Financial Support for students 2011/2012

EMA (EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE)

1) Those students who have received an EMA in 2009/10 and 2010/11 academic year and who are covered by the EMA guarantee will be eligible to claim a continuation payment at the same rate for 2011/2012.

2) Those students who received the top rate EMAs (£30) for the first time in 2010/2011 will be eligible for a continuation payment of £20 in 2011/2012.

If you are in either category you will receive a letter from the YPLA (Young People’s Learning Agency) in July which will act as an EMA Notification of Entitlement which you should bring to College when you come to register/enrol in August/September.

THE 16-18 BURSARIES

If you will be 16-18 on 1 September 2011 you may be entitled to apply for support from our Bursary Fund.

PRIORITY BURSARIES

These are targeted at those young people who are one or more of the following:

• In Care

• Care Leavers

• In receipt of Income Support

• In receipt of Employment Support Allowance together with Disability Living Allowance

These Bursaries are worth £1,200. Those who may have been entitled to the continuation of an EMA will receive the Priority Bursary as this is of greater value.

MAINSTREAM BURSARIES

There are three categories of Mainstream Bursaries:

1) These are targeted at those students whose parents/careers receive one or more of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit, provided they were not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190

• And or where the student was entitled to Free School Meals in Year 11

2) These are targeted at those students not in category 1 where their parents or careers have an annual income of less than £21,000

3) These are targeted at those who face emergency short term financial hardship.

BURSARY FUNDS CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT COSTS WITH:

• Travel • Meals • Equipment and Materials • Course related visits
• UCAS applications • Sport activities • One off emergencies

Payments may be made direct to the supplier rather than to the individual student. For example for all or part of a bus pass or sport or art kits.

19+ DISCRETIONARY LEARNER SUPPORT FUND

This fund is targeted at those students who will be 19 or older on 1 September 2011 who are facing significant financial hardship.

In addition to support identified for the 16-18 Bursary Fund those who are entitled to support from the Discretionary Learner Support Fund can apply for support with costs for:

• Cover with tuition and exam fees • Child Care costs • Other Sources of Financial Support

CHILD BENEFIT

Parents can continue to claim Child Benefit until their child’s 20th birthday if you stay in full time education.

CARE TO LEARN

Those students under the age of 20 can apply for financial support to cover childcare costs up to £160 per week through the Care to Learn scheme. Childcare must be provided by an OFSTED registered childcare provider.

APPLICATION FOR SUPPORT

If you believe you are eligible for financial support from either the 16-18 Bursary Fund or the 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund you will need to complete an application form. The initial application deadline is 9 September.

Application Forms are available from Student Services on 01925 633591 or Admissions on 01925 415 415. They will also be available at Registration.

You will need to bring your application and supporting evidence to Registration and we will aim to give you a decision on your eligibility at that point. However it may take up to 3 weeks to assess the level of support you will be entitled to unless you are one of those entitled to a Vulnerable Learner Bursary.

The supporting evidence you may provide includes:

• A statement from the relevant local authority for those in care

• A statement from the relevant social services for care leavers (it may be possible to verify status via a known supported accommodation address)

• A statement from the relevant local authority in relation to eligibility for Free School Meals

• A statement from the Department for Work and Pensions

• A letter from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

• A P60

• Tax Credit Award Notice

• Evidence of self employment income

Any questions:

You can phone to speak in confidence to a member of our Student Services or Guidance Team on 01925 633591 or call in at your convenience. Student Services will be open all summer, Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 3.30 pm.

Note: Our policies for the Bursary Fund are in line with the Warrington Bursary Fund Protocal, endorsed by all Warrington schools and colleges.

Information correct as of 14.7.2011