KING EDWARD VI COLLEGE
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
16 – 19 BURSARY FUNDS & FREE MEALS:2016 - 2017
King Edward VI College has an allocation of funds from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) which provides three categories of funding to be distributed according to national guidelines:
- Vulnerable Student Bursary
- Discretionary Bursary Fund (DBF)
- Free Meals
To qualify for any assistance the student must be:
•Aged over 16 and under 19 at 31 August 2016
•A UK resident or meet the EFA residency criteria
Section 1:VulnerableStudent Bursary
A bursaryof £1,200 is available for young peoplestudying a course lasting 30 weeks or more (pro-rata payments for less than 30 weeks) who qualify as vulnerable young people:
•Young people in care, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
•Young care leavers
•Young people getting Income Support or the equivalent Universal Credit in their own right
•Young people getting both Disability Living Allowance (or the new Personal Independence Payments) and Employment and Support Allowance (or Universal Credit as a replacement for ESA) in their own right.
The young person does not have to live independently of their parents, although their parents will not be able to claim Child Benefit for them if their ESA claim succeeds.
Section 2:Discretionary Bursary Fund(DBF)
The Discretionary Bursary Fund (DBF) is a cash-limited fund to support students from low income backgrounds with essential costs in attending college. For eligible students the DBF can help towards essential course related costs such as travel to college, equipment, books, trips orsports kit. You may be assisted from theDBF if the student is:
•Living in a household where the total annual income is less than £25,000 (or living independently on an income below this level)
•Facing exceptional financial circumstances even with an annual household income in excess of £25,000.
•A carer
Section 3:Free Meals
Students may be eligible for free meals if they or their parents are in receipt of the following:
•Income Support
•Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
•Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
•Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
•The guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit
•Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income below £16,190)
•Working Tax Credit run-on
•Universal Credit
Entitlement to free meals will be assessed as part of the Discretionary Bursary Fund application.
Section 4:Guidance Notes
Both categories of bursary are subject to available funds. Recipients must evidence good attendance, progress and behaviour. Allocation of funding may be withheld should attendance fall below 95% or if the student is placed on a cause for concern at any level.
A successful award in one year does not guarantee a future award. New evidence of eligibility must be submitted each academic year.
The DBF is cash limited and can only be allocated whilst funding lasts.
Please remember that each application is judged on the basis of ‘relative financial need’ and that not all applications will be successful.
Section 5:Application Process
If you wish to apply for a bursary you should:
•Check that you meet the financial eligibility criteria detailed above or contact the Bursary Support Administrator;
•Complete the attached application form, answering all questions in full to avoid delaywith processing your application;
•Attach securely the required original evidence as indicated on the form.This evidence will be photocopied and returned to you;
•Ensure the student has a bank account in their own name.
Fully completed forms with all supporting evidence attached should be returned as soon as possible but no later than 12th September 2016. You may be contacted to discuss yourparticular needs. A panel consisting of the Assistant Principal (Student Support),Finance Manager, Bursary Support Administrator and a Lead Tutor will meet to consider all applications for financial support. Interim emergency payments will be approved by the Assistant Principal (Student Support)and the Bursary Support Administrator.
Once your application has been assessed, you will be notified if you have been made an award. Successful applicants will also receive a bursary agreement which they must complete with bank details and return by 3rd October 2016. Payments will be made in three equal instalments with initial payment made by 17th October 2016. Subsequent payments will be made prior to the Christmas and Easter holidays.Where appropriate,payments are made via internal transfers within the college to contributetowards the costs of books, equipment, college transport etc.
Late applications will be considered but may be unsuccessful if funds are no longer available. Awards made for late applications will be made at the earliest opportunity.
Section 6:Appeals
If you wish to appeal against any decision made, please contact theVice Principal (Operations)in writing within 10 days of the decision stating fully your reasons. Please note thatadditional evidence may be required to support your appeal. When preparing your appeal you shouldinclude letters of support from people who understand your situation, for example, a Student Support or LeadTutor, a support worker or yourGP. The Vice Principal (Operations) decision is final.
Section 7:More information
If you need any further information,support or help with completing the application form, please contactthe BursarySupport Administrator:
email:
telephone:01384 398120