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Learner Support Funds
Academic Year
2014/2015
Serving
South & West Durham
19+ Discretionary Learner Support Funds (DLSF)
What Help Can I Get?
Enrolling on a course can be expensive. Before you start your course you will need to
consider how you will afford some of the following:
• Tuition fee costs
• Travel costs to and from the College
• The costs of course related items such as uniform, special equipment and materials
• The costs of childcare
• Meeting your day-to-day costs of living.
Finance is an important factor when deciding to come to College. However, you don’t have
to let a lack of money prevent you from attending your chosen course here at Bishop
Auckland College. There are various funds which may be able to help you with some of the
costs, especially if you have a low income or are entitled to means tested state benefits.
What help is available?
There are two types of funds in place to help students:
Funds that are managed and awarded by national agencies:
• Care to Learn (C-2-L)
Funds that are managed by the College:
• Course Fee concessions
• 19+ Discretionary Learner Support funds (DLSF) for students, including childcare support
2 01752 305381 [email protected] www.cityplym.ac.uk
Course Fee Remissions
Getting help with tuition fees
To enrol on a course you will usually have to pay tuition fees. However, you may be eligible
to receive your course for free depending upon your age, residency in England and any
benefits you may be receiving. Fee remission usually applies to residents of England, aged
19, in the following circumstances:
• It’s your first full Level 2 qualification (if aged 19 to 23)
• It’s your first full Level 3 qualification (if aged 19 to 23)
• The course is a Skills for Life course i.e. adult literacy and numeracy, and functional skills in
literacy and numeracy or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• You want a Level 2 qualification, but are required first to obtain an Entry/Level
1 qualification (if aged 19 to 23 - certain other criteria apply)
• You are undertaking your first full Level 3 qualification after leaving the British Armed
Forces within the last ten years having completed four or more years of service or having
been medically discharged, due to an injury in active service, after completing basic training
(this includes students aged 24 and over)
• You are unemployed and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), Employment
Support Allowance (ESA) - work related activity group only, or Universal Credit (and
mandated to undertake skills training)
• You are unemployed and in receipt of a means tested state benefit (other than JSA, ESA
(WRAG) or Universal Credit) and want to enter employment and need skills training to do so
or help to remove a barrier to employment
Please note that if you are aged 24 and over (at the start date of your course) and
undertaking a Level 3 or 4 course then there will be no fee remission available. However, if
the course is eligible for the new Advanced Learning Loan, you can apply for a loan to cover
your course fees and in some instances course equipment.
If you do have to pay tuition fees, the College offers a payment instalment plan-subject to a
20% deposit and balance of fees spread over 3-9 equal monthly instalments (subject to
course cost and length)
What is DLSF 19+?
This fund provides financial or ‘in-kind’ help to eligible students aged 19+ (as of 31 August
2014), with a number of course related costs. These funds are aimed at those most in need.
If you have taken out the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan please refer to the Funding your
Future Advanced Learning Loan & Bursary fund booklet.
This fund is cash limited and operated on a first-come, first-served basis for September
and January applicants.
Tuition fee support
This is awarded to students who are not eligible for fee remission and have to pay their own
course fees. Students eligible for this support will need to fulfil the general criteria of DLSF.
This support will pay 100% of the course fee. There are only limited funds available.
You will not be able to receive this support if you are receiving the 24+ Advanced Learning
Loan, or if you are aged 24 and over and undertaking a Level 3 or 4 course. To be eligible for
this support your household income for tax year 2013-2014 must be £25,000 or less.
Household income includes tax credits, benefits, earnings and any other income received by
the adults in your household.
Uniform and kit costs (essential course items)
Support is available to help students pay for compulsory course related materials.
Students can apply for a one-off payment to help with these costs or the College will order
the items on your behalf. The amount you will be awarded is dependent on your course.
Please note you may need to purchase items before you start the course and the amount of
the grant is not guaranteed to pay these costs in full. Reimbursements will only be made
subject to proof of purchase. Not all students will be eligible for this support. To be eligible
for this support your household income for tax year 2013-2014 must be £25,000 or less.
Household income includes tax credits, benefits, earnings and any other income received by
the adults in your household.
Free meals
This award provides the learner with access to a £3 daily meal allowance for the days you
are in College. It can be accessed at both campuses from the eateries only (not the campus
shops). You must present your College ID card at the checkout. This support is only available
to learners attending a full-time course. To be eligible for this support your household
income for tax year 2013-2014 must be £16,190 or less. Household income includes tax
credits, benefits, earnings and any other income received by the adults in your household. If
you are undertaking a work placement as part of your course and have been approved for
free meals we will reimburse your meal costs up to the value of £3 per day on provision of
valid receipts.
