Download - Money While You Learn 19+ 2013/14

01752 305381 | www.cityplym.ac.uk

A guide to the funds available to help 19+ year olds study at City College Plymouth

Money While You Learn2013/14

Fraudulent ClaimsThe 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.

DisclaimerWhilst 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 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 2013

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01752 305381 [email protected] www.cityplym.ac.uk

01752 305381 [email protected] www.cityplym.ac.uk 1

ContentsWhat Help Can I Get? 2

Fee Concessions 3

• Getting help with tuition fees 3

24+ Advanced Learning Loan 4

• What is it? 4• Who can apply? 4• Key facts 4• How do I apply? 4

Discretionary Learner Support Fund (dLS) 5

• What is dLS 19+? 5• Who can apply? 6• How do I apply? 6• What evidence is required? 6

Breakfast Club 7

24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary 7

• What is it? 7• Who can apply? 8• How do I apply? 8• What evidence is required? 8

Childcare Support 9

Care to Learn (C-2-L) 9

• What is C-2-L? 9• Who can apply? 9• How do I apply? 9

20+ Childcare 9

• How do I apply? 9

• What help is available? 10• How will I know my application has

been successful? 10

Travel Support 11

• Who can apply? 11• How do I apply? 11

Free College Bus Services 12

• Number 36 - shuttle bus 12• Number 21/21A 12

Other Travel Support 12

• Cycling to College 12• Driving to College 12

Terms and Conditions 13

• Attendance 13• Withdrawals 13• Appeals 13• Further conditions 13

What Help Can I Get?Enrolling on a course can be expensive! Before you start your course you will need to consider how you will afford some of the following:

• tuition costs

• travel costs to and from the College

• the costs of course related items such as uniform, special equipment and materials

• the costs of childcare

• meeting your day-to-day costs of living.

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 Plymouth! There are various funds which may be able to help you with some of the costs, especially if you have a low income or are entitled to help from state benefits.

What help is available?There are two types of funds in place to help students:

Funds that are managed and awarded by national agencies:

• Care to Learn (C-2-L)

• 24+ Advanced Learning Loan.

Funds that are managed by the College:

• tuition fee concessions

• Discretionary Learner Support funds (dLS) for students, including residential and childcare support.

• 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary fund for students who are taking out the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan. This fund offers financial support for childcare, travel, compulsory course related costs, residential and emergency or hardship.

2 01752 305381 [email protected] www.cityplym.ac.uk


Fee ConcessionsGetting help with tuition feesTo enrol on a course you will usually have to pay tuition fees. However, you may be eligible for reduced tuition fees depending upon your age, residency in England and any benefits you may be receiving. Fee concessions usually apply to residents of England, aged 19, in the following circumstances:

• it’s your first full level 2 qualification (if aged 19 to 23)

• it’s your first full level 3 qualification (if aged 19 to 23)

• the course is a Skills for Life course (adult literacy and numeracy, and functional skills in literacy and numeracy - excluding English for Speakers of Other Languages)

• you are wanting a level 2 qualification, but are required first to obtain an entry/level 1 qualification (if aged 19 to 23 - certain other criteria apply)

• you are undertaking your first full level 3 qualification after leaving the British Armed Forces within the last ten years having completed four or more years of service or having been medically discharged, due to an injury in active service, after completing basic training (this includes students aged 24 and over)

• you are unemployed and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), Employment Support Allowance (ESA) - work related activity group only, or Universal Credit (and mandated to undertake skills training). Please bring to enrolment a benefit award letter confirming your name, address and that you are in receipt of one of the above benefits. This letter has to be dated within six weeks of your enrolment date

• you are unemployed and in receipt of a state benefit (other than JSA, ESA (WRAG) or Universal Credit) and want to enter employment and need skills training to do so or help to remove a barrier to employment. A full list of the benefits which qualify are available on the College website www.cityplym.ac.uk/funding.

Please note that if you are aged 24 and over (at the start date of your course) and undertaking a level 3 or 4 course then there will be no fee remission available. However, if the course is eligible for the new 24+ Advanced Learning Loan, you can apply for a loan to cover your course fees. Full details on the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan can be found on our website, www.cityplym.ac.uk/funding or on page 4.

