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Financial Support

 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’.

Tuition Fees 2022/23

Are you a new/ prospective/ current learner looking to study with us in September 2022/ January 2023?

aRE YOU UNSURE WHETHER YOU WILL NEED TO PAY TUITION FEES?

Do I have to pay Tuition Fees 2022/23?

If you are aged 18 or under on 31st August 2022, you do not have to pay tuition fees (subject to residency criteria).

If you are aged over 18 years of age on 31 August 2021, whether you have to pay or not depends on criteria such as age, eligibility for discounts and whether you live in the UK, European Union (EU) or overseas.

If you meet certain criteria relating to your age and/or benefits, you may not be charged your tuition fees if – this is known as fee remission.

Click here to find out if fees apply to you or alternatively, email the enrolment team who will be happy to advise you on whether tuition fees will apply for the course you are looking to study

Click the arrow to find out more.

Overview of the bursary Funds

What is the 16-19 bursary fund?

16-19 Bursary Fund

The 16 – 19 Bursary fund is a discretionary and limited source of financial help.

Students from low income households or who are facing genuine financial difficulties may be awarded a bursary at the discretion of Buxton & Leek College.

The bursary fund provides support towards the additional course costs of attending College, including travel, equipment, meals and other costs i.e. DBS.

Where possible payments will be made in kind.

 

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, STUDENTS MUST:
  • be enrolled on a Government funded course of further education at the College
  • be aged 16-19 on 31 August 2022
  • be aged 19-25 and in receipt of an EHCP
  • be aged 19 and continuing on a study programme they began aged 16-18
  • Be a British Citizen or meet the residency criteria set out by the Government
  • Meet the household income of £35,000.00 or less per annum

Bursary payments issued will be dependent on 85% attendance and behaviour monitoring.

Students on apprenticeship programmes, or any waged training, are unfortunately not eligible for the 16 – 19 Bursary Fund, please click here to find out what funding may be available to you if you are looking at or doing an apprenticeship.

 

WHAT ADDITIONAL COURSE COSTS CAN I APPLY FOR?

For learners with a household income of less than £28,000.00 per annum, you may be entitled to support with:

  • Bus Pass
  • External Travel (beyond 1 mile from campus – receipts must be included)
  • Books / equipment
  • Kit
  • Uniform
  • Essential field trips
  • Other extras i.e. DBS Check, UCAS application

For learners with a household income between £28,000.01 and £35,000.00 per annum you may be entitled to support with the following:

  • Bus Pass
  • External Travel (beyond 1 mile from campus – receipts must be included)
Click the arrow to find out more.

 

what is the 16-19 vulnerable bursary fund?

16-19 Vulnerable Bursary Fund

Students that are most in need and unlikely to be receiving financial assistance from parents or carers.

Students who are not eligible for this part of the fund should check their eligibility for the 16-19 Bursary Fund instead.Students most in need may be eligible to receive a bursary of  up-to £1,200 a year depending on financial need.

The defined vulnerable groups are students who are:

aged 16 – 18 years of age and

  • in care
  • care leavers
  • receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner
  • receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right

Students who meet the criteria of the Vulnerable Bursary will not automatically be entitled to an award, an assessment of their course and financial need will be carried out by the Financial Support Fund Panel and if a financial need can be evidenced, then an award of up-to £1200.00 for the year may be made.

Click the arrow to find out more.

 

What is the Free college meals scheme?

Free College Meals Scheme

If you are a College student studying at Buxton and Leek College you may be eligible for Free College Meals. If eligible, an allowance will be provided for the days that you are in college and on placement.

This allowance can be redeemed in the Balcony Cafe at Buxton and the Gallery at Leek.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR FREE COLLEGE MEALS, STUDENTS MUST:

  • be aged between 16 and 18 years old (as at 31 August 2022)
  • be aged between 19 and 25  and in receipt of an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan)
  • be aged 19 and continuing a study programme you began aged 16-18

YOU OR YOUR PARENTS MUST BE IN RECEIPT OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The Guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa
Click the arrow to find out more.

What is the 19+ Learner Support fund?

19+ Learner Support Fund

The 19+ Learner Support Fund is a discretionary and limited source of financial help for students who are from low income households or who are experiencing hardship.

Students facing genuine financial difficulties may be awarded a bursary at the discretion of Buxton & Leek College.

The bursary fund provides support towards the additional course costs of attending College, including travel, equipment, childcare, professional memberships and other costs i.e. DBS.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, STUDENTS MUST:
  • be enrolled on a Government funded course of further education at the College
  • be aged 19+ on 31 August 2022
  • Be a British Citizen or meet the residency criteria set out by the Government
  • Be in receipt of tuition fee remission or paying your tuition fees yourself
  • Meet the household income of £35,000.00 or less

 

Bursary payments issued will be dependent on 85% attendance and behaviour monitoring.

Students on apprenticeship programmes, or any waged training, are unfortunately not eligible for the Fund, please click here to find out what funding may be available to you if you are looking at or doing an apprenticeship.

WHAT ADDITIONAL COURSE COSTS CAN I APPLY FOR?

The 19+ Learner Support Fund will help students towards the essential costs of their course including:

  • Travel
  • Books / equipment
  • Professional memberships i.e. AAT
  • Kit
  • Uniform
  • Essential field trips
  • Childcare (90% contribution, learners will be expected pay 10%)

Other extras i.e. DBS Check

Click the arrow to find out more

what is the ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN bursary fund?

Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund

The Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund is a discretionary and limited source of financial help for students who are experiencing hardship.

