Welfare Financial Support for Students
- Welfare Financial Support for Students
Document No: | SS022 |
|---|---|
Issue No: | 4 |
Issue Date: | 2024-06-01 |
Renewal Date: | 2025-06-01 |
Originator: | Student Services |
Responsibility: | Director of Student Services and Marketing |
Financial Support for FE Students Policy 2024/25
Introduction
1.1. Leicester College receives funds from the government (the discretionary learner support fund) for student financial support and bursaries. These funds are there to help students overcome financial barriers that may prevent them, or make it more difficult to engage in education. Any student on an eligible course can apply for financial support and the college will assess an application based on the eligibility requirements set out in section 3.
1.2. Funds administered by the College are:
Discretionary Learner Support 16-18,19+ Continuing, 19-23 with EHCP
Vulnerable Bursary (formally known as guaranteed Bursary) 16-18
Free Meals: 16-18 (and 19-23 with an EHCP, aged 19+ continuing students
Discretionary Learner Support – Adults
Loans Bursary – Adults
Further detail on the funds available is set out in Appendix 1.
1.3. Students may also be eligible to access external funding including:
Career Development Loans
Care to Learn – Childcare support for students under 20.
Learner Grants via Skills and Education Group. (Intermittent Funding). 1.4. Support is available to students studying at the College who meet the eligibility criteria, however all support is subject to funds being available and is therefore not an entitlement.
Policy Statement
2.1. Leicester College is committed to ensuring all students receive appropriate support to remove barriers to learning. The College will administer internal and Document No: SS022 Issue No: 4 Issue Date: 2024-06-01 Renewal Date: 2025-06-01 Originator: Student Services Responsibility: Director of Student Services and Marketing external Further Education financial support funds for students whose access to, or completion of, education may be affected by financial factors.
2.2. The College is committed to a fair and transparent eligibility and assessment process and will provide advice, support and guidance for any student in financial hardship.
2.3. This policy applies to Government funded students only and does not include those studying on an Apprenticeship or Traineeship.
Eligibility
3.1. The Government sets down the broad eligibility criteria relating to the award of financial support and these are updated on an annual basis. Any allocation of funding is subject to successful assessment and enrolment onto an eligible course. Funding is available to learners who are able to demonstrate that they live in a household with a low income and that as a result will experience financial hardship through participating in education. These funds are intended to mitigate some of the hardships experienced.
3.2. Students must be aged 20 or over to receive support from the fund for childcare costs. Younger students must apply to care to learn for childcare support.
3.3. Students will only be supported by the advanced learner loan bursary if they have an advanced learner loan approved by the Student Loan Company (studying a level 3, 4, 5 or 6 programme).
3.4. The College is unable to support 19+ students who live within a devolved authority within the UK.
3.5. Any allocation of funding is subject to successful assessment and enrolment onto an eligible course. All funding is subject to available funds and an application and eligibility does not guarantee support either in part or full. Ongoing funding is subject to full engagement in learning which includes good attendance, progress and positive behaviour.
3.6. The College policy is that funding will be allocated to learners in receipt of an eligible benefit or are able to demonstrate through suitable evidence that their household income is less than £33,000 for 16-18 year olds and 19+ lone parents and those in a couple. For 19+ single and without children £20,319 per annum. There are further limitations within this; for example eligibility for 16-18 Free Meals is dependent on meeting Government Free Meal criteria.
3.7. In order to minimise paperwork, improve efficiency and ensure appropriate use of limited funding the college expects all learners to make full uses of all other forms of funding prior to making an application for support. We undertake financial assessment using wage slips / payslips / bank statements / benefit statements.
Assessment Criteria
4.1. Support is based on an income assessment and a student’s annual household income should be less than £33,000 for 16-18 year olds and 19+ lone parents and those in a couple (for 19+ single and without children, the threshold is £20,319); or they are in receipt of an eligible benefit. Further detail is set out in Appendices 2 and 3.
4.2. Students will be required to provide parent/carer/partner/own income evidence such as wage slips, benefit statements and bank statement.