Please note that students, regardless of age and circumstance, may be asked to pay ancillary course costs at enrolment.

If you do have to pay tuition fees, the College offers the following options:

• a 15% discount if you pay the amount in one lump sum (conditions apply), or

• spread the cost over four equal instalments (subject to course and other criteria).

There will be a £10 charge for paying by instalments. Support funds may be available, please see page 5.

24+ Advanced Learning LoansWhat is a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan?From August 2013 the government will be introducing a new 24+ Advanced Learning Loan. This will enable those aged 24 and over to apply for a loan to cover their course fees if they are studying a level 3 or 4 further education course.

Who can apply?To qualify for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan you must:

• be aged 24 and over at the start of your course• be resident in the UK

• have not previously had a loan to do the same qualification

• be studying a course at level 3 or 4 (including Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF) certificate and diplomas, Access to Higher Education, A levels (maximum of four), Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships).

Key facts

• You will only be able to apply for a loan to meet the upfront costs of your qualification, which will be paid directly to the College.

• The loans are not means tested or credit checked so if you meet the criteria you will be able to apply for a loan whether you are employed or unemployed.

• You don’t have to pay anything upfront for your course fees and if you’re not earning over £21,000, you won’t have to pay anything back (certain criteria apply).

• Apprenticeships - the student and the employer are expected to share the costs of the course, so the loan you take would be for 50% of the course fee.

• If your loan is to cover the fees for an Access to Higher Education course and you progress and complete a university-level (higher education) course, you will not have to pay back your 24+ Advanced Learning Loan.

How do I apply?Once you have been offered your place on a College course you will receive a Learning and Funding Information letter, with this you can then apply online at www.gov.uk/advanced-learning-loans.

The College is running a number of application support sessions to help you with the on-line application form - please visit www.cityplym.ac.uk or call 01752 305300 for dates and times.



Discretionary Learner Support Fund (dLS) 19+What is (dLS) 19+? This fund provides financial or ‘in-kind’ help to eligible students aged 19+ (as of 31 August 2013), with a number of course related costs. These funds are aimed at those most in need. There are six main elements of support and students may apply for one or more elements. If you have taken out the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan please refer to the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary fund, details can be found on page 7.

This fund is cash limited and operated on a first-come, first-served basis for September and January applicants.

Tuition fee supportThis is awarded to students who are not eligible for fee remission and have to pay their own course fees. Students eligible for this support will need to fulfil the general criteria of dLS. This support is not guaranteed and will only pay up to 25% of the cost. You need to make provision to pay your fees in full. There are only limited funds available. You will not be able to receive this support if you are receiving the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan, or if you are aged 24 and over and undertaking a level 3 or 4 course.

Course cost grantSupport is available to help students pay for compulsory course related materials. This grant is means tested and available to students whose household income is less than £25,500 (based on the financial year ending April 2013) and who can show hardship and a need for this assistance. The amount of grant you receive 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.

TravelAssistance will be given to students who live more than three miles from the College site they are attending and the financial rate will be dependent on the home address. Support is means tested on household income below £25,500. Full-time students can either opt to receive this as termly cash payment, or use it to purchase a bus pass for their local area. The cash award will be at the same rate as the bus pass for your area. Part-time students will receive 50% of the rates given to full-time students.

Attendance is checked regularly and a bus pass may be blocked if a student fails to attend College.

For full details see the travel information on page 11.

Support for higher education open days/interviewsAssistance may be provided to cover the main travel costs for students who are attending a higher education open day or interview. This grant is means tested and available to students whose household income is less than £25,500 (based on the tax year ending April 2013). Travel assistance for up to three trips may be covered and students could receive support for accommodation in exceptional circumstances (this will be looked at individually by the Student Funding team). Students may apply in advance or retrospectively, and the visit must take place during the 2013/14 academic year. Evidence of the date of the open day/interview will need to be submitted.

Additional funding/emergenciesAny student with exceptional hardship or emergency needs can apply for financial assistance to enable them to remain at College. This is normally a one-off support payment or very short term support. It cannot be used to substitute for state benefits or living costs.

