money while you learn 16-18 2013/14

01752 305381 | www.cityplym.ac.uk

A guide to the funds available to help 16 to 18 year olds study at City College Plymouth

Money While You Learn2013/14

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

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

If you would find it easier to read this guide in a larger type ora different format, please call 01752 305300.

ContentsWhat Help Can I Get? 2

16-18 Bursary 3

• What help can I receive? 3• Who can apply? 3• How do I apply? 3• What evidence is required? 3• How do I receive it? 3

Discretionary Learner Support Fund (dLS) 4

• What is dLS? 4• Who can apply? 5• How do I apply? 5• What evidence is required? 5

Breakfast Club 6

Travel Support 6

Bus Passes 6

• Who can apply? 6• How do I apply? 6

Free College Bus Services 7

• Service 36 - shuttle bus 7• Service 21/21A 7

Train Travel Support 8

• Who can apply? 8• How do I apply? 8

Other Travel Support 8

• Cycling to College 8• Driving to College 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

Housing Support 10

Residential Support Scheme (RSS) 10

• What is RSS 10• Who is eligible? 10• How do I apply? 10• What evidence is required? 10• What help do I receive? 10

Terms and Conditions 11

• Attendance 11• Withdrawals 11• Appeals 11• Further (dLS) conditions 12

The Student Funding Team 13

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

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:

• examination or ancillary course costs (material fees)

• travel costs to and from the College

• the costs of special equipment and materials

• the costs of uniform

• 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 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)

• Residential Support Scheme (RSS).

Funds that are managed by the College:

• Discretionary Learner Support funds (dLS)

• 16-18 Bursary.

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

16-18 BursaryWhat help can I receive?Eligible students are entitled to up to £1,200 (pro-rata, depending on how long your course is). This amount will be used to help support transport, equipment, uniform and other course related costs. The remainder will be paid in monthly instalments, subject to your attendance.

Who can apply?Students, who are entitled, must be aged 16-18 (as of 31 August 2013), undertaking a publicly funded further education course, and fall into one of the following groups:

• living in care

• a care leaver (if aged 18 and have been looked after for 13 weeks, or more, since the age of 14, or have ceased to be looked after or accommodated)

• receiving Income Support or Universal Credit (in their own right)

• disabled and receiving both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (in their own right).

Those on Apprenticeship programmes do not qualify. Normal UK residency rules apply.

How do I apply?You will need to complete the 16-18 Discretionary Learner Support (dLS) application form and return it to the Student Funding team or Student Help Desk as soon as possible.

What evidence is required?You will need to provide either a benefits letter showing your name, address and the benefit you are receiving (dated within the last six months), or a recent letter from Social Services confirming your care status.

How do I receive it?Any funds remaining, after initial deductions for costs and travel passes, will be issued as monthly payments subject to good attendance and the meeting of College targets. These will be made directly into the bank account declared on the application form.


Discretionary Learner Support Fund (dLS) What is dLS?This fund provides financial or ‘in kind’ help to eligible students aged 16-18 (as of 31 August 2013), with a number of course related costs. These funds are aimed at those most in need and not in receipt of the 16-18 Bursary. The fund is cash limited and operated on a first-come, first-served basis for September and January applicants.

There are five main elements of support. Students may apply for one or more elements (unless in receipt of the 16-18 Bursary where you can only apply for the emergency/hardship support).

TravelAssistance for the purchase of a subsidised bus pass is available for students living more than three miles from the College site they are attending (certain exclusion areas apply), and where household income is below £20,817 (based on tax year ended April 2013). Travel passes will be obtained for Plymouth Citybus, First Bus Group or Western Greyhound (depending on postcode) and will be issued termly.

An administration fee of £30 must be paid before the bus pass can be released. A passport sized photograph may be required.

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 pages 6 and 7.

Uniform and kit costsSupport is available to help you pay for course uniform and kit costs. This grant is means tested and available to students whose household income is less than £20,817 (based on the tax year ending April 2013).

Students can apply for a one-off payment to help with these costs. The amount you will be awarded is dependent on your course.

Please note you may need to purchase items before you start the course and the amount of the grant is not guaranteed to pay these costs in full.

Meal supportFull-time students may also get support for meals whilst in College. This grant is means tested and available to students whose household income is less than £20,817 (based on the tax year ending April 2013).

This grant is normally awarded half-termly and is subject to attendance.

Support for university open days/interviewsAssistance 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 £20,817 (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.

Emergency/hardship supportAny 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 as a substitute for state benefits or living costs.

Who can apply?Eligible students must be:

• enrolled on a full or part-time course funded by the government• attending all classes• fulfil normal UK residency rules.

