11 April April 2017 Review Frequency: FURTHER EDUCATION. Bursary Funds Policy and Procedures

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1 Plicy number: LS131 Originatr: Admissins Manager SharePint: Plicies and Prcedures: Learner Services EIA Meeting Date: 31 March 2017 EIA Required: Yes Apprved by: SMT CMT Date: 11 April April 2017 Review Frequency: Annually Review Date: April 2018 External Web Site apprpriate: Linked plicies/cllege dcuments: Summary available: YES Attendance and Punctuality Plicy and Prcedure Yes FURTHER EDUCATION Bursary Funds Plicy and Prcedures This dcument can be made available in different frmats, n request

2 Cntents Sectin Plicy Page 1 Purpse f Bursary Fund 2 2 Eligible students 3 3 Table f Funding 3 4 Supprt Available: years Newbury Cllege Bursary Fund Including curse csts, free meal and transprt csts 4.2 Childcare fr year lds Vulnerable Yung Persn s Guaranteed Bursary Hardship Funds 5 5 Supprt Available: years Including free meal and transprt csts 6 Supprt Available: 19+ years Newbury Cllege Bursary Fund Childcare fr 20+ year lds Free meal Fees and Exams Curse Csts Hardship Funds 9 7 Miscellaneus Applicatins all ages 9 8 Disbursement f Funds 9 9 Students n Benefits 9 10 Applicatin Prcess Assessment Appeals and Cmplaints Payments Reductin r Cancellatin f Payments Change in Circumstances

3 1 Purpse f the Bursary Fund The purpse f the Bursary Fund is t supprt and retain students and prmte a psitive attitude t learning in rder that students may achieve their learning gals. Bursary Funds are awarded t institutins by the gvernment s funding agency in rder that learning prviders can prvide financial help t students whse access t, r cmpletin f educatin might be inhibited by financial cnsideratins. The pririty target grup fr discretinary funding are students wh are ecnmically r scially disadvantaged, wh need supprt with transprt, childcare r assciated learning csts and are facing financial difficulty. Each applicatin is treated n an individual basis. Data cncerning age, gender and disability is mnitred and reprted n a yearly basis t the Single Equality Duty Cmmittee. The data f all thse wh are successful in gaining supprt frm the Bursary will be analysed annually t ensure that there is equal and fair access t the Bursary. Bursary Funds are made frm separate allcatins (determined by age) by the gvernment funding agency t meet the general needs fr students in the fllwing categries: 1 Newbury Cllege Bursary fr FE Students (all ages) 2 Vulnerable Yung Persn s Guaranteed Bursary fr FE Students (16 18 years nly) 3 Childcare Funds fr FE students 20+ years nly (Childcare supprt fr students years can apply thrugh a separate scheme called Care t Learn) 4 Hardship Funds fr FE Students (16+ years) 5 Free Meal A free meal up t the value f 2.41 per day during term time will be available fr students wh are in receipt f, r have parents wh are in receipt f, ne r mre f the fllwing benefits: incme Supprt incme-based Jbseekers Allwance incme-related Emplyment and Supprt Allwance (ESA) supprt under Part VI f the Immigratin and Asylum Act Transprt the guarantee element f the State Pensin Credit Child Tax Credit (prvided they are nt entitled t Wrking Tax Credit) and have an annual grss incme f n mre than 16,190, as assessed by her Majesty s Revenue and Custms Wrking Tax Credit run-n paid fr 4 weeks after yu stp qualifying fr Wrking Tax Credit Universal Credit The Cllege prvides a free bus service frm Thatcham t Newbury Cllege. There is als a free bus frm Newbury Train Statin t the Cllege (see attached timetable). Further transprt assistance may be given t students beynd this rute. This will be a Cnnect Bus Pass r help with the cst f train travel as mst apprpriate fr yur circumstances. 2

