Student finance

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY AND PROCEDURES

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY

1. Introduction
The College administers a Bursary Fund for students aged 16-19. Bursaries are intended to support those young people who face the greatest barriers to continuing in education or training post-16.
Where individual applications for transport or bursary awards are made they will be assessed using a range of factors to determine the level of support given. These factors will include the student’s financial circumstances; whether they have applied/are eligible/are in receipt of an EMA ; other grants which are available; the level of grant they are in receipt of and their achievement in meeting the goals and conditions set out in their learning agreement. Individual applications are assessed by  the Local Authority according to the Free Schools Meal criteria. Any appeals will be made to the Assistant  Principal Students and Learning.

2. Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs)
A student may be entitled to an EMA 2011-12 depending on the parents/guardians income. If the student qualifies the EMA is paid directly into the student’s bank account and is to help with study and transport costs.

3.  Transport Support
First Bus and Uni link Bus Pass
Full time students aged between 16 and 19 if eligible for a Bursary Award qualify for a free bus pass for use on First buses in Southampton*.  For those who do not qualify, the same pass can be purchased for the bargain price of just £100 per term.  A ticket for £150 is also available for students travelling from Hampshire.

Uni-Link Buses
The college has arranged for discounted travel on all the Uni-link services. This includes the U9 service which comes from the Bitterne area, via the main interchange at University Road and onto the college.

King Edward VI School (KES)
The college has arranged for 40% discounted travel on the KES buses. To receive the discounted travel students must be classified as full time ‘home students’.
Other Transport Support

Isle of Wight students
The college has arranged to support the commuting costs of these students and has organised for a free minibus shuttle from the Red Jet terminal.

4. Childcare
Childcare assistance is available through the Care to Learn scheme.


FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROCEDURES

This document sets out 16-19 bursary guidance, eligibility, administration, application and the appeals process.

Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Taunton’s College 16-19 Bursary a student must be under 19 years of age on 31 August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study. Where a student turns 19 during their academic year of study they can be supported to the end of the academic year in which they turn 19 or to the end of their programme of study, whichever is sooner.

Young people must satisfy the residency criteria in the document YPLA Funding Guidance 2011-2012: Funding Regulations.
Bursaries cannot be paid to:

  • Young people on HE courses, with some exceptions
  • Young people on waged apprenticeships
  • Young people in prison or a young offender institution or who have been released on temporary licence, for example day release

Further details can be found in the Bursary Guidance Document

To apply for a Taunton’s College Bursary, eligible students must meet the following criteria:-

£1200 bursary

  • Young people in or leaving care
  • Young people in receipt of income support in their own right
  • A disabled young person in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance

Up to £400 bursary - Parent or Guardian is in receipt of the following (these are the criteria  for assessment for Free School Meals.)

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
  • Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

How are bursary awards granted?

  • Provision of discounted bus travel cards
  • Provision of financial support paid half termly directly into the student’s bank account at the beginning of each term.
  • Provision of free meals at college (voucher system)

How does a student apply for a bursary?

  • Complete the financial assistance application form
  • Submit form and provide proof of entitlement at Student Services

What happens next?

  • The application and supporting evidence will be assessed and student will be notified of the decision.
  • Successful applications will be recorded by the Financial Assistance Administrator
  • If an application is unsuccessful and the student believes that they meet the criteria they can appeal against the decision

What a student should do if they wish to appeal against the award decision

  • To make an appeal the student should complete an appeal form
  • The appeal form will be reviewed by the Assistant Principal
  • The student will be notified by letter of the outcome within 5 working days of receipt

EMA - transition arrangement

All students who received EMA from 2009/10 will continue to receive the same payments for attendance at college or training until the end of the 2011/12 academic year.

All students who received the maximum weekly EMA payment of £30 in 2010/11 will be eligible for £20 for each week they are in education or training, until the end of the 2011/12 academic year.

Students who received £20 or £10 since 2010/11 will not receive EMA.

Students in receipt of EMA may still apply for bursary awards but the amount of EMA they receive will be taken into account and deducted from any award made.

Further details can be found in the Bursary Guidance Document

Useful Information

16-19 Bursary Frequently Asked Questions

Questions & Answers for Schools, Academies, Colleges, Training Providers and Local Authorities

Diary Dates

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