DISCRETIONARY AND CHILDCARE FUNDS

DISCRETIONARY AND CHILDCARE FUNDS Discretionary and Childcare Funds are funds for students in financial difficulty. Grants made to students from these funds are non-repayable and are in addition to any other forms of student support. Short term emergency loans may also be available. Nursing/midwifery students, EU (non home-student status) and International students are not eligible to apply to the discretionary or childcare funds and may apply to the Nightingale or other funds. If you do not meet the criteria below please see website www.student-support.stir.ac.uk for other possible sources of funding. Eligibility You can fill in this form to apply for a grant from the DISCRETIONARY FUND if >> you are a full or part-time undergraduate student, full-time post graduate student including PGCE, PGDE student or part-time taught postgraduate student and you are classed as a home student and >> have applied for funding, where available, from the funding authorities of Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland and >> have taken out full entitlement to include, where relevant, parents, spouse or partner being assessed. You can fill in this form to apply for a grant from the CHILDCARE FUND if >> you are a full time undergraduate or PGCE/PGDipCE student and >> are classed as a home student which means that you are eligible to apply for funding where available from the funding authorities of Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland and > > you have taken out full entitlement of available support and > > you are eligible for tuition fee support and > > have formal, registered childcare in Scotland If your child care is informal or you are a part-time or PG student, it may still be possible to be awarded funding from the discretionary fund. Please explain this in your personal circumstance letter. Six Easy Steps to Successful Completion of Your Application 1. Check your eligibility. 2. Consider your own and your partner s income and expenditure. 3. Read and complete the application form. If you have a disability and require assistance please speak with one of our advisers. Please contact us if you require an alternative format. 4. Gather together photocopies of the documents required and tick the boxes on pages 4 & 5 to show that you have submitted them. You can also use the checklist on page 7. For samples see webpage: www.student-support.stir.ac.uk/advice/finance/hardship/gen-hardship.php 5. If you are applying for childcare funding, ask your childcare provider to complete the registered childcare provider s form on page 8 and submit with this application. 6. Sign the form and submit, in person, to Student Development and Support Services reception, room 4Y4, Cottrell. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MONDAY, 03 MAY, 2010. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED DETAILS OR DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED 1

Frequently Asked questions Q. What happens if my application is incomplete? A. You will be e-mailed, to your University account, requesting the specific evidence you have omitted. If an adviser needs to discuss your application with you, you will be emailed and asked to attend their drop in session. The four week assessment period will begin from the date we have ALL the required documentation. If we do not hear from you within 30 days of this request we will make a nil decision. Q. How long will it take to process my application? A. When we have a fully completed application, with all the photocopied documentation requested on pages 4 and 5, we will make a decision within four weeks (but will endeavour to be quicker). You will be informed of the outcome of your application by letter and any award made will be paid into your account within 14-21 days after you receive confirmation of your award. Q. How many applications can I make? A. One application per academic year. If your circumstance changes, please send us a detailed letter, asking us to review your application. Q. How will I be paid? A. After we make a decision, if an award is made, the finance department will release payment to your designated bank account. This takes between 14/21 days. Q. What can I do if I want to appeal against the decision or make a complaint? A. You can appeal any decision by writing to the Senior Adviser (Advice and Development Service) with details of your grounds for appeal. Alternatively, if your circumstances have changed, please submit a letter detailing the changes together with any related documents for re-assessment. There is a separate Complaints procedure if you wish to make a complaint or comment regarding the service you receive. Please contact student.advice@stir.ac.uk for details or call 01786 467080. Q. What happens if a fraudulent claim is made? A. Misleading, false statements made or any false documents submitted will be liable to disciplinary proceedings under Ordinance 2. Q. Why is there nowhere on the Discretionary Fund application form for me to note how much I spend on food, personal items and clothing? A. A standard amount is added to the calculation for each student s living expenses (and for each member of their family where appropriate). In 2008-9 this was 50 per week for food, and general household expenses. If there is specific additional outlay e.g. medical reasons why higher costs are necessitated, this should be noted in the space provided on the form and will be given due consideration. Q. My mobile phone bill/gas bill/rent etc. is high, will this be taken into consideration? A. Many standard outgoings are capped (this means that only up to a maximum amount is allowed). If you have higher requirements, tell us why on the form, this will be considered and may be taken into account. Q. I only get a small Student Loan as my letter of award states my parents should pay toward my expenses (parental contribution). They have high outgoings and are not in a position to help me how is this viewed for Discretionary Fund purposes? A. The Fund regulations state that if parental support is not forthcoming, it must still be viewed as though the student had received the full parental contribution. 2