Travel costs
Students can access the College’s bus services which operate throughout the county upon
application. Students living outside the bus timetabled areas can apply for funding to
support mileage costs or public transport costs where they live at least 3 miles from the
College campus. You should speak to the Student Funding and Transport Officer as
conditions do apply.
 Approved mileage costs will be paid at a rate of 13p per mile
 Approved public transport costs will be reimbursed
Both are subject to attendance and the receipt of a valid Travel Claim form. This must be
accompanied with receipts/tickets, where the claim is for use of public transport. Travel
Claim forms can be obtained from Client Services. To be eligible for this support your
household income for tax year 2013-2014 must be £25,000 a year or less. Household
income includes tax credits, benefits, earnings and any other income received by the adults
in your household.
Support for university open days/interviews
Assistance to cover the main travel costs for students who are attending a higher education
open day or interview. Travel assistance for up to three trips may be covered. Students may
apply in advance or retrospectively and the visit must take place during the 2014-2015
academic year. Evidence of the date of the open day/interview will need to be submitted.
To be eligible for this support your household income for tax year 2013-2014 must be
£25,000 or less. Household income includes tax credits, benefits, earnings and any other
income received by the adults in your household.
Childcare funding
Support is available to help students aged 20 years and over with up to 100% of term-time
only Ofsted registered childcare costs. If you are eligible for government funded nursery
education sessions you must utilise these to help meet your childcare costs. Payments will
be made monthly direct to your childcare provider on provision of a monthly invoice once
you are enrolled. The payment of this support is subject to attendance. To be eligible for this
support your household income for tax year 2013-2014 must be £32,000 or less. Household
income includes tax credits, benefits, earnings and any other income received by the adults
in your household. Learners aged under 20 at the start of their course will not be eligible for
this funding and would need to apply for Care to Learn which is explained further in this
guidance.
Who can apply?
Eligible students must:
• Be enrolled on a full or part-time course funded by the government
• Have good attendance
• Fulfil normal UK residency rules
• Not be in receipt of the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan
The elements you are entitled to will depend on your household income.
How do I apply?
You will need to complete the Discretionary Learner Support Funds and Bursary
application form and return it to the Student Funding and Transport Officer as soon as
possible.
Application forms should be processed and decision letters sent to students within four
weeks of the date of us receiving the application, as long as all information has been
submitted and the student is enrolled at the College.
What evidence is required?
You must evidence the current total income received into your household. This includes the
income of your spouse/partner. You will be asked to provide a copy of pages one to four of
your Tax Credit Award Notice (TCAN) 2014-2015. We cannot accept ‘Provisional’ TCANs. If
you’re not in receipt of tax credits please supply a copy of your current household benefits
letter (dated in the last month) or copies of your 13/14 P60s. Please supply photocopies
only as we cannot take responsibility for returning any original documents.
Other Support
6 01752 305381 [email protected] www.cityplym.ac.uk
Emergency/hardship support
Any student with exceptional hardship or emergency needs can apply for financial
assistance to enable them to remain at College. This is normally a one-off support payment
or very short term support. It cannot be used as a substitute for state benefits or living
costs.
52 305381 [email protected] www.cityplym.ac.uk 5
‘Rise and Shine’ breakfast club scheme
All our students are welcome to access the College’s Free Breakfast Scheme which is
available at both the Woodhouse Lane campus and the Spennymoor campus from 8.30am
to 9.15am, Monday to Friday in the eateries (term time only)
Students can choose from:
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Two slices of toast with a piece of fruit or fruit juice or
Porridge with a piece of fruit or fruit juice or
Cereal with a piece of fruit or fruit juice
Eating a healthy, balanced breakfast has been strongly linked to improving academic
performance by fuelling the brain with the energy and nutrients it needs to perform at its
best leading to increased concentration in the classroom. This initiative supports the
College’s ‘healthy eating’ ethos.
Childcare Support
Care to Learn (C-2-L)
What is Care to Learn?
If you are a young parent, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and any additional
travel costs whilst you are studying.
Who can apply?
You must be:
• Aged under 20 on the start date of your course
• Living in England (normal residency rules apply)
• The main carer for your child/ren
• Using an Ofsted registered childcare provider (this can be a child-minder, nursery or preschool).
How do I apply?
You can request an application form via the Care to Learn website www.direct.gov.uk/careto-learn. You will need to complete the application form then get your childcare provider,
and the College, to complete it before it can be processed. Please forward the application to
the Student Funding and Transport Officer for completion - not your tutor. You will receive
support of up to £160 per week towards costs (based on your College timetable) and this is
paid directly to your childcare provider. If you have any problems completing the application
form, please contact the national Learner Support Service on 0800 121 8989.