The support you are entitled to will depend on your household income and home address.

How do I apply?You will need to complete the 16-18 Discretionary Learner Support (dLS) application form and return it to the Student Funding team or Student Help Desk with the relevant evidence 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?You will be asked to provide a copy of pages one to four of your parent’s Tax Credit Notice 2013/14. If this paperwork is classed as provisional or not available, please contact the Student Funding team for more information. Please supply photocopies only. The Student Funding team cannot take responsibility for returning any original documents.


Breakfast ClubThe College provides a Breakfast Club for students aged 16-18 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!

Travel SupportBus PassesWho can apply?Students may be able to receive a bus pass to assist with their travel to/from College. You must fulfil the following criteria:

• be aged 16-18 as of 31 August 2013• be undertaking a full-time government funded further education course of at least ten

weeks• live more than three miles from the College site where the course is provided, or not

within walking distance of the free College bus services.

If you have an Educational Health Care Assessment (EHCA), please contact your Local Authority for specialist travel support, and not the College.

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, First Bus Group and Western Greyhound.

Devon students mainly from the areas of Ivybridge, Kingsbridge and Tavistock can apply. Please provide three passport sized photographs.

Cornwall students mainly from the areas of Launceston, Liskeard and Looe can apply. Please provide one passport sized photograph.

For Devon and Cornwall students outside of these areas, please contact the Student Funding team to ensure 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.

How do I apply?If household income is below £20,817 (based on the tax year ending April 2013) students can apply for a bus pass via the Discretionary Learner Support (dLS) scheme. There will be a £30 administration charge for the creation of the bus pass, which must be paid before the pass can be released. If, for any reason, you have difficulty paying the administration fee, please contact the Student Funding team to discuss alternative options. These passes will be activated termly subject to the student still actively attending their course.


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. 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 bus pass will end and the bus pass will be blocked. There will be no refund of the administration payment.

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 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 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 from www.plymouthcitybus.co.uk.


Train Travel SupportWho can apply?Support with train costs is available for students who:

• are aged 16-18 as of 31 August 2013

• are undertaking a full-time government funded further education course of at least ten weeks

• live more than three miles from the College site where the course is provided

• do not have access to other public transport within the local area to ensure travel to from College in a timely manner (ie bus cannot get to the College for a 9.00am start)

• have a household income below £20,817 (based on the tax year ending April 2013).

How do I apply?You can apply via the Discretionary Learner Support (dLS) application form.

Support will be in the form of a cash payment paid termly. The amount you receive will not exceed the termly rate for a bus pass for the local area. Before the second and third term payments will be released, evidence of train costs from the previous term will need to be provided (ie receipts of payment for train tickets or carnet ticket).

Students may be able to apply for other train offers via www.nationalrail.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.


Childcare SupportCare to Learn (C-2-L)What is C-2-L?If you are a young parent, C-2-L 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.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.

Care to Learn (C-2-L)


Housing SupportResidential Support Scheme (RSS)What is the RSS?The RSS provides financial support with accommodation costs (term-time only) for those students aged 16-18 who need to study away from home because their course is not available locally.

Who is eligible?You will qualify for RSS if you:

• are aged 16-18 as of 31 August 2013

• are undertaking your first full level 2 or level 3 qualification

• have a daily return 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 past three years prior to the start of your course

• are attending a course where similar provision is not available locally.

Please note that your course must be government funded and of at least 15 hours per week, and at least ten weeks in duration.

How do I apply?You can pick up an application from the Student Funding team, or request one online at www.gov.uk/residential-support-scheme/further-information. 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 completed.

If you change accommodation at any point during the year, please inform the Student Funding team immediately to ensure your entitlement is not affected.

What evidence is required?Household income evidence is required - please refer to the guidance notes in the application form for more details, or you can contact the national Learner Support Service on 0800 121 8989 for more help.

What help do I receive?Annual support of up to £3,458 (dependant on household income) towards your lodgings costs 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.


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 Care to Learn this will be checked on a monthly basis, meal support on a half-termly 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.

WithdrawalsIf 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.

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 Discretionary Learner 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. The appeal decision is final.

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 Discretionary Learner Support (dLS) conditions

• If you enrol and your Discretionary Learner Support (dLS) 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(s) 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 will not 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 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.

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.

The team is available throughout all holiday breaks (except Christmas).

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

You can contact the Student Funding team by telephone on 01752 305381/305110 or by e-mail [email protected].

Student Funding TeamCity College PlymouthKings RoadDevonportPlymouthPL1 5QG


Notes


Student Funding TeamCity College PlymouthKings Road Devonport Plymouth PL1 5QG

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

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money while you learn 16-18 2013/14

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