ResidentialSupport with term-time only lodgings costs are available to students who have had to move as they cannot undertake their course closer to home. The student has to have a journey time of more than two hours a day, or a distance of more than 15 miles from their current home address. Students have to be undertaking their first full level 2 or 3 qualification. The course has to be at least 15 hours per week and of ten weeks minimum duration. Tenancy agreement and receipts of rent payments, each term, will need to be provided.

Who can apply? Eligible students must:

• be enrolled on a full or part-time course funded by the government

• have good attendance

• fulfil normal UK residency rules

• not be in receipt of the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan. Please refer to further details on page 4.

The amount you are entitled to will depend on your household income.

How do I apply?You will need to complete the 19+ Financial Support application form and return it to the Student Funding team or Student Help Desk as soon as possible.

Application forms should be processed and decision letters sent to students within four weeks of the date of us receiving the application, as long as all information has been submitted and the student is enrolled at the College.

What evidence is required?Please refer to the guidance notes attached to the 19+ Financial Support application form for more information.



Breakfast ClubThe College provides a Breakfast Club for students aged 16 and over undertaking a government-funded further education course.

A FREE breakfast of tea or coffee and cereal, toast or fruit will be available for students on their normal College days in the main College refectories at Kings Road and Goschen (term-time only). The Breakfast Club will be available between 7.45am and 9.15am at Kings Road and between 8.00am and 9.15am at Goschen. This initiative supports the College’s ‘Healthy College’ quality mark and sets students up for the day!

24+ Advanced Learning Loan BursaryWhat is 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary?This fund provides financial or ‘in-kind’ help to eligible students aged 24 and over (as of the start date of the course) and in receipt of the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan, with a number of course related costs. These funds are aimed at those most in need. There are five main elements of support and students may apply for one or more elements.

This fund is cash limited and operated on a first-come, first-served basis for September and January applicants.

Course cost grantSupport is available to help students pay for compulsory course related materials. This grant is means tested and available to students whose household income is less than £17,729 (based on the financial year ending April 2013) and who can show hardship and a need for this assistance. The amount of grant you receive 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.

TravelAssistance will be given to students who live more than three miles from the College site they are attending and the financial rate will be dependent on home address. Support is means tested on household income below £17,729. Full-time students can either opt to receive this as termly cash payment, or use it to purchase a bus pass from their local area. The cash award will be at the same rate as the bus pass for your area. Part-time students will receive 50% of the rates given to full-time students.

Attendance is checked regularly and a bus pass may be blocked if a student fails to attend College.

For full details see the travel information on page 11.

Additional funding/emergenciesAny student with exceptional hardship or emergency needs can apply for financial assistance to enable them to remain at College. This is normally a one-off support payment or very short term support. It cannot be used to substitute for state benefits or living costs.

ResidentialSupport with term-time only lodgings costs are available to students who have had to move as they cannot undertake their course closer to home. Students may be awarded up to 50% of term-time lodging costs paid in termly instalments, subject to attendance. The student has to have at least a journey time of more than two hours a day, or a distance of more than 15 miles from their current home address. Students have to be undertaking their first full level 3 qualification. The course has to be at least 15 hours per week and of ten weeks minimum duration. Tenancy agreement and receipts of rent payments, each term, will need to be provided.

ChildcareSupport is available to help students with up to 100% of term-time only childcare costs. Support is means tested on household income below £17,729. Payments will be made monthly direct to your childcare provider (unless otherwise agreed with the Student Funding team), once you are enrolled and subject to attendance.

Who can apply?

Eligible students must:

• be aged 24 and over (on the start date of the course)

• be enrolled on a mainstream further education level 3 or 4 course*

• be in receipt of a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan and receiving the maximum loan amount

• fulfil normal UK residency rules

• have household income below £17,729

• have good attendance, 90% or above.

*Please note that if a student in receipt of a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan at level 3 also undertakes another learning aim at level 2, the College retains the right to support the student’s financial support needs from other College funds that the student may be eligible for, mainly Discretionary Learner Support Fund (dLS) 19+.

How do I apply?You will need to complete the 19+ Financial Support application form and return to the Student Funding team or Student Help Desk as soon as possible.

