact on them coming to College or being able to remain on their course. For students aged 19 and over the following bursaries are available: 19+ Hardship Fund 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Fund 20+ Childcare Fund The details in this policy follow the guidelines given to the College by our funding agency, the Student Funding Agency (SFA). There is no entitlement to receive a bursary even if a student meets all the eligibility criteria. 2. How We Process Learner Support Fund Applications Students will be able to apply using a standard paper application or by seeing a member of the Student Finance Team (SFT) a short application form will need completing. The SFT will confirm the application is complete and email/write/verbally tell a student if it is incomplete. The application will not be considered as complete until any communication from the SFT (either verbal or in writing) has been answered and the issues raised have been dealt with. Once complete all applications will be date stamped. If a student applies by seeing a member of the Student Finance Team (either to complete the form or to hand in a paper application) an initial assessment will normally take place immediately (see stage 1 of section 3.5). Forms with errors on or documents missing will take longer to process. Where a student is unable to stay for the initial assessment, applications will be dealt with after the initial application phase. All documents/evidence provided must be written in English and translations must be certified. Students should bring in a photocopy as well as their original documents. The photocopy will be kept and the originals returned. There will be 3 periods during the year when students can apply/complete an application: Initial application phase - from enrolment to 12.00 noon on Friday 16 October 2015 From 18 January 2016 to 12.00 noon on Friday 19 February 2016 From 18 April 2016 to 12.00 noon on Friday 20 May 2016
Exceptions will be made if a student s circumstances change during the year and they become eligible to the fund after the normal closing date. This does not apply to the 20 May 2016 deadline. After the initial assessment, applications are normally dealt with on a first come, first served basis (using the date stamp the SFT put on the application form). However, exceptions may be made if there are special circumstances these are normally referred to the SFT from tutors, student support staff or the Student Union. Applications received within 4 weeks of a student s start date will be backdated to the beginning of the course. Applications received after this will only be backdated to the start of the course if there are funds available. Otherwise payments will be backdated to the beginning of the week in which they are received. Following the initial assessment it can take up to 12 working weeks for a confirmation letter to be provided. All decisions are sent to students in the post. No decisions, other than the initial assessment, will be given verbally. We will use the address provided on the application form unless the Student Finance Team is given written instructions to use a different address. This address will be used for all correspondence by the Student Finance Team. If a student moves during the year they must contact the Student Finance Team directly or correspondence will continue to be sent to the address on their application form. The SFT will only discuss a student s application in the following circumstances: If the student comes in to see the Student Finance Team and has their College ID card with them. If the student sets a password for their application, details of their application will be discussed in person, by email or by telephone, with anyone who has the password. 3. Learner Support Fund 3.1 Who Can Apply To The Learner Support Fund? ALL students must: Be enrolled on a SFA funded course at Bradford College (excluding courses in the Community Section of the prospectus). Be aged 19 to 23 on the qualifying date if their course is a level 3 or 4 (see Appendix I) OR aged 19 or over on the qualifying date for all other FE courses. The qualifying date is 31 August 2015, 31 December 2015, 31 March 2016 depending on when the course starts. OR Be aged 24 and over (at the start of the course), enrolled on a level 3 or level 4 course and be in receipt of the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan for tuition fees. Need money to enable them to be able to afford to come to College. Meet the income requirement which is having a gross household income of 25,000 or less (see section on Household Income for details).
Be attending their classes regularly (see section Attendance/Course Changes And Withdrawals). Students must meet the residence requirement. Information about this will be gathered and verified at enrolment. ALL students must NOT Be eligible to receive financial support from other funds, eg Waged Apprenticeships, Work Based Learning. Be on day release from prison or released on temporary licence. Be studying a Higher Education course at Bradford College or any other institution. Bradford College and other HE institutions have other funds that students on Higher Education courses can apply to. 3.2 Household Income Students will meet the income requirement if they or their partner are in receipt of: Income Support. Income-based Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA). Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit). Students who are working or are in receipt of other benefits must have a gross income of 25,000 or less. We take all the following income into account for both the student and their partner: Wages / Earned Income. Contribution Based Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA). Any Employment and Support Allowance that is NOT income related. Working Tax Credits (discounting the childcare element). Carers Allowance. Unearned income such as rent being paid to the student or their partner. We do NOT count: Disability Living Allowance. Child Tax Credits or Child Benefit. Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit. If a student can demonstrate that they do not have an income (either their own or with their partner) they can apply to the Learner Support Fund if: They are aged under 25 and a care leaver (as defined by the Children Act 1989). They live with their parents and their parents have a household income of 25,000 or less. They have sufficient savings to support themselves during the year. If a student has no means of support they will not be eligible for the Learner Support Fund.