4 Help can be prvided fr students wh receive educatin r training funded by the Chief Executive Skills Funding Agency (19+) and Educatin Funding Agency (16-18). 2 Eligible Students Yu are eligible t apply Bursary Funds if yu are a 16+ enrlled student with Newbury Cllege n 31 August 2017 n a gvernment funded Further Educatin curse Enrlled students aged 14 and 15 years ld are eligible t apply fr the Free Meal and Transprt. Yu must be: A hme student with settled status in the UK and have been whlly and rdinarily resident (fr purpses ther than nly educatin) in the British Isles, Channel Islands, Isle f Man fr three years befre yur curse began. Yu must have indefinite right f residence and be subject t n restrictin n the length f yur stay. (A valid passprt shuld be presented t this effect if requested). Or A natinal f any Eurpean Unin (EU) cuntry r the spuse, civil partner r child r grandchild r dependant parent r grandparent f an EU natinal, r f the EU natinal s spuse r civil partner, where the student has been rdinarily resident in the Eurpean Ecnmic Area (EEA) fr the three years preceding the relevant date. Or An EEA migrant wrker r the spuse, civil partner r child r dependant parent r grandparent f an EEA migrant wrker, r f the EEA migrant wrker s spuse r civil partner, where the student has been rdinarily resident in the EEA fr the three years preceding the relevant date. Or A refugee/direct family f a refugee (with papers prving yur status) Or An Asylum Seeker under the age f 19 3 Table f funding accrding t grss family incme The amunt f financial assistance a student may be awarded is based n the infrmatin in the table belw: Annual Grss Incme Incme less than 21,000 This includes all incme frm emplyment and all incme frm State Benefits, Tax Credits etc Incme 21,001 t 25,500 Incme 25,501 t 30,000 Incme ver 30,000 Bursary Awarded 100% 75% 50% Nil 3

5 4 Supprt Available: Years Categries f supprt are brken dwn int different age brackets. 4.1 The Newbury Cllege Bursary Fund Newbury Cllege is cmmitted t supprting and nt disadvantaging students frm husehlds with an incme belw 21,000 grss. (This will include all incme such as State Benefits, Tax Credits and incme frm emplyment). These students may apply fr a bursary f up t 800 frm the Bursary Fund. Applicatins fr this bursary will be assessed and evidence will be required t supprt the applicatin. Supprt is made in regular payments spread acrss the duratin f the curse. This will be subject t a mnthly review by the Admissins Manager t check attendance. Attendance belw 90% may result in nn payment f the bursary, all absence must be reprted t the Attendance Line fr every day f absence unless agreement has been made with the Admissins Manager. Fr curses lasting less than 30 weeks, the bursary will be pr-rata. Payments will nt be back-dated fr mre than 3 mnths. Curse Csts Materials essential fr the curse are prvided by the Cllege fr year lds and all fully funded students. Free Meal A free meal up t the value f 2.41 per day when at Cllege during term time will be available fr all students wh are in receipt f, r have parents wh are in receipt f, ne r mre f the fllwing benefits: incme Supprt incme-based Jbseekers Allwance incme-related Emplyment and Supprt Allwance (ESA) supprt under Part VI f the Immigratin and Asylum Act 1999 the guarantee element f the State Pensin Credit Child Tax Credit (prvided they are nt entitled t Wrking Tax Credit) and have an annual grss incme f n mre than 16,190, as assessed by her Majesty s Revenue and Custms Wrking Tax Credit run-n paid fr 4 weeks after yu stp qualifying fr Wrking Tax Credit Universal Credit 4

6 Transprt csts. The Cllege prvides a free bus service frm Thatcham t Newbury Cllege. There is als a free bus frm Newbury Train Statin t the Cllege (see attached timetable). Further transprt assistance is given t students beynd this rute where they are eligible. This will be a Cnnect Bus Pass r help with the cst f train travel, as mst apprpriate fr individual circumstances. Students may be required t prvide prf f purchase f travel each mnth. If the student des nt meet the attendance criteria f 90% assistance may be withdrawn. 4.2 Childcare fr year lds Students aged under 20 years at the start f their curse may be supprted by the Care t Learn Scheme. Applicatin frms are available frm the website: They cannt be supprted fr childcare csts frm the Bursary Funds. 4.3 Vulnerable Yung Persn s Guaranteed Bursary A bursary f 1,200 per academic year may be applied fr by the fllwing students aged years (aged under 19 years n 31 Aug 2017): Students in care aged Students wh are care leavers aged 16, 17 and 18 Students aged 16, 17 and 18 in receipt f incme supprt Students aged 16, 17 and 18 wh are in receipt f bth Disability Living Allwance and Emplyment Supprt Allwance r Persnal Independence Payments. Fr curses lasting less than 30 weeks, the bursary will be pr-rata. All eligible students applying fr this bursary will be assessed and evidence will be btained t supprt the applicatin. Supprt is made in regular payments spread acrss the duratin f the curse. Fr further infrmatin please see link belw Hardship Funds Where a student suffers exceptinal circumstances an applicatin may be made fr emergency supprt. Applicatins will be cnsidered n a case by case basis. The student may be interviewed t ascertain the mst apprpriate supprt and will be expected, where apprpriate, t engage with ther relevant supprt agencies t determine a sustainable utcme and engagement with learning. Applicatins fr emergency hardship are nt restricted t the beginning f the academic year but subject t availability. 5

