FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
If you are facing financial hardship, please speak to our Student Money and Rights Adviser. They can offer advice on support that may be available to you as a student of Buxton and Leek College. This support may be limited to students studying certain subjects, living in certain areas, or of a specific age group. If you qualify in some way, you may be eligible for:
- A bursary – which you wouldn’t have to pay back
- A loan – which you would have to pay back
- A charitable trust to purchase goods on your behalf
Bursary Funding Overview
During your time at Buxton and Leek College, there may things you have to pay for to fully engage with your course, this includes things like; childcare for the days you are timetabled to be on your course, travel to and from college, food and drinks if you’re on campus, and any additional costs for uniform, kit or equipment.
You may need to plan ahead and budget for these, or depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial support from one of the Bursaries we have available.
To help make it simple, we use a universal name for all our Bursaries which is ‘The Financial Support Fund’.
Funding support 2021/22
The information on this webpage is tailored for learners who will be studying with us in academic year 2021/22.
Follow the steps below to get started.
Step 1 – Which fund do i qualify for?
As we have more than one Bursary available at BLC, with different criteria for each, we find it can sometimes overwhelms visitors to our funding pages scrolling through heaps of information trying to figure out which fund if any, will apply to them.
To help make it easier for you (and us) to establish if you would be eligible for funding support from one of our Bursaries, we ask that you complete the funding checker below. This form will then tell you which fund you may be eligible for, what support that fund covers and it will also generate an evidence checklist based on the answers you provide. We advise you not to complete an application form until you have collated the mandatory evidence.
Once you have completed the quiz you can download the relevant Bursary fact files too so you know which fund you may qualify for, how we assess it and what the next steps are.
Step 2 – What evidence should i supply
After you have completed the fund checker. We now ask you begin to collate your evidence in preparation for submitting your application. Should you choose to submit an application without evidence, your application will not be processed until the mandatory evidence has been received.
Due to limited funds being available to us each year, we strongly advise not to do this as complete applications will be prioritised and monies will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
If you forgot to download/ screenshot your checklist whilst on the Support checker, you can find a copy below
2021/2022
School leavers/ 19 years olds on their second year of a two year study programme/ 19-25 years olds in receipt of an EHCP:
Adult Learners:
Examples of Evidence
- In care/ care leaver letter
- Universal Credit Notification
- Tax Credit Notification (if paper copy must be all 6-8 pages and not renewal)
- Payslip or P45
- Most recent Self Assessment
- Disability Living Allowance letter
- ESA Notification
- Income Support Notification
- Personal Independence Payment Letter
Step 3 – Application
Financial Support Fund Application Form 2021/22
Step 4 – Support – Student Money and Rights Adviser
Should you require support with anything mentioned on these pages, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I offer drop ins and appointments for students across both campuses and work alongside the Learner Journey Team to help ensure funding is not a barrier to participation whilst studying with us.
Name: Eleanor Ives
T: 01298 330 817 (Helpline Mon- Fri 1pm-2pm)
E: studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk
Step 5 – Updates
Key updates regarding funding will be posted here.
Step 6 – Overview of the Funds
Download our handouts below which will tell you more about each of the individual funds we have available for our learners:
- 16-19 Bursary Handout
- 16-19 Vulnerable Bursary Handout
- Free College Meals Handout
- 19+ Learner Support Fund Handout
- Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund Handout
How will your application be processed
Are you a student, parent, carer or even a member of staff and want to know how the Financial Support Fund works?
Download our policy below which will tells you all about the Funds and how we process them as a college.
Financial Support Fund Policy BLC
Childcare Funding
Do you have Children and want to study at College?
Do you have Children and want to study at College?
If you are under 20 years old and need assistance with the cost of childcare, you may be able to apply for funding through the Government’s Care to Learn Scheme.
For the points above, the following detail applies:
You will need to book an appointment with the Student Money and Rights adviser and have a copy of your childs birth certificate/ child benefit claim to hand.
You must be using an OFSTED registered provider which may be a Nursery, pre-school setting or childminder.
If you need support looking for the right childcare for your son or daughter, we have a list of Registered Childcare Providers
FEE REMISSION THROUGH THE SKILLS FUNDING AGENCY (SFA)
If you meet certain criteria relating to your age and/or benefits you may already receive, you may not be charged your tuition fees if – this is known as fee remission.
Find out if you may be eligible by visiting the will I have to pay for my course webpages.
£1,000 BURSARY FOR YOUR DEGREE AT UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
Buxton & Leek College is part of the University of Derby. Eligible students who choose to continue their studies by moving into higher education at the University of Derby will receive a £1,000.00 Financial Boost (£900 as a cash award plus a £100 study resource card for Blackwell’s Bookshop). For further information on the Buxton and Leek College Bursary and other Financial Support available to University of Derby students click here.
Loans
Advanced Learner Loans For those aged 19+
Other Funding
Charitable Funding
Money Management
MANAGING YOUR FINANCES
From time to time, we all experience problems with money.
You may have thoughts such as:
- ‘I am finding it difficult to manage my money.’
- ‘I am worrying about my current debt, or running up debt.’
- ‘How do I keep better track of my financial comings and goings?’
Be reassured that you can take control of your money, with the first steps in doing so being to simply recognise it.
We can assist you by suggesting ways in which you can reduce your spend, make the most of your income, and work with you to take back control of your finances
WELFARE & BENEFITS
Many full-time students are not entitled to claim benefits.
Students who are lone parents or are in receipt of disability benefits however, may be entitled to receive certain benefits as a full-time student.
Please contact Citizens Advice if you would like to discuss your entitlement. Citizens Advice Bureau offer appointments through Student Wellbeing at the Buxton campus throughout term time.
Other useful links
www.hmrc.gov.uk/home – for general information about tax and benefits.
www.entitledto.co.uk – for information on benefits and what you may be entitled to.
www.gov.uk – for guidance on employment, debt, benefits and tax.
Thinking Ahead
Want to take control of your money? We all do, don’t we?
Many people experience challenges with money at some point during their lives and at Buxton & Leek College, we recognise that some students may have experiences like these during their course of study.
We therefore encourage all to take time to plan ahead, and think, ‘what do I need to spend my money on?’.
Below are ten top tips that may assist you taking control of your money:
- Use a student bank account
- Spend some time planning expenses
- Prepare a budget sheet and list essential spend
- Keep a record of what you spend – be aware of your spending patterns
- Avoid credit cards and store cards – interest soon adds up and can be very expensive
- Consider standing orders or direct debits for priority bills
- Read the small print in mobile phone contracts. They can be expensive when free offers end
- Plan for extra expenses at the start of the year like for example birthdays
- If you need to borrow, use only interest free overdraft facilities
- Avoid using cashpoint machines that charge for use