At the time of writing, Universal Credits have not been introduced in Bradford. The Learner Support Fund Policy will be amended to reflect this benefit in due course. 3.3 Attendance/Course Changes And Withdrawals The normal minimum attendance level is 85%. This is a student s overall attendance on the course from when they started to when their attendance is checked. The 85% level refers to a student s actual attendance in class. This does NOT count any authorised absences or sickness. Where special circumstances exist (e.g. caring responsibilities, health issues) and these are confirmed, a lower level of attendance will be set on a case by case basis. The absolute minimum level of attendance that will be expected is 70%. Where a student is working with an adviser or member of staff to improve their level of attendance special arrangements may be made. In the final term, if a student is up-to-date with their work and stands a good chance of passing their course, the attendance levels may be lowered. Initial payment may not be subject to a satisfactory attendance report if it is made before half term. However, the level of attendance will be checked later in the year and if a student s level of attendance is below the minimum level the College reserves the right to ask students to repay any money they have been given (this includes payment for bus passes and payments made in kind). Levels of attendance will be checked at specific dates throughout the academic year and if a student does not meet the minimum level of attendance at that time, the payment(s) due on that date will be cancelled and will not be reinstated unless there was an error on the register which is confirmed and amended by tutors. If a student withdraws from all or some of their courses their award will be reduced/stopped and if payment has already been made the College reserves the right to ask the student to repay some or all of the money they have received (this includes payment for bus passes, childcare and payments made in kind). Where a student transfers to another course their level or attendance will be for their new course only. Where a student transfers to another course they will not automatically be eligible for another course materials payment.
3.4 How We Pay Learner Support Fund Grants Payments being made to a student (rather than a third party) must be paid into an appropriate bank account. Cheque and cash payments will NOT be made unless there are exceptional reasons for this. Students who are asylum seekers will only receive payments that can be made in vouchers (usually travel passes) or to a childcare provider. (This is currently under review by the Home Office and might change at short notice.) No award of less than 50 will normally be made. Awards valued between 40 and 49.99 will be increased to 50. 3.5 How Much Money Can A Student Get? 3.5.1 What Costs The Learner Support Fund Can Help With Students can apply for help with Travel costs. Childcare (see section 4). A course costs grant (excludes tuition fees) to help with materials, kit, course visits etc. A contribution towards tuition fees*. Examination costs*. *If a student receives tuition fee remission, these elements will not be available through the Learner Support Fund. Students who receive the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan will not be eligible for these elements either. 3.5.2 Stages Within The Assessment Process There will be two stages to the assessment process in order to ensure funding is available to students as quickly as possible at the start of the course: Stage 1 When a student completes the application process in person an initial grant will be given. Travel: A termly, or other appropriate bus pass will be issued if the student is full-time and can use First buses. A payment*, equivalent to the cost of the termly bus ticket will be paid to full-time students who cannot use First buses. A payment* of 50 will be made to part-time students where the provision of bus tickets/passes is not appropriate. Course costs: A payment* of 100 will be authorised for course related costs.