Official Use only Reference No: Date Submitted: Funding Code: Date Completed: Personal Details Name:... Registration Number:... Address: (term time)...... Post Code:... Address: (out with term time)...... Post Code:... Telephone Number:... Mobile Number:... Your University Email Address:... Age: Payment Details Please provide details of the bank account you wish any award to be paid into and a copy of your most recent bank statement with the account number and sort code clearly visible. Name of Account Holder:... Name and Address of Bank:... Account Number: Sort Code: Course Details (Please tick all applicable boxes) Full time Part time Undergraduate Post Graduate PGCE/PGDip Is this a repeat year?: Yes No Is this your final year?: Yes No Name of Course:... Year of Study:... Where does your funding come from: (Please tick) Scotland England N Ireland Wales Other:. Which fund/s are you applying for: (Please Tick) Discretionary Fund Childcare Fund 3

Is this your first discretionary/childcare application in 2009/10? Yes No Do you have a partner? Yes No Ages of any children dependant on you:... Please detail any other dependants:... Were you previously living in care? Yes No Income Please give details of your income for your academic year (normally September to end of May). Please ensure you are providing us with all the necessary back up information where it states EVIDENCE REQUIRED and tick the appropriate tick box below. FOR EXAMPLES OF THE DOCUMENTS WE REQUIRE GO TO www.student-support.stir.ac.uk/advice/finance/hardship/gen-hardship.php Evidence Required Evidence Submitted ( tick box) Amount Per Academic Year Official Use only Student Loan Young persons bursary Parental contribution Other bursary/grant SAAS award letter (both sides) or student finance England and Wales, N.I. library board notification or award letter and SLC payment schedule Other loan/funding body (e.g. Career Development Loan) CDL agreement, trust fund letter Lone Parent Grant SAAS award letter Lone Parent Childcare Grant SAAS award letter TOTAL Amount Per Month Wages (self) 2 recent wage slips Wages (partner) 2 recent wage slips Working Family Tax Credit Child Tax Credit 8 page working/child tax credit award letter Child Benefit Bank statement or C.B. payment letter Child maintenance/support Agency payments Bank statment or other Other state benefits Relevant evidence Other payments received/income from rent/lettings (please specify) Relevant evidence TOTAL 4

Expenditure When considering your application, we will automatically calculate figures for food/personal items, clothing, TV licence and study costs for your household. Please ensure you are providing us with all the necessary back up information where it states EVIDENCE REQUIRED, and as shown on the checklist on page 7, and tick the appropriate tick box below. HOUSEHOLD Rent/Mortgage Evidence Required Amount Per Month Official Use only Tenancy/lender agreement Evidence Submitted ( tick box) Fuel (gas/electricity) Telephone (incl. internet) Landline: Mobile (s): Council Tax TRAVEL To and from University To and from Placement (How many weeks?) Partners Travel costs to work Other Travel costs e.g. shopping, work, family As appropriate C.T. statement/ letter disregard this question if you can apply for this elsewhere eg SAAS, academic dept. If you have a car please tell us why your car is essential in your personal circumstance letter OTHER EXPENDITURE Course Fees (if self funded) Health care/glasses/dental costs/special diets (specify) Child support/maintenance Children s Activities (specify) Gym Membership Insurances e.g. home, building, pet Do not include Car insurance ANY OTHER REGULAR PAYMENTS e.g. debt, credit cards, loans Invoice Bank statement or other Please specify and evidence Please specify and evidence as appropriate CHILDCARE Weekly costs Additional days/weeks for in-service/school holidays etc. Travel costs to and from childcare provider Provider s Invoice AND completed form on page 8 Please provide any additional info in your personal circumstance letter TOTAL 5