12 01752 305381 [email protected] www.cityplym.ac.uk
Terms and conditions of funding
Attendance
To receive financial support from any of the national schemes or any other funds from the
College you must meet the required attendance targets for your classes. For Care to Learn
this will be checked on a monthly basis, meal support on a half-termly basis and bus pass
activation on a termly basis. Failure to achieve this attendance target will lead to the nonpayment of assistance for the following week/month/half-term/term.
Withdrawals
If you withdraw from your course you will not receive further financial assistance. You may
also have to repay any financial assistance you have been awarded and pay any outstanding
fees. You must also return all essential course items and failure to do so will result in an
invoice being issued.
Appeals
If your assistance is stopped or withdrawn due to poor attendance then you have the right
to appeal. You should appeal to the Student Funding and Transport Officer in writing,
explaining the circumstance as to why payment(s) should be reinstated and providing as
much information as possible.
If you believe your Discretionary Learner Support application has not been assessed
correctly, you do not receive a grant or you are not happy with the Level of support
allocated, you can appeal. Your appeal should be made in writing and addressed to:
Appeals, Student Funding and Transport, Bishop Auckland College, Woodhouse Lane,
Bishop Auckland, DL14 6JZ.
You can only appeal once regarding a specific situation - if your appeal is declined, you are
unable to re-appeal for the same reason again, unless you can provide new additional
information to support your case. The appeal decision is final.
If you are unhappy with the decision you can make use of the College’s formal complaints
procedure.
01752 305381 [email protected] www.cityplym.ac.uk 11
Further Discretionary Learner Support (DLSF) conditions
• If you enrol and your DLSF application is unsuccessful, you will have to pay your
course costs in full
• If you withdraw from your course, you will have to pay for the course(s) in full and
your bus pass will be de-activated with immediate effect
• You must supply all necessary evidence with your application. Your application will
not be assessed without it
• DLSF funding is only available for one course per academic year. If you are on a two
year course you will need to make a new application for help each academic year
• You will not receive funding if you have outstanding debts to the College or your
household income is above the rates stated
All guidance and eligibility criteria mentioned in this booklet are correct at the time of print
(July 2014), but the College reserves the right to amend any of this information during the
academic year following government changes to eligibility criteria.
Transport terms and conditions - Code of Conduct
As a user of the College’s transport provision you must adhere to the following
requirements to help the transport run effectively and on schedule. These measures also
ensure your safeguarding whilst travelling on the bus:
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Learners must be at their bus stop 10 minutes prior to collection/departure time
College ID cards must be presented to the driver on boarding the bus. Access will be
refused without a valid College ID card
Any absence resulting from refusal of travel is the learner’s responsibility and will
impact upon College Allowance or Student Bursary payments. Learners will not be
reimbursed for public transport costs incurred in this instance
Rubbish must not be left on buses and must be disposed of responsibly
Learners must not stand on the bus or distract the driver
The College will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour.
Learners identified as displaying unacceptable behaviour may have their transport
privileges revoked for the remainder of the academic year and will face disciplinary
action and deductions to College Allowance or Student Bursary payments. It may also
impact on any other financial support provided by the College.
The following is deemed as unacceptable behaviour:
 Vandalism and destruction to any part of the bus
 The use of abusive language to drivers, students/passengers
 Use of inappropriate language i.e. swearing or offensive language
 Threatening or argumentative behaviour/bullying/fighting
 Refusal to show your College ID card or temporary bus pass when boarding the bus
 Smoking
 Other acts deemed in appropriate by the College
If you have any concerns regarding transport or have recommendations for improving the
provision, please see the Student Funding and Transport Officer in Client Services.
Alternatively you can call 01388 443032.
The Student Funding and Transport Officer
The Student Funding and Transport Officer is here to ensure that you get the best advice
and support with your application for financial support. If you need help, or would like to
speak on an individual basis, please do not hesitate to come to Client Services between
8.45am and 4.45pm. The office is available throughout all holiday breaks (except Christmas).
The Learner Support Funds Policy is available upon request.
You can contact the Student Funding and Transport Officer by telephone on 01388 443 032,
by e-mail at [email protected] or by post at the following address:
Student Funding and Transport Officer
Bishop Auckland College
Woodhouse Lane
Bishop Auckland
Co Durham
DL14 6JZ
Natalie Davison
Principal I Chief Executive
Bishop Auckland College
Woodhouse Lane I Bishop Auckland
County Durham I DL14 6JZ
T: 01388 443000
F: 01388 609294
E: [email protected]
Client Services: 01388 443030
W: www.bishopaucklandcollege.ac.uk