*Payments may take up to 8 weeks. Stage 2 All applications are assessed individually and how much money a student gets depends on a number of things: If they have to pay their own tuition fees or not. What course a student is studying. Whether the course is full or part-time. Their timetable. Where they travel from. How they travel. This section will explain how these things affect the grant a student can get. Payments will normally be made between January and March. 3.5.3 Help With The Cost Of Materials, Equipment And Other Course Costs Initially 100 will be granted for course related costs. If funds are still available, when the full assessment is completed the amount payable will depend on a student s actual costs. Tutors will be asked to identify the actual costs for each course based on bandings. Where no information is available from tutors, it will be assumed that course costs fall into Band A and no additional funding will be given. However, if students provide evidence that their course costs are higher than this individuals may be allocated additional funding. The course materials grant is not meant to cover all a student s costs, it is a contribution towards them. The maximum that will be awarded to any student is 500 even if students are taking a number of courses. Band Actual Costs Amount payable* Band A 50 to 150 100 Band B 151 to 250 200 Band C 251 to 350 300 Band D 351 to 450 400 Band E 451 and over 500 *Some or all of this funding may be paid to the College if it is felt that this will be the best way to enhance the student s chances of achieving good grades and finding employment.
3.5.4 Help With Travel Costs Where a student lives one or less than one mile from their place of study (or from the Free City Bus route), no assistance will be given with travel costs unless the student has valid reasons why they cannot walk to College. This must be declared on their application form. Who? Full-time students who travel by bus and can use First buses Other full-time students Part-time* students What? Provision of an appropriate travel pass to cover College teaching weeks. Passes will usually be bus only First Travel Cards. Cash payment equivalent to the cost of the termly First tickets provided. 50 per term 3.5.5 Payment Of Taxi Fares If a student must use taxis because: They have an injury which means they cannot use public transport. Amount payable: Full cost of taxi up to a maximum of 500. They have a disability and cannot access public transport or are not entitled to transport or funding (e.g. Mobility Element of Disability Living Allowance) for transport through another means. Amount payable: Up to 50% of the actual costs, maximum of 1,000 per year It will be the student s responsibility to notify the SFT that they fall into one of these categories and to provide appropriate supporting information. At least one taxi receipt will be requested to confirm the cost of the journey. If possible this should also be done in emergency situations, but this must not delay support being given. 3.5.6 Payment Of Examination/Registration Fees Examination and registration fees (for students who are charged for these items) will be paid in full up to a maximum of 300 per student (regardless of whether the student is full or part-time). Payment of fees over this amount will be considered if the student would be unable to take the examination without the additional support. 3.5.7 Payment Of Tuition Fees This does NOT include students aged 24+ on a level 3 or level 4 course or students who are eligible for tuition fee remission. Students who have to pay their own tuition fees can get 50% of their tuition fees paid by the Learner Support Fund. If funds are available students may receive additional help with tuition fees in March 2016.
4. Childcare From Learner Support Fund Paying for childcare is one of the main barriers that students face when they are coming to College. The Learner Support Fund and 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary Fund can help with these costs. 4.1 Who Can Apply For Help With Childcare Costs? As well as meeting the conditions in Section 3 students must also be: Using officially registered childcare provision. Be the primary carer for the child/children who need childcare. Using any Early Years Grant or Early Intervention Grant for the time they are in classes. In addition, student must NOT: Be aged 19 at the start of the course. Students who are aged 19 on the qualifying date (31 August 2015, 31 December 2015, 31 March 2016) should apply to Care to Learn for their childcare costs. Application forms can be downloaded from the Care to Learn website. Have a partner at home who can look after the child/children. Be in receipt of the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credits. 4.2 Required Level of Attendance For childcare payments the minimum level of attendance is 70%. This is a student s overall attendance on the course from when they started to when their attendance is checked. The 70% level refers to a student s actual attendance in class and any authorised absences or sickness will NOT count towards this figure. If a student s level of attendance is 69% or lower childcare payments will be stopped immediately and the student will have to pay all childcare payments due. Payments will start again once the student s level of attendance is over 70%, but any payments that have been cancelled will not be reinstated. 4.3 How We Pay Childcare Payments Childcare payments will be made in advance to the student. Payments will be made in blocks of up to 12 weeks. Attendance will be checked before each payment is made and at various points students will have to prove that they have paid the money to their childcare provider. Complete applications received by the SFT within 4 weeks of a student s start date will be backdated to the beginning of the course (or the date when childcare started). Applications received after this will only be backdated to the beginning of the week in which they are received. If funds are available later in the year, childcare might be backdated to the beginning of the course.