4.3. Students applying for childcare support will need to show evidence proving guardianship such as child benefit letter showing the student’s and the children’s name, tax credit award notice or birth certificate.
4.4. Students aged 16-19 who fall into one of the vulnerable student bursary groups will be awarded additional support, subject to a financial assessment of need. The groups are: •
Child – Looked After (section 20 of the Children Act 1989 or Section 22 of the Children Act 1989)
Care leaver (section 31 of the Children Act 1989)
Receiving income support or Universal Credit in own name and living independently or a young parent
On ESA and receiving DLA or PIP in own name
4.5. Students may be eligible for funding from an external source and the college expects students to access this external funding before any support will be considered. Funding may be taken into consideration when making any financial award.
4.6. All awards are made subject to the availability of funds allocated at the start of the academic year by the funding agencies/government. Awards will be made on a first come, first served basis and there is no guarantee that applications will be funded. Students should make their applications as soon as the fund is opened; applications will be assessed in date order.
4.7. Should the funding guidance change mid-year this policy may need to be amended to reflect these changes. This may affect the support provided.
4.8. Further detail is set out in Appendices 2-4.
Allocation of Funds
5.1 Assessment
5.1.1 Applications will be assessed on receipt of a fully completed form with all relevant evidence. Funding will be allocated from the start of learning (as noted on the learning agreement) or receipt of the completed application – whichever is the later. Funds will only be backdated for one full term unless the learner can demonstrate exceptional circumstances prevented them applying at an earlier date.
5.1.2 It is the student and parent / guardian responsibility to ensure that they provide the relevant evidence and fully complete the application form. Assistance is available with completing the form on request.
5.1.3 Further detail in given in Appendix 5.
5.2 Notification of Award
5.2.1 On receipt of a complete application along with all the required evidence the College will normally advise students of the outcome within 5 working days via email. However for applications received during September and October this may take up to 15 working days. In the event that a student does not meet the criteria for an award they will be notified in by email stating the reason why.
5.2.2 All awards are subject to satisfactory enrolment on an eligible College course and ongoing commitment to learning. Where a figure is provided for guidance this is for a full-time learner. Payments will be pro-rata for part-time students.
5.2.3 All applications and notifications will include the following statements: It is your responsibility to advise the Department for Work and Pensions about any financial support you are receiving. If the learner who is the beneficiary of support leaves college before the end of his / her course this may impact some benefits. The college reserves the right to stop or withhold payments where it believes that the learner is not meeting his / her obligations to attendance, behaviour or progress. Any application for funding that college believes to be fraudulent may be referred to external authorities such as the police for investigation with the possibility of the student and/or family facing prosecution.
5.2.4 Students who are unsuccessful in being made an award can appeal using the process in section 5.4.1.
5.3 Method of payment
5.3.1 Wherever possible, payments in kind will be made such as travel passes, credit for meals in the College’s refectories, kit and materials.
5.3.2 Where a monetary payment is appropriate, the College believes students will develop financial numeracy and accountability by being enabled to manage their own affairs and therefore funds will only be paid to the learner, normally by BACS. Help will be provided with opening a bank account where this is necessary e.g. proof of study letters. In exceptional circumstances where a student cannot manage their own affairs doesn’t have a bank account or is not allowed to receive cash payments due to status alternative methods will be discussed.
5.4 Appeals
5.4.1 Appeals must in the first instance addressed in writing to the Welfare Team Leader. Appeals will only be upheld where it can be clearly demonstrated either a) the College has not followed its own policy or b) that the student is in a unique situation that the College has not considered previously. Where appropriate, the Director of Student Services will meet with the student to seek further information.
Data Protection and Fraud
6.1. All applications and associated paperwork will be stored electronically. Only the relevant members of the student services team will have access to the paperwork. According to guidance, the paperwork will be retained for a maximum of 6 years.
