Financial Support for students aged 19+

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

*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

You can apply before enrolment or during the academic year.

Your children must be pre school age (between 6 months to 4 years) and have a household income below £25,000.00, exceptional circumstances will also be considered however there are no guarantees.

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.

Eligible students may receive a % towards their monthly childcare costs, if you require further information please speak with our Student Money and Rights Team.

Please contact our Student Money and Rights Team if you have any queries on:

T: 01298 330 414 or E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk

Please be aware that if you received support from the fund in Academic Year 19/20 you will need to reapply in August and you will need to provide a brand new childcare quotation from your chosen provider.

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 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.

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  

You can your check your eligibility in the guidance below.

We recommend collating any required evidence as soon as possible (online or paper photocopies will suffice).

Processing can take up to 6 weeks from receipt of a complete application during busy periods – please do not hand in an application without all the required evidence as the timeframe for processing will be extended.

If you have any further queries or would like an application form sending out to you, please contact our Student Money and Rights adviser on: E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk.

Please be aware that if you received support from the fund in Academic Year 19/20 you will need to reapply from August 2020. 

FAQ- ALL YOUR GENERAL BURSARY ENQUIRIES ANSWERED (INCLUDING HOW CORONAVIRUS MAY AFFECT OUR BURSARY FUNDS)

The application form for Financial Support in 2020/21, is now available to download from our webpages. Both new and returning students will need to complete a ‘Financial Support Fund‘ application form (a Universal application for all the Bursaries we administer at Buxton and Leek College), in order to receive financial support towards additional course costs.

In order to apply, you will need to download the application form found on the link above and return it to E: financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk – unfortunately, we will not be able to accept paper applications whilst the campus is closed.

FAQs regarding the Financial Support Fund and how it is affected by Covid 19

The Financial Support Fund would like to thankyou all for your patience during this time.

We would also like to update you all regarding the Fund and what that means for you whilst you study from home.

Please be aware that any updates will be sent to your Unimail account.

Is the Financial Support Fund still open?

• The Financial Support Fund is still open and welcoming applications until the close of the academic year
• You can find out more information and apply by downloading our application form for 2020/ 21 from our webpages.
• As the campus is now closed to visitors and staff, our Financial Support Fund Team are working remotely and are still available to answer queries via email, but will not be able to access any paper records.
• All information received will be processed in line with GDPR.

Awaiting a decision?

• The Financial Support Fund Team are currently working as fast as we can to process applications- we have seen a substantial increase in applications this year which evidences the financial impact Covid 19 has had
• The processing time is currently 6-8 weeks – please be patient
• As we are a small team we ask for you to ensure you limit the email traffic we are currently receiving at E: financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk and only email us for an update if you did not receive a decision within 6 working weeks (this does not include the two week Christmas period)
• We also ask for you to ensure you have
• Completed your application in full
• Signed the front page of your form
• Provided your (the students bank details in Section F), if this is not possible we ask you explain why in your supporting statement and sign that you are happy to have any direct Bursary monies paid to the account provided
• Sent us all the requested evidence found within the checklist within the application form

In the event applications are received with missing evidence, your application will be subject to the 6 week timeframe each time we ask for additional evidence – it is therefore important you include all the requested evidence straightaway.

Circumstances changed since first applying?

You will need to put in a second application to the fund and evidence the change in income/ circumstances.

Will you be paid your bursary allocations whilst you study from home?

• FCM/ Meal Card payments will continue- the rate and format will be communicated with you as soon as possible – the team are currently working hard to ensure all payments are in place
• Travel payments – unless you are studying onsite travel payments will, for the time being, stop – in it’s place the team will be identifying other costs we can support you with whilst you study from home, this will be communicated with you within the next fortnight
• Equipment/ laptop costs – If you have sent us a receipt for either your equipment or laptop costs we will pick this up as soon as possible  – if it has been over four weeks since you claimed one of the two options for laptops and haven’t heard anything – please flag this with us
• Childcare – if you still require childcare during this period, the Bursary will continue to make payments subject to 85% attendance, for the days you are timetabled to study
• Other – these will continue as normal

The bursary fund provides support towards the additional course costs of attending College, including travel, equipment, fees, field trips and additional courses.

It may be possible for the College to make a contribution towards childcare costs for students who are in receipt of a state benefit. However, please note that there is no guarantee that this will be possible, or what percentage of the overall cost the College will be able to meet.

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

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, STUDENTS MUST:

• • not be in receipt of an Advanced Learning Loan for tuition fees.
  • be enrolled on a Government funded course of Further Education at Buxton and Leek College inclusive of Access students studying at the University of Derby.
  • be aged 19 years or over on 31 August 2020.
  • be a ‘Home’ student – that is someone whose home has been in the UK for three years before the commencement of the course, and who has no restrictions on remaining in the UK. There may be exceptions to this, and clarification can be obtained from Student Wellbeing.
  • have a household income of less than £25,000 per annum

Please note if you are aged 19-25 and in receipt of an EHCP or you are aged 19 years old and continuing on a study programme you began aged 16-18, you need to apply to the 16-19 Bursary Fund, further details regarding this fund can be found here.