Application forms should be processed and decision letters sent to students within four weeks of the date of us receiving the application, as long as all information has been submitted and the student is enrolled at the College.

What evidence is required?Please refer to the guidance notes attached to the 19+ Financial Support application form for more information.



Childcare SupportCare to Learn (C-2-L)What is Care to Learn?If you are a young parent, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and any additional travel costs whilst you are studying.

Who can apply?You must be:

• aged under 20 on the start date of your course

• living in England (normal residency rules apply)

• the main carer for your child/ren

• using an Ofsted registered childcare provider (this can be a childminder, nursery or pre-school).

How do I apply?You can pick up an application form from the Student Funding team, or request one via the Care to Learn website - www.direct.gov.uk/care-to-learn. You will need to complete the application form then get your childcare provider, and the College, to complete it before it can be processed. Please forward the application to the Student Funding team for completion - not your tutor. You will receive support of up to £160 per week towards costs (based on your College timetable) and this is paid directly to your childcare provider.

If you have any problems completing the application form, please contact the national Learner Support Service on 0800 121 8989.

20+ ChildcareHow do I apply?Students aged 20 or over (as of 31 August 2013) may be entitled to assistance with childcare costs from Discretionary Learner Support fund (dLS) 19+ or the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary fund.

Students will have to complete the 19+ Financial Support application form and fulfil the general criteria, and also fulfil the following:

• have a household income below £17,729

• be using an Ofsted registered provider

• be the main carer for the child/ren (eg partner is unable to care for them).

Students will need to complete a Childcare application form for each child they are requiring childcare support for - the form will also need to be completed by the childcare provider. Please provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate or recent Child Tax Credit notice.

For childcare costs to be fully backdated, you MUST apply within 28 days of your course starting (childcare and main application form). Childcare application forms received after this time will only be backdated to the Monday in the week the application form was received by the Student Funding team.

Care to Learn (C-2-L)

What help is available?

• Childcare costs will be covered for the time spent in timetabled classes at the College only.

• Up to £160 per week for full-time students.

• Up to £80 per week for part-time students.

• We may pay a 50% retainer for holiday periods (excluding one week at Christmas and the summer holidays), if required by your childcare provider. Please note that we will not be able to pay any holiday rates if you are receiving financial support under the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary fund.

• One day’s additional placement will also be covered if compulsory for your course.

If your child qualifies, at any point during the academic year, for the Nursery Education Grant (NEG) or ME2 funding, this cost will be deducted and the College will only cover any remaining cost - term time only.

Payment is made monthly direct to your childcare provider - once you are enrolled and subject to attendance. If attendance is below 90%, your childcare payments will be stopped and you will be liable for all remaining amounts.

How will I know my application is successful?

• You will hear from the Student Funding team within four weeks of your Childcare application form being received. If you do not hear from us within that time, do contact us as we might not have received your Childcare application form.

• Once your Childcare application has been processed, a payment schedule will be sent to you and your childcare provider to sign. Payment will not be released until the signed copy is received by the Student Funding team. By signing the form, you both agree that the details are accurate. You and your provider only have 28 days to query the costs/days being paid (from the date the form was signed). The only exceptions being due to a timetable change/change in nursery fees (when we are informed in advance).

Until the offer letter is sent to you, and your provider, confirming your entitlement to childcare assistance, the College does not have any obligation to pay any childcare fees. You therefore need to consider how you will pay childcare costs if your application is unsuccessful.

• If there are any changes in your childcare needs (ie timetable changes, fee amount changes), please inform the Student Funding team in advance. If this information is not passed to the Student Funding team, any additional costs may not be covered.

This scheme is cash limited and issued on a first-come, first-served basis.



Travel SupportWho can apply?Students may be able to receive assistance with their travel to/from College. Students must fulfil the following criteria:

• be aged 19+ as of 31 August 2013

• be undertaking a government funded further education course of at least ten weeks

• live more than three miles from the College site where course is provided, or not within walking distance of the free College bus services.

Support will either be provided as termly cash payments or full-time students can opt to use these funds to purchase a bus pass. Bus passes will be issued in conjunction with the main bus provider for your area (based on home address). Bus companies are Plymouth Citybus, First Bus Group and Western Greyhound.