6.2. The College is required by statute to share certain information with the Government. Further information is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-bursary-fund-guide-2023- to-2024-academic-year
6.3. The College will always co-operate with criminal investigations and may share information with appropriate authorities that may help with the prevention or detection of a crime.
6.4. Any apparently fraudulent applications will be referred to the appropriate authorities and may lead to suspension or exclusion.
Communication and Review
7.1. This Policy will be published on the College website and reviewed at least every two years.
Appendix 1
Leicester College Student Finance Guidance and Procedures
Support Categories
Discretionary learner support funds 16-18, 19 continuing, 19 with EHCP
1.1. Discretionary Bursary - Award (2023/24) Intended to contribute to meeting the costs of attending college on a day-today basis. The Discretionary Bursary is to be used on the support that has been identified and agreed by the college necessary to help students participate in education. If an institution purchases books or equipment for a student, they can specify the student must return these at the end of their study programme so they can be used again by another student where appropriate.
1.2. Vulnerable (formally known as Guaranteed Bursary - Award (2023/24): up to £1200 This is specifically for learners who are considered vulnerable by the Government and fall into one of four categories:
Child – Looked After (section 20 of the Children Act 1989 or Section 22 of the Children Act 1989)
Care leaver (section 31 of the Children Act 1989)
Receiving income support or Universal Credits in own name and living independently or a young parent
On ESA and receiving DLA or PIP in own name
The College claims this funding on a case by case basis from the Government and it does not form part of a block grant. Assessments will be made by considering the financial needs and other income sources for students and a lower rate will be claimed and paid if a student has free or subsidised accommodation provided by the local authority and receive payments from either social services or from benefits.
All awards will be subject to an assessment of need.
1.3. Free Meals at College Students will be assessed as part of their Bursary application for entitlement to free meals subject to providing appropriate evidence. Assessment will be in accordance with the published government guidance. Students will be allocated £3.15 for each day that they are in College. This will be credited daily on to the student ID card. Students can choose to spend this either on breakfast or lunch as appropriate. Families in receipt of Working Tax Credit are not eligible for Free Meals. This category of students if proven to be in hardship will receive free meals paid from Discretionary bursary fund. Appendix 4 provides guidance on the College’s policy in relation to provision of FCM to young people under Section VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act, Looked After Children and Care Leavers.
1.4. Student Travel
1.4.1. Bus
Bus passes for Arriva and First bus only are provided. First Bus passes are all Mtickets, Arriva will be either annual card passes or vouchers. A charge of £15 is payable for a lost Arriva Buss pass.
If the student needs another bus company, they can claim their travel receipts for a refund.
New 16-18 students must be 3 miles+ away from their campus to qualify as measured by using Google Maps walking estimations. For those returning students who were eligible for LSF in 2023/24 and received travel assistance based on 2 miles, they will receive one-year transitionary protection based on 2 miles for 2024/25. From 2025/26 all students will be assessed using the 3 mile criteria.
Termly or annual bus passes will be awarded where possible. If the student has applied late or forgotten to collect their bus pass halfway through the term, a monthly / weekly / daily bus pass will be provided as this is most cost effective.
ESOL, with the exception of the 16-18 Full-time Programme, will receive Termly Bus passes as they enrol termly.
Students must be timetabled for a minimum of 2 or more days a week and completing a Learner Responsive course of at least on term in length.
1.4.2. Train
For students that need to use the train, we can refund tickets up to the value of the equivalent bus pass. The student is liable for any excess.
1.4.3. Fuel Allowance
A fuel allowance can be given for those 16-18 years old with their own vehicle. Students will need to provide an insurance policy in their own name. We will not refund students brought to College by someone else. Petrol allowance is calculated as follows and cannot exceed the cost of an equivalent bus pass:
MILES x 2 (journeys) x DAYS IN x 0.50 (pence per mile) x TERM WEEKS = Refund Price (round this figure up to the nearest POUND)
1.4.4. Course Kit/Equipment
Where essential kit/equipment is highlighted as being required by curriculum, depending on the students’ course, these costs will be covered. Methods of payment include refunds, internal transfers, or vouchers (Course dependant).