Students facing genuine financial difficulties may be awarded a bursary at the discretion of Buxton & Leek College.

The bursary fund provides support towards the additional course costs of attending College, including travel, equipment and other costs i.e. DBS.

 

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, STUDENTS MUST:
  • be enrolled on a Government funded course of further education at the College
  • be aged 19+ on 31 August 2022
  • Be a British Citizen or meet the residency criteria set out by the Government
  • Successfully be in receipt of an Advanced Learner Loan
  • Meet the household income as stated on the funding checker

Bursary payments issued will be dependent on 85% attendance and behaviour monitoring.

Students on apprenticeship programmes, or any waged training, are unfortunately not eligible for the Fund, please click here to find out what funding may be available to you if you are looking at or doing an apprenticeship.

 

WHAT ADDITIONAL COURSE COSTS CAN I APPLY FOR?

The Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund will help students towards the essential costs of their course including:

  • Travel
  • Books / equipment
  • Professional memberships i.e. AAT
  • Kit
  • Uniform
  • Essential field trips
  • Childcare (90% contribution, learners will be expected pay 10%)
  • Other extras i.e. DBS Check
Click the arrow to find out more

Application and evidence

To be eligible for financial support, you must submit a complete application form and provide evidence that you meet the household income threshold. 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.

Applications are also accepted from those facing hardship – you will need to contact the Student Money and Rights Adviser to discuss your individual circumstances who can then advise you how to proceed.

Our checklists and an example of the evidence that needs supplying can be found below.

Application Forms

 

EVIDENCE CHECKLISTS

 

EXAMPLES OF EVIDENCE

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

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

Updates

Key updates regarding funding will be posted here.

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Vulnerable Bursary

No updates

16-19 Bursary/ Learner Support Fund/ A.L.L Bursary

No updates

Free College Meals

No updates

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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

Funding available for parents aged 20+?
If you are 20 years of age or older and need assistance with the cost of childcare you will need to apply for funding through the Financial Support Fund, see the information above.

You can apply before enrolment or during the academic year.

Important Information: The College can only pay a contribution towards the cost of childcare during the weeks and sessions when you are timetabled to be at College and during the College term-time. The College does not pay for Christmas, Easter or Summer Holidays. Costs incurred above the support granted are the responsibility of the parent to fund.

For the points above, the following detail applies:

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

*Please also note 2 – 4 year olds may be entitled to 15/30 hours of free nursery education – this entitlement must be used before making a claim for assistance with childcare

This funding can not be used in conjunction with the childcare funding provided by Universal Credit, further information regarding this can be found here.

 

External Childcare funding

SURE START MATERNITY GRANT

If you are currently pregnant and need help towards the cost of your baby, you may be entitled to the Sure Start Maternity Grant, which is a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child.

You will usually qualify for the grant if both of the following apply:

  • you’re expecting your first child, or you’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already
  • you or your partner already get certain benefits

UNIVERSAL CREDIT CHILDCARE FUNDING

You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

You (and your partner if you live with them) will usually need to either:

  • be working – it does not matter how many hours you or your partner work
  • have a job offer
HOW MUCH YOU’LL GET

The most you can get back each month is:

  • £646 for one child
  • £1108 for 2 or more children

You can claim Universal Credit online

TAX FREE CHILDCARE

You can get up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare.

If you’ve already registered, you can sign in to your childcare account.

If you get Tax-Free Childcare, the government will pay £2 for every £8 you pay your childcare provider. This is paid via an online childcare account that you set up for your child.

You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.

Your eligibility depends on:

  • if you are working
  • how much you earn
  • your child’s age and circumstances
  • your nationality

15/30 HOURS FREE CHILDCARE

You may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year, which you can choose how you take) if your child is 2 or 3 – 4 years old.

If you’ve already registered, you can sign in to your childcare account.

The childcare:

  • must be with an approved childcare provider
  • stops when your child starts in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)

You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.

Please contact our Student Money and Rights Adviser for further information  

FEE REMISSION THROUGH THE SKILLS FUNDING AGENCY (SFA)

Ife 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+ 

Are you thinking of improving your career options, but worried about the cost of tuition? If you’re aged 19 or over you can study on a course and pay no upfront tuition fees by taking out a Government Advanced Learner Loan. The loan is easy to apply for, doesn’t take your household income into account and doesn’t involve a credit check. It will fund most college courses at Level 3 and above.

Am I eligible for the A.L.L Loan How much will I recieve Will I have to repayWhen can I apply
TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE A.L.L Loan, you MUST:
  • Be aged 19 or above on the first day of your course
  • Be a British citizen or meet the residency criteria set out by the Government
  • Be taking an eligible course that is Level 3 or Level 4 (such as Access to Higher Education or BTEC Level 3)
How much will I receive?

This will depend on the course you take and how much the tuition fees are. You don’t have to borrow the full cost of your course as you can part-fund some of it yourself.

  • When will I have to repay the loan?
  • You only start to pay back the loan once you’ve finished your course and you’re earning over the repayment threshold. Until then you don’t need to pay back anything, but you can make voluntary repayments at any time if you choose to. If you are on an Access to Higher Education course and go on to complete a degree, you won’t have to repay the loan for your Access course.
  • When can I apply for a loan?
  • You will be able to apply online for an Advanced Learning Loan once you have been offered a place on your chosen course. Our Admissions Team will send you all of the relevant information that you need; you will not be able to apply without this information.

    • For more information visit www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/overview

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    Other Funding

    external Funding

    You may also be entitled to claim additional funds from the following Bursaries. Please see their websites for further details.

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    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.