Appealing for discretionary funding on the grounds of cpr 1617

Applying for Discretionary Funding on the grounds of CPR What this Guide will cover:  What is discretionary funding  What discretionary funding can you apply for  How to apply for discretionary funding  How to gain further advice or support  Template letters for students

Appealing for further funding based on Compelling Personal Reasons What is Discretionary Funding?

In some cases, Student Finance England and Wales are able to provide additional student finance, which they would not usually receive once they had suspend their studies. However, there are criteria that need to be met, evidence will need to be supplied and even then it remains at the discretion of Student finance.

What do we mean by Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR)?

CPR can include health-related issues, disability, family problems or bereavement. This list is not exhaustive, and you should seek advice from your university/college if you think this applies to you.

If you feel that something out of your control had a significantly detrimental effect on your academic performance or ability to study, it is worth considering applying for further funding based on CPR.

What discretionary funding can I apply for?

This will depend on your circumstances but a breakdown of the requirements are described below:

Additional 60 days funding

Continuation of student funding

Additional years study

If you are suspending your studies because of medical reasons that have effected your ability to study, then you will need to provide medical evidence to the University, who can then record the reason for suspension as based on medical grounds. In this scenario you will automatically be awarded a further 60 days of funding by the Student Loan Company.

When a student suspends from University, their student funding will be stopped and calculated on a pro rata basis from the start of their course, to the last date of their attendance. In some cases, a student may be able to extend their funding for their full suspension period on these grounds. Student Finance would require evidence of the CPR and evidence that the student is in financial hardship. Appropriate evidence would include a letter from a medical professional, bank statements (for the suspension period), overdue payment letters or evidence of any obligations the student is liable to pay during this period e.g. tenancy agreement, utility bills etc.

The current student funding regulations state that you are entitled to full statutory funding (for maintenance and tuition fees) for the length of your course, plus one extra year. This could be problematic if you need to suspend or repeat a year more than once. In this case you would be entitled to a basic maintenance loan but no maintenance grant or tuition fee funding.

If you need to repeat a year because of CPR you can apply to have an additional year of funding by providing evidence of the CPR you have experienced. You will need to provide evidence that demonstrates how the CPR affected your studies.

It is advised that you apply for this discretionary funding ASAP as there is no guarantee that it will be awarded and once you enrol on your course, it means that you would be liable for the ÂŁ9000 fees if no tuition fee funding is available.

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How to apply for discretionary Funding STEP 1 Compose a letter to your funding provider with an explanation outlining your circumstances. You can use the template on the following page. Make sure you sign the letter before sending.

STEP 2 Gather as much documentary evidence as you can to support the circumstances detailed in your letter; this can range from a letter from a medical professional to a letter of support from your tutor.

If you are applying for a continuation of your student loan you will also need to provide evidence that shows why not receiving any additional loan will cause financial hardship such as a bank statements, a personal budget sheet and utility bills and/or a tenancy agreement (to show ongoing costs).

STEP 3 Await the outcome of the appeal – it could take several weeks for your funding provider to make a decision regarding your appeal so it’s important that you send it in as soon as possible.

Key things to Remember!

1. Keep a copy of all your correspondence and record the date when things are sent.

2. Make sure all your letters are signed (including your own) 3. Letters of support need to be written on official headed paper 4. If possible, send all correspondence via ‘recorded delivery’ – this ensures documents aren’t lost in the post.

Want further advice or support in relation to your appeal?

If you are still unsure of how best to proceed given your individual circumstances, or you require more in depth support in order to apply, it is advised that you discuss your specific situation with a member of the Money@CampusLife Team.

We are able to support you through the appeal process if necessary but will need you to obtain and supply the relevant documentary evidence that relates to your circumstances.

We can also:    

Check to make sure all letters are sufficient and that documentary evidence is acceptable Provide a supporting letter from the Money@CampusLife Team detailing exactly what is requested of your funding provider.

Offer support and guidance while you go through the appeals process Please note, that whilst the Money@CampusLife Team can support students through this process, the final decision remains with the funding body and no guarantees can or will be made.

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Template letter – Additional Years Study [Funding provider address] [Date] Dear Sir / Madam RE: [Your name and Customer Reference Number or Student Support Number] I am writing to request that you consider my student finance application for the forthcoming year for discretionary funding.

I am a full-time student at Swansea University studying [name of course]. The compelling personal reasons I would like you to consider are [insert reasons]. The reason this affected my study was [insert reason].

Please see the attached documentation to support my application.

Yours faithfully, [Signature] [Print your name]

Template letter – Continuation of Student Funding [Funding provider address] [Date] Dear Sir / Madam RE: [Your name and Customer Reference Number or Student Support Number] I have received notification from the Student Loans Company that I am required to re-pay the loan/grant I am calculated to owe due to a suspension in study (see attached) and that I will not be eligible to receive any further payments of either loan or grant during this academic year.

I would like to take this opportunity to respectfully request that I be allowed to retain my full entitlement of student funding (maintenance loans and grants) throughout the rest of the current academic year. I will not be eligible to receive any benefits during the period of suspended study and due to my health/personal issues I am unable to secure employment. [Offer further details as applicable.]

I believe that restricted access to student support would leave me in severe financial hardship and thus compromise my ability to complete the course. Please find attached supplementary information in support of my request. This includes a budget sheet that details all of my essential living costs. [Attach completed budget sheet and any other relevant information such as a tenancy agreement etc.]

Given the information provided in this email/letter I would like to take this opportunity to respectfully suggest that I be considered a suitable recipient of a discretionary approach, and that I be granted access to my full maintenance funding entitlement for the rest of the current academic year.

I would be grateful if you could contact me to confirm that this course of action is possible.

Yours faithfully, [Signature] [Print your name] 3

For more information, please contact the Money@CampusLife: 01792 606699 Money.CampusLife@swansea.ac.uk Money@CampusLife Student Support Services Keir Hardie Building Swansea University Swansea SA2 8PP www.swansea.ac.uk/money-advice

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This leaflet is also available in Welsh and alternate formats such as Braille, large print etc. For further information please contact: CampusLife Reception on 01792 602000.

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