1.4.5. Childcare/Care to Learn
Refer to Care to Learn.
1.4.6. Material Fees
Refunds for any LSF eligible/accepted students can be requested if they have paid for their enrolment fees or material fees instead of charging this to LSF.
Discretionary Learner Support Funds 19+
2.1 The College provides support in the following areas subject to satisfactory enrolment and meeting the eligibility criteria detailed in section 3 of the policy. Students undertaking an Entry Level course will receive a maximum of three years funding (Supported Learning are exempted from this). If they progress to a Level 1/2/3 course funding can continue beyond the three years.
2.2 Tuition Fees
For those students on a full time mainstream course the DLSF can pay 40% (more in exceptional circumstances) This contribution will only be paid once the student has set up an instalment plan and paid at least four monthly instalments.
2.2.1 Adult Travel Award (2023/24)
2.2.1.1 Bus Bus passes for Arriva and First bus only are provided. First Bus passes are all Mtickets, Arriva will be either annual card passes or vouchers. A charge of £15 is payable for a lost Arriva Buss pass.
If the student needs another bus company, they can claim their travel receipts for a refund.
19+ students must be 1.7 miles away from their campus to qualify as measured by using Google Maps walking estimations.
Termly or annual bus passes will be awarded where possible, if the student has applied late or forgotten to collect their bus pass halfway through the term –the monthly / weekly / daily bus passes will be awarded as this is most cost effective.
Students must be timetabled for a minimum of 2 or more days a week.
2.2.1.2 Train
For students that need to use the train, we can refund tickets up to the value of the equivalent bus pass. The student is liable for any excess.
2.2.1.3 Fuel allowance
A fuel allowance can be given to 19+ students. Petrol allowance is calculated as follows and cannot exceed the cost of an equivalent bus pass:
MILES x 2 (journeys) x DAYS IN x 0.50 (pence per mile) x TERM WEEKS = Refund Price (round this figure up to the nearest POUND).
2.2.2 Childcare Support
Learners aged 20 or over enrolled on an ESFA funded course are eligible to apply for a grant towards the cost of childcare. The child must be in an Ofsted registered provider offering childcare, breakfast club or after-school provision. Non-Ofsted registered providers can be considered in exceptional circumstance.
2.2.2.1 Eligibility
To accept a childcare application the learner must:
Have an accepted LSF application.
Have a working partner or no partner.
Provide birth certificate/s for each child.
Doing an eligible course. We will cover timetabled hours including Directed Study (not weekends).
To reject a childcare application the learner must:
Not applied to LSF (direct the learner to the form)
Have a non-working partner that could look after the child.
Their FEEE hours cover their timetabled hours at college.
The learner and their partner are studying at the same time, they will need to arrange separate classes to provide childcare.
Cannot supply birth certificate/s for listed child/ren.
For any students undertaking a short course (anything shorter than a full term) will be down to the manager’s discretion.
You will need to get approval from the Welfare team leader before awarding childcare support.
2.2.3 Day Care / Nursery support
The College will make a contribution of up to £70 / day / £35 for AM/PM session per child for students accessing nursery or day care provision. The learner is responsible for any excess. Where a provider does not make allowance for holiday breaks we will continue to pay for the holiday periods during the published academic year, but not before the start of Autumn Term and not after the end of the Summer Term. Discretionary decisions can be made for one off additional date e.g. Exams/Revision Sessions.
2.2.4 Breakfast Club / Afterschool Club / Childminder
Breakfast club up to £10 / day / child
After school club up to £14 / day / child for students accessing care provision via the child’s school.
Childminder £7 per hour.
The College will not pay for care during College holiday periods. Discretionary decisions can be made for one off additional date e.g. Exams/Revision Sessions.
2.2.5 Childcare cap and payments
The College will only pay for those days when a learner has timetabled lessons in College. Allowances will be made for reasonable travel time and where this runs into another session this will be covered. The maximum payable per child in any academic year is up to £5,000.