7 5 Supprt Available: Years 5.1 Free Meal A free meal up t the value f 2.41 per day during term time and whilst at Cllege will be available fr all students wh have parents/guardians wh are in receipt f, ne r mre f the fllwing benefits: Incme Supprt incme-based Jbseekers Allwance incme-related Emplyment and Supprt Allwance (ESA) supprt under Part VI f the Immigratin and Asylum Act 1999 the guarantee element f the State Pensin Credit Child Tax Credit (prvided they are nt entitled t Wrking Tax Credit) and have an annual grss incme f n mre than 16,190, as assessed by her Majesty s Revenue and Custms Wrking Tax Credit run-n paid fr 4 weeks after yu stp qualifying fr Wrking Tax Credit Universal Credit 5.2 Transprt csts. The Cllege prvides a free bus service frm Thatcham t Newbury Cllege. There is als a free bus frm Newbury Train Statin t the Cllege (see attached timetable). Further transprt assistance is given t students beynd this rute. This will be a Cnnect Bus Pass r help with the cst f train travel, as mst apprpriate fr individual circumstances. Students may be required t prvide prf f purchase f travel each mnth. 6

8 6 Supprt Available: 19+ years 6.1 The Newbury Cllege Bursary Fund Transprt 19+ students may apply fr grants t aid transprt csts t and frm their place f study. In the first instance this will be by bus r train via public transprt rutes althugh exceptinally a payment twards the cst f fuel may be paid where this aids a 19+ s rute t educatin and can be deemed t remve a barrier t educatin. Students may be required t prvide prf f purchase f travel each mnth. A student cannt be supprted with travel csts if they are already receiving travel r expenses thrugh anther agency. Transprt rutes may encmpass childcare prviders r schls where this is deemed practical and remves a barrier t participatin. 6.2 Childcare fr 20+ year lds The Bursary meets the separate needs f all students wh are primary carers f a dependent child under 15 years (16 years fr children with disabilities) and wh satisfy general eligibility fr Bursary funds. Pririty is given t Lne Parents and their unwaged dependants. Students ver 19 may be supprted by the Bursary fr child care csts up t a maximum f 160 per week per child in line with Care t Learn. Any fees exceeding 160 per week fr the academic year will need t be met by the student. The fees are fr term time educatin and nt thrugh hlidays. This supprt may be withdrawn if the student des nt meet the attendance criteria f 90%. The maximum amunt t be paid fr childcare per student will be 6000 per annum. The fllwing must be fllwed by the student wh is applying fr supprt with childcare csts 1. They use an OFSTED registered prvider. Infrmal childcare (eg, prvided by a relative) cannt be included, even if charged fr. If a family member is a registered child minder, then their fees can be paid 2. They apply and use all free childcare prvisin (Early Years Fund fr 2 & 4 year lds and 2 year lds where applicable) t prvide childcare fr their timetabled curse cntent in the first instance 3. They maximise the use f Wrking Tax Credit - Childcare element by the student r the ther parent t fund additinal hurs ver the free prvisin (see 2 abve) befre receiving the bursary childcare element 4. They d nt have a partner, wh is nt seeking wrk, wh is able t prvide childcare Evidence will be required f the abve and f a student s status and incme as an individual r jint where living with a spuse r partner t supprt an applicatin fr childcare supprt. Childcare funding will nly be prvided t supprt a student s timetable whilst they are attending regularly. Any csts incurred beynd these hurs will be the respnsibility f the student. 7

