RNC Policy: Bursary Fund

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1 RNC Policy: Bursary Fund Responsibility: Director of Student Support Services Approved by SMT: September 2018 Date of next review: July 2019 EIA Completed: July 2018 Version Date Amendments Author 1.0 July 2017 Draft amendments in line with 2018/19 Bursary Fund Guidance issued by the Education and Skills Funding Agency MKJ 1.1 August 2018 Draft version. Formatting and minor changes MKJ 1.2 September 2018 Version 1.1 amendments approved at SMT MKJ Commitment Statement RNC is committed to the fundamental values of equality, diversity and inclusion, which creates a supportive environment for all members of our community to live, work and study. Our commitment to equality and diversity means that this policy has been screened in relation to the use of plain English, the promotion of the positive duty in relation to race, gender and disability and to eliminate discrimination to other equality groups related to age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity and religion or belief. We believe that safeguarding has paramount importance and RNC recognises its responsibility and duties within the Government Prevent Strategy to be aware of and where appropriate act to ensure the safety of all students from radicalisation and extremism. This document is available in alternative formats on request. If you think RNC can improve the fairness of this policy please contact the author who has responsibility for the review and update 1

2 Contents RNC Policy: Bursary Fund... 1 Contents What is the Bursary Fund? Vulnerable Bursary... 3 Eligibility... 3 Who is eligible to apply for Vulnerable Bursary?... 3 Who is not eligible for the Vulnerable Bursary?... 3 Assessment and allocation... 3 Payment Discretionary Bursary... 4 Eligibility... 5 Assessment and Allocation... 5 Payment Additional Support Changes of circumstances Fraud The Bursary Fund Committee Appeals procedure Information and Advice

3 1. What is the Bursary Fund? The Bursary Fund is made available by the government and is designed to provide targeted assistance to students who may otherwise face barriers to participation in Further Education and training. The scheme is divided into two parts: Vulnerable Bursary Discretionary Bursary 2. Vulnerable Bursary Eligibility Who is eligible to apply for Vulnerable Bursary? The Vulnerable Bursary can be worth up to 1,200. Students who satisfy the following criteria are eligible to apply: Students funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) directly or via a local authority Students aged at least 16 years of age and less than 19 years of age on 31 August If a student turns 19 years of age during their programme of study, they can continue to receive the bursary until the end of the academic year or the end of their programme of study, whichever is sooner. Students must also satisfy one of the following criteria: Be in or have recently left local authority care Be in direct receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit Be in direct receipt of Disability Living Allowance and Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit Be in direct receipt of Personal Independent Payments (PIP) and Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit Who is not eligible for the Vulnerable Bursary? Students who do not fulfil any of the criteria described above. Students who live in Scotland, Ireland or Wales and travel to study in England. Students over the age of 19 at time of application. Assessment and allocation Students who wish to apply for the Vulnerable Bursary are required to should complete an application form and submit it to the Student Hub team as soon as they can on the commencement of their course. 3

4 Continuing students must re-apply, requesting bursary support for each subsequent year of their course while they are eligible. Applications received after the start of term, if found to meet the eligibility criteria, may have monies paid pro-rata based on their start/finish date. The College Bursary Fund Committee will meet to consider Vulnerable Bursary applications. Students who are deemed eligible for the Vulnerable Bursary should be aware that to continue to receive funding they must: Maintain a good level of attendance Maintain achievement in line with course requirements, goals and objectives Maintain good levels of behaviour, in line with the student Learning Agreement. Attendance records and feedback during the weekly Student Status meeting will determine whether the criteria has been met. The size of the award given will be proportional to the level of attendance and standards of behaviour achieved. These terms will not apply to those students who are in care or who have recently left local authority care. If an application to the Vulnerable Bursary is successful the College will request the necessary funds from the Student Bursary Support Service. Payment of the Vulnerable Bursary will commence once the funds have been confirmed. Payment All payments will be directly linked to attendance, performance and behaviour. Payments will be made by RNC directly into a student's bank account. Young people receiving the Vulnerable Bursary will have their payments considered at the end of each academic half term to determine the size of the award in proportion to the level of attendance and standards of behaviour achieved within that half term These terms will not apply to those students who are in care or who have recently left local authority care. 3. Discretionary Bursary The Discretionary Bursary Fund is a limited fund; it can be used to financially support students with: Accommodation Food Transport Equipment and materials Field trips, university interviews and open days The level of support available is dependent on the total funding received by the College and the number of applications received. The level of funding available may vary during the year; once all available funds are allocated during the year, no further applications can be considered. 4