The contract / agreement remains between the student and the provider at all times and the college takes no responsibility for balance of fee, arrears, additional sessions or costs incurred outside the agreed times.
Providers are required to provide evidence of their normal fees, OFSTED registration and confirmation that the child is booked to attend.
The College will pay once a term on receipt of confirmation letter. Only the agreed amount will be paid and subject to confirmation of good attendance, behaviour and progress. The College will not be liable for any registration fees or fines.
2.3 Free Meals
All adults with a successful application and undertaking an eligible course e.g. learner responsive will receive free meals for the days that they attend College.
2.4 Print Credit
All adults with a successful application and undertaking an eligible course e.g. learner responsive will receive print credit annually of £80.
2.5 Course Kit/Equipment
Where essential kit/equipment is highlighted as being required by curriculum, depending on the students’ course, these costs will be covered. Methods of payment include refunds, internal transfers, or vouchers (Course dependant).
2.6 Material Fees
Welfare can provide refunds for any LSF eligible/accepted learners if they have paid for their enrolment fees or material fees instead of charging this to LSF.
2.7 CSC Students Only
City Skills students are entitled to a free meal while studying. They are not required to go through an assessment as their entitlement is implicit as benefit claimants. This will be added to their Support Plan termly by a member of the Welfare Team using the CSC new starter spreadsheet administered by the admin team at CSC.
CSC staff will have records of the students’ benefit entitlement as these are mandated/directed by DWP.
Loans Bursary Fund (Level 3, 4, 5 and 6 FE learners with an Advanced Learner Loan aged 19 or over)
The College provides support in the following areas subject to satisfactory enrolment and meeting the eligibility criteria detailed in section 3 of the policy
3.1 Tuition Fees
This fund will NOT provide support for tuition fees.
3.2 Adult Travel Award (23/24)
3.2.1 Bus Bus passes for Arriva and First bus only are provided.
If the student needs another bus company, they can claim their travel receipts for a refund.
19+ students must be 1.7 miles away from their campus to qualify as measured by using Google Maps walking estimations.
Termly or annual bus passes are awarded where possible, if the student has applied late or forgotten to collect their bus pass halfway through the term – this is where a monthly / weekly / daily bus pass will be awarded as this is most cost effective.
Students must be timetabled for a minimum of 2 or more days a week.
3.2.2 Train
For students that need to use the train, we can refund tickets up to the value of the equivalent bus pass. The student is liable for any excess.
3.2.3 Fuel allowance
A fuel allowance can be given to Loans Bursary Fund students. Fuel allowance is calculated as follows and cannot exceed the cost of an equivalent bus pass:
MILES x 2 (journeys) x DAYS IN x 0.50 (pence per mile) x TERM WEEKS = Refund Price (round this figure up to the nearest POUND)
3.3 Childcare Support
3.3.1 Learners aged 20 or over enrolled on an ESFA funded course are eligible to apply for a grant towards the cost of childcare. The child must be in an OFSTED registered provider offering childcare, breakfast club or after-school provision.
3.3.2 Eligibility
To accept a childcare application the learner must:
Have an accepted LSF application.
Have a working partner or no partner.
Provide birth certificate/s for each child.
Doing an eligible course. We will cover timetabled hours including Directed Study (not weekends)
To reject a childcare application the learner must:
Not applied to LSF (direct the learner to the form)
Have a non-working partner that could look after the child.
Their FEEE hours cover their timetabled hours at college.
The learner and their partner are studying at the same time, they will need to arrange separate classes to provide childcare.
Cannot supply birth certificate/s for listed child/ren.
For any students undertaking a short course (anything shorter than a full term) will be down to the manager’s discretion.
You will need to get approval from the Welfare team leader before awarding childcare support.
3.3.3 Day Care / Nursery support
The College will make a contribution of up to £70 / day / £35 for AM/PM session per child for students accessing nursery or day care provision. Where a provider does not make allowance for holiday breaks we will continue to pay for the holiday periods during the published academic year, but not before the start of Autumn Term and not after the end of the Summer Term. Discretionary decisions can be made for one off additional date e.g. Exams/Revision Sessions.