If a bus pass is required, Devon students (mainly from the areas of Ivybridge, Kingsbridge and Tavistock) need to provide three passport sized photographs. Cornwall students (mainly from the areas of Launceston, Liskeard and Looe) need to provide one passport sized photograph.

For Devon and Cornwall students outside of these areas, please contact the Student Funding team to ensure they can provide you with a bus pass. If they are unable to support your request, you may be able to apply to your local authority for support.

Part-time students will receive 50% of the equivalent cost. Cash travel payments will not exceed the cost of a bus pass. Travel support is issued termly subject to attendance.

How do I apply?Travel support will be assessed via the 19+ Financial Support application form where household income is below £25,500 or if you are in receipt of the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan, below £17,729. Please tick on the application if you require a bus pass instead of the termly cash payments.

For full-time students, if household income is above this threshold, students could still receive a bus pass from the College Travel Fund - at the subsidised cost of £280 for the year. Application forms are available from the Student Funding team.

If a student leaves or completes their course during the academic year, the entitlement to the travel support will end and if a bus pass was provided, it will be blocked.

Please note: there is a strict no replacement policy on all First Bus Group bus passes issued. Please ensure you keep your pass safe!

There will be an additional £30 administration charge for any lost, damaged or stolen Plymouth Citybus or Western Greyhound bus passes. You will only be entitled to one replacement bus pass per term.

First Bus Group bus passes will be issued on a termly basis subject to the student remaining on course. Passes in conjunction with Plymouth Citybus and Western Greyhound will be electronically activated termly and re-loaded automatically each term subject to the student remaining on the course.

Free College Bus ServicesThe 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, from the city centre. Students will need to produce their 2013/14 College student ID card when boarding these services (this card will be provided during induction week). If the card is not presented, the student will be charged the normal applicable rate for the journey.

Number 36 - shuttle busThis 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 run through to Goschen.

City College Plymouth students can travel free of charge on this service without their student ID cards for the first two weeks of the academic year. After this time students will need to produce their 2013/14 College student ID card when boarding these services. If the card is not presented, the student will be charged the normal applicable rate for the journey.

Number 21/21AStudents 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 21 service is a quicker and more direct route from the city centre. Students will need to produce their 2013/14 College student ID card when boarding these services. If the card is not presented, the student will be charged the normal applicable rate for the journey.

Copies of the Plymouth Citybus timetables are available fromwww.plymouthcitybus.co.uk.

Other Travel SupportCycling to CollegeThe College provides free bicycle lockers (these will be issued on a strictly first-come, first-served basis) and hot showers to cyclists at Kings Road and Goschen.

There is also a newly installed drying room available at Kings Road, in room KW027.

Please contact the Estates office on 01752 305722 for information.

Driving to CollegeThere 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 some designated areas for motorcycle/moped parking too.

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.



Terms and ConditionsAttendance 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 all childcare schemes this will be checked on a monthly basis, and the residential support element on a termly basis. Failure to achieve 100% attendance will lead to the non-payment of assistance for the following week/month/term.

WithdrawalsIf you withdraw from your course you will not receive further financial assistance. You will also have to repay any financial assistance you have been awarded and pay any outstanding fees.

AppealsIf 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 financial support 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. Your appeal 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 and Tutorial 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.

If you are unhappy with the decision of the Student Services and Tutorial Manager you can make use of the College’s formal complaints procedure.

Further conditions (Discretionary Learning Support fund (dLS)19+, 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary and childcare)

• If you enrol and your financial support application is unsuccessful, you will have to pay your course costs in full.

• If you withdraw from your course, you will have to pay for the course in full.• You must supply all necessary evidence with your application. Your application will

not be assessed without it.• dLS and 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary funding is only available for one

course per academic year. If you are on a two year course 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 booklet 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.

Student Funding TeamCity College PlymouthKings Road Devonport Plymouth PL1 5QG

t: 01752 305381/305110 e: [email protected]: cityplym.ac.uk

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The Student Funding TeamThe Student Funding team is here to 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.

Student Funding staff can provide you with more detailed information on any of the schemes mentioned in this guide or help with completing forms.

Download - Money While You Learn 19+ 2013/14

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