9 If the student des nt meet satisfactry levels f attendance then childcare payments may be withdrawn and be the respnsibility f the student. The Cllege will cnfirm details with the childcare prvider and request a mnthly invice. The Cllege will pay the childcare prvider direct n a mnthly basis subject t attendance checks. The Cllege may supprt fees t hld a place ver Christmas and Easter breaks and half-terms in rder t facilitate cntinuity f educatin fr bth the student and child/ren. Respnsibility fr a child s welfare and safety lies whlly with the student and nt with Newbury Cllege. Payments are made fr childcare with a registered child minder r OFSTED registered after schl club/nursery as arranged by the student t supprt their timetable. 6.3 Free Meal A free meal up t the value f 2.41 during term time will be available fr students aged between wh are subject t a Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA) r Educatin Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan) and als meet the eligibility criteria as detailed n Page Fees & Exams Fr full fee remissin details see - Newbury Cllege Fee Guidance Ntes In exceptinal circumstances and at the discretin f the Cllege a student may fall utside f the regular fee remissin categries fr full funding. This may ccur where the student: is unable t claim state benefits, JSA (WRAG) r ESA is ver the free entitlement age threshlds has level 2 r 3 which is classified as full yet unable t undertake the suitable prgressin rute due t funding, awarding bdy r age changes, particularly as a rute t Higher Educatin r emplyment was previusly entitled t fee remissin but their circumstances have changed and they wish t cmplete the natural next stage f that qualificatin at that level. In these situatins a student may apply fr supprt with fees, exam csts and ther accreditatin csts linked t their curse. Fee remissin may be granted n a case by case basis. The fee grant may cver all f the fees OR be used t cver the cst elements (eg, exams, registratin fees r prfessinal membership fees) The student MUST demnstrate hw the funding will benefit their ability t access educatin, remain engaged in the learning setting and achieve the desired utcme. This fund is limited and pririty will be given t previusly enrlled students wh wuld be disadvantaged by being unable t cntinue a prgramme f study. Students are nt able t claim fr the cst f exam re-sits. 6.5 Curse Csts Materials essential fr the curse are prvided by the Cllege fr fully funded students, with the exceptin f educatinal visits and ther enrichment activities. 8

10 6.6 Hardship Funds Where a student suffers exceptinal circumstances an applicatin may be made fr emergency supprt. Applicatins will be cnsidered n a case by case basis. The student may be interviewed t ascertain the mst apprpriate supprt and will be expected, where apprpriate, t engage with ther relevant supprt agencies t determine a sustainable utcme and engagement with learning. Applicatins fr emergency hardship are nt restricted t the beginning f the academic year. 7.0 Miscellaneus Applicatins - All Ages Where a student feels they have a financial barrier t learning nt utlined abve they may make an applicatin t the fund. Funds will nly be granted where there is a clear need and a barrier t learning is determined. These will be dealt with n a case by case basis In particular cases a student may have an interview with the Admissins Manager t draw up a payment plan based n the individual student s needs and circumstances. All general grants are subject t eligibility criteria set ut within gvernment guidelines fr Bursary. Evidence will be required t supprt applicatins demnstrating that the student r student husehld is receiving benefits. Relevant supprting dcumentatin required is detailed in the applicatin frm. 8.0 Disbursement f Funds a. Bursary Funds are intended t prvide apprpriate financial supprt fr students in individual cases where need and hardship is established. b. The student must be an enrlled student at Newbury Cllege. c. Supprt is prvided by BACS transfer t the student. In the case f childcare it may be paid by BACS t the childcare prvider directly. Cash payments may nly be made t students under exceptinal circumstances. d. The Fund will take int accunt the applicant s effrts t reduce expenditure by explring ther surces f supprt. Fr example: - Mandatry r discretinary awards - Scial Security benefits - Payments thrugh Career and Prfessinal Develpment Lans and similar schemes Applicatins may be submitted at any time during the year and acknwledgement f receipt will be made in writing within 14 wrking days. The applicatin will be prcessed as quickly as pssible but cannt be prcessed unless all supprting evidence is supplied. 9.0 Students n Benefits Students supprted by state incme-related benefits (JSA, Universal Credit, Incme Supprt, Husing Benefit etc) and wh are applying fr Bursary Funds must take respnsibility fr pssible risks f benefit deductins with their award. Students may receive payment fr the fllwing, withut deductin frm their benefits: Exam fees Transprt Bks and equipment Payment fr registratin fees, fees fr membership f prfessinal bdies, childcare, field trips may be deducted frm benefits and shuld therefre be paid t a third party, nt the student. A student may need t declare grants made frm this fund t the relevant gvernment bdy. 9