Childcare payments covering any one period of time will not be paid to two different childcare providers. Therefore, if a student leaves one childcare provider and starts using a different childcare provider, there will be no overlap in payment. If a student does not want to leave at the end of a specific payment period, they will have to pay any difference in funding themselves. Full-time students can claim for a full week of nursery care (even if they do not attend every day of the week). Part-time students can claim for each day they have to be in College (even if they are only in College part of the day). This is to give students time for the personal study they are required to complete for their course. However, where a part-time student can choose when they attend classes (e.g. numeracy, literacy, IT workshops) they will be expected to group classes together as much as possible. Normal childcare payments will end when the student s teaching finishes (usually the end of June). If funds are still available childcare may be paid to students who use registered childcare over the summer period providing: The student is returning to study at Bradford College in September. The course can be either FE or HE, but must show progression, i.e. be a level or year higher. The childcare provider charges to keep the place available. The student s child will not be attending school in September. The student continues to use the same childcare provider. 4.4 How Much Does The Learner Support Fund Pay For Childcare? The normal maximum amount the Learner Support Fund Childcare will pay is: Per Week Per Year Summer* Full-time student one child in childcare 175.00 7,500 1,750 Full-time student more than one child in childcare 350.00 15,000 3,500 Per Day Per Year Summer* Part-time student one child in childcare 35.00 7,500 1,750 Part-time student more than one child in childcare 70.00 15,000 3,500 If the maximum levels set do not cover the full childcare costs the student will need to make a case for the additional costs. These will be considered on a case by case basis. If a childcare provider charges during school holidays, the Learner Support Fund will pay over the following College holidays: Half term holidays, Christmas holiday and Easter holiday. *The fund will only pay childcare over the summer holiday if funds are available.
5. Discretion In Special Circumstances In the majority of cases this policy will be followed. However, it is recognised that special circumstances arise that cannot be written into a policy. Therefore, the Student Finance Team Leader (either individually or with the help of the Student Financial Support Committee) has discretion to deviate from the policy if it is felt that there is genuine need. These actions must result in a student being able to start or continue their course of study. In most cases this type of payment will only be made if the student is willing to be referred to the Guidance/Counselling Team or Student Union Welfare Officer. This will include payment of a language interpreter where it is felt that a student might be at risk and using a member of the College staff is not appropriate. 6. Appeals/Complaints Procedure All Funds Appeals can be made if a student feels this policy has not been followed and this has resulted in their not being given a grant or not receiving as much as they should. Appeals must be made within 4 working weeks of the date on their decision letter and must be in writing, clearly stating the grounds of the appeal. Appeals should be addressed to The Student Financial Support Committee, c/o Student Finance Team, Old Building, Great Horton Road, Bradford, BD7 1AY. The Student Financial Support Committee members may vary but will always include a Senior Manager and a representative from the Student Union. The decision of the Student Financial Support Committee will be sent in writing and their decision will be final. If a student s situation changes during the academic year, there is no need to submit an appeal. They should arrange to see a member of the SFT so any new evidence can be considered. 7. Fraud Where there is evidence of fraud against the system, the evidence will be reviewed by the Director of Student Services, the Guidance and Welfare Manager and the Student Finance Team Leader. If fraud is confirmed this will result in one or more of the following: The loss of all future payments. OR The loss of some payments not already made. OR The student being asked to repay ALL funding received and the loss of all future payments. Disciplinary action. In certain circumstances the College may have a duty to pursue fraud as a criminal matter.
8. Appendices Appendix I Course Levels Appendix I Course Levels Level Entry Level Level 2 Level 3 Type of courses covered QCF Award QCF Certificate CSE Grade 1 (5 or more) GCSEs Grade A* - C (5 or more) A Level (1) AS Level (1, 2 or 3) QCF Diploma Level 2 Functional Skills Level 2 First Certificate First Diploma Level 2 Principle Learning QAA Access to HE AS Level (4 or more) A Levels (3 or more advanced passed) QCF Diploma Level 3 Advanced 14-19 Diploma GNVQ Advanced