Personal Circumstances: Please let us know about your present personal circumstance and the reasons for your application. This should be typed and attached to the form. You can also speak to an adviser in person. You may wish to include details of: >> any unexpected personal or family circumstances >> pregnancy/babies up to 1 year >> personal or family health, mental health issues or disabilities >> commercial credit unavailable due to previous financial difficulties Are you a 3rd or 4th year student disadvantaged because of changes to SAAS funding assessments from 08/09? Yes No If yes and you have been adversely affected please provide documentation i.e. 07/08 SAAS awards letter to accompany your application Supporting Information We are asked to provide statistics by SAAS. The Information does not affect your application and is used to give an indication of the most difficult costs to meet for students. Please give an indication of your highest priority should you receive an award. Please Mark 1 for your highest priority and 2 for your next highest priority. Books/Study Costs Travel Expenses Disability Costs Debts Accommodation (incl. utilities) Child Care Other (please specify)... Declaration Please read the declaration carefully before you sign and date it. >> I am a fully registered student. >> I declare that the information given on this form is true and accurate >> I accept that I am liable to disciplinary proceedings under Ordinance 2 for any false statements made or any false document submitted >> I will inform the Advice and Development service, in writing, immediately of any changes to the information given >> I authorise the University to make such enquiries, as it shall deem necessary, to verify the accuracy of information submitted >> I understand all documents submitted in support of this application will be retained with my application form for audit purposes Signed:... Date:... 6

Checklist Before you hand in this form, please read the questions below >> Have you checked your eligibility on page 1? >> Have you read the frequently asked questions on P2? >> Do we have your correct personal and bank account details? >> Have you provided photocopies of all the supporting documentation required? >> Have you included your personal circumstance letter? >> Have you signed and dated the declaration? Please note all PART TIME students should also include a weekly timetable PHOTOCOPIES OF THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE INCLUDED: Income (please use this checklist to ensure you have included photocopies of all relevant documentation) >> Student Awards Agency Award Letter (both sides) or >> Student Finance England/Wales, Northern Ireland Library Board Notification of Award (this must show parents or partner (if applicable) have been assessed or >> Other funding body/sponsor/trust fund letter of award or >> Career Development Loan notification PLUS >> Student Loan Company Payment Schedule Letter or >> Bank statement (to cover at least two months) showing a student loans company payment >> Last 2 personal wage slips (self and partner s) >> 8 page Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit Award letter >> Child Benefit Payments (letter or bank statements) >> Child Maintenance/Support Agency payments >> Other state benefits >> Other payments received Expenditure (please tick) >> Accommodation/mortgage charges tenancy or lender agreement >> Council Tax charges >> If applying for childcare, completed Registered Childcare Provider s form on last page and provider s invoice >> Proof of outstanding debts or loans to include minimum payments >> Most recent bank statements for ALL bank accounts held >> Your personal circumstances letter IMPORTANT! We will not process your form without PHOTOCOPIES of required documentation. Please do not send us originals as we are unable to return these. 7

OFFICIAL USE ONLY BOX Ref No. Childcare Application 2009/2010 A separate sheet needs to be completed for each child Please give this page (or a copy) to your registered childcare provider to complete. You must submit this page with your discretionary and childcare funds form. Details of Registered Childcare Provider: Name and address of Childcare Provider......... Telephone Number... Name of staff contact... Provider s Registration Number... Details of Childcare: Name of Child... Name of Parent/Guardian... Child Care cost for Academic Year, 15 September until 31 May (Please note here if you will complete your course before this) How many weeks childcare required during above period:... Cost per hour/session:..... Day Number of am hours Number of pm hours Total cost per day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Total Other costs: e.g. food, trips, extra days, e.g. in-service days etc:... Any other relevant information: 8 Childcare Provider s signature To the best of my knowledge the information above is correct Name (Block Capitals)..... Signature.... Date... Official stamp (if possible) Applicant s declaration and signature Please read the declaration and sign and date it below. I will notify the University if the child is withdrawn from child care or there is a significant change in hours provided. I understand that failure to do so will result in any child care award being withdrawn. Name (Block Capitals)... Signed (student).... Student Registration No... Date.... Telephone: 01786 467080 email: studentadvice.money@stir.ac.uk