11 10 Applicatin Prcess Applicatin frms fr all categries and guidelines are available frm Infrmatin Services. The Cllege ffers help and advice cncerning the applicatin prcess and frm filling via Infrmatin Services. If yu wuld like any f the dcuments in an alternative frmat, please cntact Infrmatin Services. All the sectins f the frm must be cmpleted, all dcumentary evidence (phtcpies) must be attached as requested and the frm sent t the Admissins Manager. D nt send riginal dcumentatin as the Cllege cannt accept respnsibility fr them and are unable t return by recrded delivery. Applicatins are dealt with n a first cme first served basis and will be prcessed as quickly as pssible. The applicant will be infrmed in writing f the decisin. Failure t prvide all the required evidence will result in an applicatin being delayed and may result in an award nt being made. 11 Assessment Assessment will be made using the evidence supplied by the student and supprted by relevant dcumentatin. Any changes t a student s circumstances MUST be declared t the Cllege and a re-assessment may be carried ut. (See Sectin 15 Changes in Circumstances) Whilst students may fulfil the eligibility cnditins t apply fr Bursary Funds, decisins (psitive r therwise) are made accrding t individual need. Payments are made subject t minimum 90% attendance (r authrised absence), gd behaviur and cmmitment t the curse. Pr attendance and behaviur will result in payments being stpped. Students being supprted fr childcare will need t ensure a 90% attendance acrss all elements f their curse. Lw attendance will result in the student being at risk f lsing childcare prvisin and being liable fr the full csts. Mnthly checks will be made n attendance befre payments t prviders are authrised. All absence must be reprted t the attendance line. 12 Appeals and Cmplaints There is a frmal appeals prcedure fr unsuccessful applicants. Please see Appeals Prcedure and Cmplaints Plicy fr details. Any cmplaints r queries relating t a bursary applicatin must be submitted in writing befre the end f the current academic year in which the applicatin has been made. Cmplaints r queries relating t applicatins frm previus years cannt be dealt with after this date. 13 Payments Awards may be calculated at a weekly r mnthly rate Payments are made in mnthly instalments by BACS. Instalment payments are cnditinal upn satisfactry attendance (minimum 90% r authrised absence) and prgress as set ut in the Attendance and Punctuality Plicy and Prcedure. This minimises lsses when students leave curses, enabling funds t be reallcated. Payments will nly be made t a third party, fr example t a parent/guardian/carer, in exceptinal circumstances. The Bursary Fund is limited and if it becmes exhausted and further students seek supprt, then a waiting list scheme will cme int peratin Bursary Funds are allcated n a first cme, first served basis. 10

12 14 Reductin r cancellatin f payments The level f supprt will require re-assessment n a termly basis and pssible withdrawal f funds if: the student withdraws early frm a curse tutr references and attendance reprts are unsatisfactry the student is suspended r excluded frm Cllege as a result f disciplinary actin the student is absent frm Cllege fr any reasn fr mre than 3 weeks the student has been detained by a curt rder the student is fund t have given incmplete/false infrmatin regarding persnal circumstances Any withdrawal f supprt will be ntified in writing, giving guidance fr appealing against the decisin. The Cllege may require repayment f any amunt verpaid fr any reasn. 15 Change in circumstances Any student in receipt f financial supprt frm the Bursary Funds must immediately infrm the Admissins Manager f any: Please Nte change in permanent address change in wn r dependant s incme during the curse reductin r increase in parental incme intentin t change curse r withdraw temprarily r permanently significant perids f illness r absence All awards are made at the discretin f the Infrmatin Services Team, subject t appeal abve. They are based n ur level f funding, individual circumstances and Gvernment plicies and advice. Gvernment guidelines can change thrughut the academic year. Any relevant cllege prcedures will be altered accrdingly and culd affect yur eligibility / award at a later date. A cpy f the Cllege plicies will becme available nline. Assciated Plicies Attendance and Punctuality Plicy and Prcedure available frm Infrmatin Services. Crrect at time f printing Date: May 2009 Review dates: April 2010/June 2011/March 2012/ April 2012 (minr amendment) August 2013, April 2014, July 2014, June 2015, April 2016, June 2016, April 17 Next review: April 2018 W\SM\SP\P&P\LSI\DLSFUNDSPOLICY\