3.3.4 Breakfast Club / Afterschool Club / Childminder
Breakfast club up to £10 / day / child
After school club up to £14 / day / child for students accessing care provision via the child’s school.
Childminder £7 per hour.
The College will not pay for care during College holiday periods. Discretionary decisions can be made for one off additional date e.g. Exams/Revision Sessions.
3.3.5 Childcare cap and payments
The College will only pay for those days when a learner has timetabled lessons in college. Allowances will be made for reasonable travel time and where this runs into another session this will be covered. The maximum payable per child in any academic year is up to £5,000.
The contract / agreement remains between the student and the provider at all times and the College takes no responsibility for balance of fee, arrears, additional sessions or costs incurred outside the agreed times.
Providers are required to provide evidence of their normal fees, OFSTED registration and confirmation that the child is booked to attend.
The College will pay once a term on receipt of confirmation letter. Only the agreed amount will be paid and subject to confirmation of good attendance, behaviour and progress.
The College will not be liable for any registration fees or fines.
3.4 Free Meals
All adults with a successful LSF application, undertaking an eligible course e.g. learner responsive and have an approved ADVLL will receive free meals for the days that they attend College.
3.5 Print Credits
All adults with a successful LSF application, undertaking an eligible course e.g. learner responsive and have an approved ADVLL will receive annual print credit to the value of £80.
3.6 Course Kit/Equipment
This will not be funded as this is included in the ADVLL.
3.7 Material Fees
This will not be funded as this is included in the ADVLL.
Residential Support
Intended to eliminate the barriers to attending College to follow a specialist provision which is not available locally and for those who may have to find accommodation closer to the college. This support is for learners who are in receipt of an advanced learner loan and have been assessed as requiring support. This support will be funded from the bursary funding. It is the responsibility of the learner to find suitable accommodation and money will be paid directly to the learner or the accommodation provider subject to providing satisfactory evidence.
Promotion of Funds
Intended to eliminate the barriers to attending College to follow a specialist provision which is not available locally and for those who may have to find accommodation closer to the college. This support is for learners who are in receipt of an advanced learner loan and have been assessed as requiring support. This support will be funded from the bursary funding. It is the responsibility of the learner to find suitable accommodation and money will be paid directly to the learner or the accommodation provider subject to providing satisfactory evidence.
Appendix 2
16-18 Assessment Chart (2023-24 version)
Eligibility | |||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Is the student 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2023 (or 19-23 and evidence of an EHCP) | Yes | Go to section 2 |
No | Not eligible for support – check for 19+ eligibility. STOP | ||
2 | 2 Has the student been assessed by college as eligible for EFA funding and residency? | Yes | Go to section 3 |
No | Not eligible for support. STOP. | ||
3 | 3 Is the student claiming “independent” status e.g. Care Leaver or Looked after child? | Yes | Go to section 6 |
No | Go to section 4 | ||
Non-independent Learners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
4 | Does parent have evidence dated within last 3 months of receipt of one or more of:
| Yes | Entitled to Discretionary Bursary, Support Funds* AND Free College Meals. |
No | Go to section 5 | ||
5 | Does parent have evidence dated within last 3 months of receipt of:
| Yes | Entitled to Discretionary Bursary and Support Funds*. |
No | Not entitled to Bursary OR Free School Meals. STOP. | ||
Independent Learners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
6 | Does the learner have evidence of one or more of the following:
| Yes | Student is entitled to Vulnerable Bursary and Support Funds* and may be entitled to Free College Meals. Go to section 7 |
No | Student is not entitled to Vulnerable bursary but may be entitled to Free College Meals and Support Funds. Go to section 7 | ||
7 | Does learner have evidence in own name dated within last 3 months of receipt of one or more of:
