Non-College Funds
These funds are assessed and awarded under the rules of the awarding body.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Wales
Depending on your household income you may be able to get £60 a fortnight for attending college and all your lessons. You could get EMA if:
- You live in Wales
- You are aged between 16 and 18 on 31/8/13.
- You meet the residence and nationality rules
- You attend an eligible course which involves at least 12 hours of guided learning per week
For more information and to download an application form visit www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or ring 0845 602 8845. A limited supply of application forms are also available from Student Services.
Assembly Learning Grant Further Education (ALG FE)– Wales
ALG FE is a payment of up to £1,500 to help with the cost of further education. Payments are made each term and are subject to attendance. You may be eligible for ALG FE if:
- You are aged 19 or over on or before the 1/09/2013
- You live in Wales
- Your household income is £18,370 or less
- You meet the residence and nationality rules and you are studying at least 275 hours per year
For more information and to download an application form visit www.studentfinancewales.co.ukor ring 0845 602 8845. A limited supply of application forms are also available from Student Services
Care to learn
The aim of Care to Learn is to give financial support to teenage mothers and fathers who want to continue their education and need help with childcare costs. You can claim this award if you live in England and are under 20 at the start of your course. You must use a registered childcare provider. You may also be able to claim travel expenses to and from your childcare provider
For more information and an application form please call the helpline number on 0800 121 8989 or visit the website at: www.gov.uk/care-to-learn
Professional and Career Development loans
This is a bank loan that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning. The Government will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards. The loan can be used to pay for course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support. This is a commercial loan product and should only be considered an option once all other student funding options have been investigated.
To find out more information and to request and application pack please call 0800 100 900 or log onto www.gov.uk/career-development-loans
Charitable trusts
You may also be able to source further funding through local and national charitable trusts and organisations. Please call into Student Services for further information or call Emma Lloyd on 01691 688029
Benefits
If you would like information about what benefits might be entitled to as a student then please visit www.gov.uk or call into your local Jobcentre Plus
Advanced Learning Loans
From September 2013 loans will be available for learners aged 24 and above studying at Level 3 and above.
Loans will not be means tested (or subject to credit checks) and any individual who meets the criteria below will be able to apply for a loan irrespective of their current employment status.
If your loan is for an Access to Higher Education programme and you progress and complete higher education study, you will not have to repay your FE Loan.
Advanced loans will give learners access to financial support for tuition costs similar to that which is available in higher education. This means rather than an individual having to pay for their course upfront they have the option of accessing a loan, from the Student Loans Company, that they will only start to repay once they have left the course and are earning over £21,000.
Loans will support the Apprenticeships programme. Employers will be given support from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) to help employees aged 24+ wishing to undertake an Advanced or Higher Apprenticeship using a loan. Employers can make individual agreements with their employees about loan repayment.
Who is eligible for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan?
Individuals who are:
- aged 24 or over at the start of their course;
- resident in the UK;
- have not previously had a loan to do the same qualification type and level of qualification.
Which qualifications and Apprenticeship frameworks are eligible for Loan funding?
- a number of A levels not greater than three;
- QAA Access to HE course;
- QCF Level 3 Certificate;
- QCF Level 3 Diploma;
- QCF Level 4 Certificate;
- QCF Level 4 Diploma;
- Advanced Apprenticeship Framework;
- Higher Apprenticeship Framework.
For more information CLICK HERE
College Funds
Bursary Fund (for students under 19)
This scheme is made up of two parts:
- Vulnerable Bursary – Those most in need will be eligible for a bursary of £1,200 a year. This includes young people in care, care leavers, young people receiving income support, and disabled young people receiving both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance
- Discretionary Bursary – Other students who need financial support to help them to stay in education or training may also be able to claim a bursary to help with the cost of transport, meals at college and essential course related expenses.
For a 2013/14 application form, CLICK HERE
Discretionary Learner Support Fund (for students over 19)
PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE 24 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER STUDYING FOR A LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO THIS FUND
Priority is given to students who face financial hardship. This fund can be used to help with:
- Childcare costs (if you are not eligible for Care to Learn)
- Essential course-related equipment, materials, protective clothing, field trips and exam fees
- Transport to and from college
For A 2013/14 application form, CLICK HERE
24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary Fund
This fund is aimed at helping students who are being funded through the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan. Priority is given to students who face financial hardship. This fund can be used to help with:
- Childcare costs only
Please note that funds for this Bursary are very limited.
For a 2013/14 application form, CLICK HERE
Residential Bursaries
This bursary can help with accommodation costs for staying at our Halls of Residence at the Walford Campus. Please note that:
- Priority is given to land based students who are unable to access public transport to the college and who’s travelling time would exceed more than 3 hours daily
- This is a means tested bursary so not everyone who applies will be successful
- We also allocate our funds on a first come first served basis so please apply as early as possible to secure your funding
- If you are not eligible for a bursary the cost of an en-suite room for 2013-14 is £3,240 pa and a non en-suite room is £2,556 pa.
For further information regarding the Residential Bursary please contact Student Services on 01691 688029 or the Senior Warden on 01939 262126
All of the above college funds (excluding the Vulnerable Bursary) are means tested, so not every application will be successful. Application forms can also be obtained from Student Services and Reception.
We allocate our funds on a first come first served basis so please apply as early as possible to secure your funding. No funding will be given until you start your course and then will only be paid on the basis of satisfactory attendance, progress and behaviour.
USEFUL WEBSITES/PHONE NUMBERS
Direct.Gov
National Debtline 0800 8084000
Money Saving Ideas
Citizens Advice (CAB)
Advice on Housing & Council Tax Benefits for Shropshire Students
Housing Benefit: 0345 678 9001
Council Tax: 0345 678 9002
General Enquiries – 0345 678 9000
Advice on Housing & Council Tax Benefits for Powys Students
Council Tax – 01597 827 462
Housing Benefit –01597 827 462
General Enquiries – 0845 602 7030 or 01597 827 460
Advice on Housing & Council Tax Benefits for Wrexham Students
Housing Benefit: 01978 292033
Council Tax Benefit: 01978 292031
General Enquiries: 01978 292000