Money While You Learn - 19+

Money While You Learn 2012/13

A guide to the funds available to help 19+ year olds study at City College Plymouth 01752 305381 | www.cityplym.ac.uk

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

Fraudulent Claims The 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.

Disclaimer Whilst 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 its 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. Š City College Plymouth 2012

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CONTENTS What Help Can I Get?

2

Travel Support

9

Fee Concessions

3

• Getting help with tuition fees

3

• Who can apply?

• How do I apply?

9 9

Free College Bus Services

10

• Number 36 - shuttle bus • Number 26

10 10

Other Travel Support

10

• Cycling to College • Driving to College

10 10

Terms and Conditions

11

• • • •

11 11 11 12

Discretionary Learner Support 4 Fund (dLS) • • • •

What is dLS 19+?

Who can apply?

How do I apply?

What evidence is required?

4 5 5 5

Breakfast Club

6

Childcare Support

6

Care to Learn (C2L)

6

• What is C2L? • Who can apply?

• How do I apply?

6 6 6

Attendance Withdrawals Appeals Further dLS conditions

The Student Funding Team

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Discretionary Learner Support 7 (dLS) Fund - Childcare • How do I apply?

• What help is available?

• How will I know my application has been successful?

7 7 8

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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 (C2L)

•

Funds that are managed by the College: tuition fee concessions Discretionary Learner Support funds (dLS) for students, including residential and childcare support.

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Fee Concessions Getting help with tuition fees To 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 19-24 only) it’s your first full level 3 qualification (if aged 19-25 only) it’s your first full level 3 qualification and you do not already hold a level 2 qualification 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 (certain other criteria apply) you are undertaking your first full level 3 qualification after leaving the British Armed Forces (after completing four or more years of service, or have been medically discharged, due to an injury in active service, after completing basic training) you are in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) - work related activity group only. 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, in receipt of a state benefit and undertaking a government funded course of further education to gain employment. A full list of the benefits which qualify are available on the College website www.cityplym.ac.uk/funding.

• • • • • • • •

Please note that students, regardless of age and circumstance, may be asked to pay ancillary course costs (material fees) 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) 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 4.

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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 Friday 31 August), 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.

Fee remission This is awarded to students who are not eligible for fee remission and have to pay their own course fees. Priority is given to students who pay their fees by instalment plan. 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 15% of the cost. You need to make provision to pay your fees in full. There are only limited funds available.

Course cost grant Support is available to help students pay for course related materials, where there is also a need for this outside of the College environment. This grant is means tested and available to students whose household income is less than £25,521 (based on the financial year ending April 2012) and who can show a need and hardship 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.

Travel Assistance 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 £25,521. 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.

Additional funding/emergencies Any 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.

Residential Support 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 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 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.

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Who can apply?

General criteria …

Eligible students must: be enrolled on a full or part-time course funded by the government have good attendance fulfil normal UK residency rules.

• • •

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

How do I apply?

You will need to complete the 19+ Discretionary Learner Support (dLS) application form and return to the Student Funding team or Student Services Help Desk as soon as possible.

What evidence is required?

Please refer to the guidance notes attached to the dLS application form for more information.

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

A free breakfast of tea and toast will be available for students between 8.00am and 8.55am, on their normal College days, in the main College refectories at Kings Road and Goschen(term-time only).

This initiative supports the College’s ‘Healthy College’ kite mark and sets students up for the day!

CHIldCare suppOrt Care to learn (C2l)

Care 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/moneytolearn. 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.

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DISCRETIONARY LEARNER SUPPORT FUND (dLS) - ChilDcare How do I apply?

Students aged 20 or over (as of Friday 31 August 2012) may be entitled to assistance with childcare costs from dLS. Students will have to complete the general 19+ dLS 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 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 forms received after this time will only be backdated to the Monday in the week the application was received by the Student Funding team.

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.

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

• • • • •

If your child is aged three or four and qualifies, at any point during the academic year, for the Nursery Education Grant (NEG), this cost will be deducted and dLS 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.

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How will I know my application is successful?

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

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Travel Support Who 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 2012 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 be either 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 Launceston, Liskeard and Looe areas) need to provide one passport sized photograph.

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 Discretionary Learner Support application form where household income is below £25,521. 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 £270 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 bus passes issued. Please ensure you keep your pass safe!

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Free College Bus Service The 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 College student ID card when boarding these services (this pass will be provided at enrolment). If the pass is not presented, the student will be charged the normal applicable rate for the journey.

Number 36 - shuttle bus This 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.

Number 26 Students 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 26 service is a quicker and more direct route from the City Centre.

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

Other Travel Support Cycling to College The College provides free bicycle lockers and hot showers at Kings Road and Goschen.

Secure bike lockers are available at a cost of £5 per year. Please contact the Estates office on 01752 305722.

Driving to College There 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.

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terms and conditions Attendance 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 (including Discretionary Learner Support Childcare) 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.

Withdrawals If 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.

Appeals If 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 dLS 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: Head of Student Journey, 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 Head of Student Journey you can make use of the College’s formal complaints procedure.

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terms and conditions Further dLS conditions (19+ and childcare): if you enrol and your dLS application is unsuccessful, you will have to pay your course costs in full if you withdraw from your course(s), you will have to pay for the course(s) in full you must supply all necessary evidence with your application. Your application will not be assessed without it 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.

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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 team The 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.

You can contact the Student Funding team by telephone on 01752 305381/305110 or by e-mail studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk.

Student Funding Team City College Plymouth Kings Road Devonport Plymouth PL1 5QG

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NOTES

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Student Funding Team City College Plymouth Kings Road Devonport Plymouth PL1 5QG t: 01752 305381/305110 e: studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk w: cityplym.ac.uk facebook.com/cityplym twitter.com/cityplym