| Yes – and in receipt of VB Yes – but not in receipt of VB | Entitled to Discretionary Bursary, Support Funds* Entitled to Discretionary Bursary, Support Funds* AND Free College Meals. |
No | Not entitled to Free School Meals. Go to section 8. | ||
8 | Is the learner in receipt of one or more of following:
| Yes | Entitled to Discretionary Bursary, Support Funds* |
No | STOP. | ||
9 | Does learner live within 3 miles from home to campus:
| Yes | No travel support |
No | Travel Support | ||
Appendix 3 Adult Assessment Chart - not HE (2023/24 version)
Eligibility | |||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Is the student 19 or over on 31 August 2023? | Yes | Go to section 2 |
No | Refer to 16-18 support | ||
2 | Is the course funded by Education and Skills Funding Agency OR eligible for 19+ Advanced Learner loans funding? | Yes | Go to section 3 |
No | Not eligible for support. STOP. (NB if course is marked FULL COST check if set-up for 19+) | ||
3 | Is the course L3, L4, L5 & L6 and the student is 19 or over on 31 August 2023. | Yes | Go to section 7 |
No | Go to section 4 | ||
4 | Has the student been assessed by college as eligible for EFA funding and residency? | Yes | Go to Section 5 |
No | STOP | ||
Funded Bursaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
5 | Is the learner (or the learner is a dependant of someone who is) in receipt of an eligible benefit dated within last 3 months:
| Yes | Learner eligible for
|
No | Not eligible for support. Advise MAY be eligible for a CDL.STOP. | ||
6 | Is the learner applying for Childcare support AND under 20? | Yes | Childcare must go through C2L. Continue to Section 9 |
No | Continue to Section 9 | ||
Bursaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
7 | Is the learner in receipt of a valid Advanced Learner loan approval letter OR is showing as approved on ADLL Portal? | Yes | Go to Section 8 |
No | Student MUST be in receipt of a loan before receiving help. Refer to advice centre. STOP | ||
8 | Is the learner (or the learner is a dependant of someone who is) in receipt of an eligible benefit dated within last 3 months:
| Yes | Entitled to 19+ Loan Bursary support.
|
No | Not eligible for support. Advise MAY be eligible for a CDL. STOP | ||
Other | |||
|---|---|---|---|
9 | Does learner live within 1.7 miles from home to campus: | Yes | No travel support. |
No | Travel support available. | ||
Appendix 4
Part VI of Immigration and Asylum Act for Assessment of FCM and Asylum Seekers
Free Meals | Bursary | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
Asylum seeker who is looked after and in Financial need | Can receive them under Section VI as the local authority is providing accommodation and ensuring essential living needs being met. | Yes – Vulnerable bursary as a Looked After Child. | Letter from SW* confirming LAC and receiving support under Section VI. ARC Card |
Asylum seeker who is not looked after but is a dependant and in Financial need | Can receive - if the parent or a social worker can evidence that they are being accommodated or supported with essential living needs by the local authority. | Yes – College Bursary if they qualify for FCM on the basis that the family are, or at risk of, becoming destitute and require LA intervention. | Letter from SW* confirming LAC and receiving support under Section VI. ARC Card |
Asylum Seeker who is a care leaver and in Financial need | Only if meet age criteria AND they or SW can evidence that they are being accommodated or supported with essential living needs by the local authority. | Yes – Vulnerable bursary as a Care Leaver | Letter from SW* confirming CL and receiving support under Section VI. ARC Card |
Looked After child in Financial need | Financial need Requires evidence of income support, Universal Credits, income based JSA or income related ESA. | Yes – Vulnerable bursary as a Looked After Child. | Letter from SW* confirming LAC status. Benefit Evidence |
Care leaver in Financial need | Requires evidence of income support, Universal Credits, income based JSA, income related ESA, etc. | Yes – Vulnerable bursary as a Care Leaver | Letter from SW* confirming CL status. Benefit Evidence |
*Statement from Social Worker / Immigration Officer to state:
“This student is an asylum seeker, or the dependant of an asylum seeker, who is receiving on-going support from the Government under Section VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 with accommodation and / or provision for essential living needs whilst his or her claim is processed.”