5 Eligibility The Discretionary Bursary is available to RNC students who are not eligible for the full Vulnerable Bursary; their course should be funded directly by the ESFA or by ESFA via a local authority Students who satisfy one of the following criteria are eligible to apply for funding: Students aged at least 16 years of age and less than 19 years of age on 31 August 2018, or students over 19 years of age who are continuing on a course which they started when between 16 and 18years of age. Students who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Students must also satisfy one of the following criteria: Have been in receipt of free school meals or Pupil Premium funding during the 2017/18 academic year. If you are unable to provide direct evidence of this the College may be able to confirm eligibility via the Department of Education. Be able to demonstrate a household income of less than 25,000. Evidence may include but is not limited to the following: o Tax Credit forms o Evidence of income from self-employment (if applicable) o A P60 o 3-6 months worth of bank statements. o 3 most recent monthly Universal Credit award statements Assessment and Allocation Students who wish to apply for funds through the Discretionary Bursary should complete an application form and submit it to a Residential Manager. Students are able to apply throughout the year and, dependent on the available bursary funds, have their application considered. All applications will be considered on an individual basis. Students personal circumstances and other sources of financial support will be considered. Successful applications will be passed to the Finance team for payment. Payment Generally, payments up to but not exceeding the total value of the award will be made in-kind through payment of accrued costs e.g. travel passes, meals or course materials. If equipment is purchased through the Discretionary Bursary it will be loaned to the student for the duration of their programme of study under a College Loan Equipment Agreement (Appendix 4) and must be returned once the study programme has been completed. In all cases where a cash advance is issued please provide the Finance Department with copies of any receipts or invoices for audit purposes. 4. Additional Support Under exceptional circumstances, students who are not eligible for either the Vulnerable or Discretionary Bursary can apply for one-off course related expenses up to the value of 75 (proof of income or hardship will be asked for). This money will require repayment and any monies owing 5

6 not repaid by the end of the year or the end of the programme, whichever is earlier, will be reclaimed from the College deposit. In exceptional circumstances a request for further funds may be considered by the Principal. Applications for additional financial support will be considered on an individual basis and are dependent upon available funds. Students who wish to apply should contact the Student Hub team for more details. 5. Changes of circumstances Students will be required to disclose any change of circumstances during the year which may affect their eligibility for assistance. If a student in receipt of assistance leaves before the completion of the course, they may be required to repay all or part of their award, and must return any equipment purchased with their award. 6. Fraud If the College becomes aware of a potentially fraudulent claim, all Bursary payments relating to that claim will be put on hold immediately pending investigation. An investigation will be carried out by the Bursary Committee and completed within 10 working days; if the investigation is likely to take longer than this the student will be informed. Action will be taken to either: Re-start payments or reimburse monies withheld if the outcome of the investigation does not evidence a fraudulent claim or, if proven, attempts will be made to recoup monies paid and consideration will be given to the student facing action under the College Student Disciplinary Policy. 7. The Bursary Fund Committee The Bursary Fund Committee is made up of a Residential Manager, the MIS Manager and a Director of Learning and Curriculum. Tutors and teachers do not make decisions about applications but they may offer information to the Committee about a student s circumstances, wellbeing, behaviour, progress and attendance. Students and their parents should understand that the available fund is limited. Any appeals against decisions can be made to the Bursary Fund Committee and unresolved disputes will be decided upon by the Principal. Evidence will be required by the Committee to support all applications. 8. Appeals procedure Students who disagree with the decision regarding their application can appeal against it. The appeal must be made within seven working days of being notified of the decision. Applicants should state clearly their reason for disagreeing with the decision. The appeal will be handled as follows: The application will be reviewed by the Bursary Fund Committee, where consideration will be given to whether the initial assessment was correct. The applicant will be notified of the outcome within 10 working days of receipt of appeal. 6

7 If the applicant disagrees with the decision made by the Bursary Fund Committee and the dispute remains unresolved, the Principal will make the final decision within 10 working days. 9. Information and Advice The Student Hub team can signpost students to the appropriate agency for support and advice relating to benefits, advice, money or financial concerns and can provide information and application forms for the Vulnerable and Discretionary Bursary funds. If a student is not eligible to apply for either the Vulnerable and Discretionary Bursary funds the Bursary Fund Committee will consider an application for a Discretionary Learning Support Hardship Loan (Appendix 5). All information provided by students will treated in confidence and will be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act