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 Learner Support Fund, please click here to find out what funding may be available to you if you are looking at or doing an apprenticeship.

The Learner Support Fund will help students towards the essential costs of your course including:

• Travel
• Books / equipment
• Uniform
• Fees
• Childcare (students aged 20 years or over) if aged under 19, please refer to the Care to Learn scheme
• Other extras i.e. DBS Check, Essential Field Trips

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED WHEN I SUBMIT MY FORM?

(Applicants will need to include photocopies -online or paper copies only – of the following evidence)

Students aged 18 or above who are living at home with parent(s)/ guardian(s) or living on their own

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student including ISA/ Savings Accounts and

• Proof of income from employment or benefits i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)
• If you require assistance towards childcare costs; provide evidence of costs (i.e. quotes or invoices for one week, for the days you are on your course

Students aged 18 or above who are living with a partner

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student and their partner including ISA/ Savings Accounts and

• Proof of income from employment or benefits for the student and their partner i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)
• If you require assistance towards childcare costs; provide evidence of costs (i.e. quotes or invoices for one week, for the days you are on your course

*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

• • • • To apply you will need to:
      • Download the PDF/ Word copy of our application form below and complete it in full (online or printed)
      • Sign your application form-if the PDF copy will not allow you to do this, you will need to provide a separate document i.e. photograph/ scan of your signature which we can then add to your application form
      • Provide evidence to show your household income is below £25,000.00 (please refer to the checklist found within the application form for further detail)

    • FINANCIAL SUPPORT FUND APPLICATION FORM 2020/21

      Financial Support Fund (PDF)

    • Financial Support Fund (Word)
    • HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED FORM AND EVIDENCE?

    • Once your form is completed , you can submit this along with photocopies of  required supporting evidence to:
    • E: Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk – ensure applications and evidence are supplied on one email where possible.
    • Please only post back applications if you cannot complete an online form- currently due to the campus being closed there are no guarantees this will be processed until the campus reopens.
    • A: The Financial Support Fund Team
    •      CL/208
    •      Clarendon House
    •      Buxton and Leek College
      • Devonshire Road
      • Buxton
      • SK17 6RY
    • When you have submitted your application (with supporting evidence), you will receive an acknowledgement email detailing your receipt number and informing you of when you should hear about a decision from the Financial Support Funding Panel.
    • Following this all future correspondence will be sent to your Unimail Account.
    • Your application will then be considered by the Financial Support Funding Panel who will send you an email informing you of their decision.
    • Awards will, in most circumstances, be paid in instalments and will be dependent on attendance and behaviour.
    • Your application and the information you provide will be stored confidentially and securely, and will only be used for the purpose of assessing your eligibility for the Bursary Fund.

You can your check your eligibility in the guidance below.

We recommend collating any required evidence as soon as possible (online or paper photocopies will suffice).

Processing can take up to 6 weeks from receipt of a complete application during busy periods – please do not hand in an application without all the required evidence as the timeframe for processing will be extended.

If you have any further queries or would like an application form sending out to you, please contact our Student Money and Rights adviser on: E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk.

Please be aware that if you received support from the fund in Academic Year 19/20 you will need to reapply from August 2020. 

FAQ- ALL YOUR GENERAL BURSARY ENQUIRIES ANSWERED (INCLUDING HOW CORONAVIRUS MAY AFFECT OUR BURSARY FUNDS)

We have complied a list of questions and answers for any queries you may have regarding the Bursary Fund whilst our campuses are closed, click show more for further information

The bursary fund provides support towards the additional course costs of attending College, including travel, equipment, field trips and additional courses.

It may be possible for the College to make a contribution towards childcare costs for students who are in receipt of a state benefit. However, please note that there is no guarantee that this will be possible, or what percentage of the overall cost the College will be able to meet.

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

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, STUDENTS MUST:

• • be in receipt of an Advanced Learning Loan for tuition fees.
  • be enrolled on a Government funded course of Further Education at Buxton and Leek College inclusive of Access students studying at the University of Derby.
  • be aged 19 years or over on 31 August 2020.
  • be a ‘Home’ student – that is someone whose home has been in the UK for three years before the commencement of the course, and who has no restrictions on remaining in the UK. There may be exceptions to this, and clarification can be obtained from Student Wellbeing.
  • have a household income of less than £25,000 per annum

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

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

• Travel
• Books / equipment
• Uniform
• Fees
• Childcare (students aged 20 years or over) if aged under 19, please refer to the Care to Learn scheme
• Other extras i.e. DBS Check, Essential Field Trips

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED WHEN I SUBMIT MY FORM?

(Applicants will need to include photocopies only – paper or online- of the following evidence)

Students aged 18 or above who are living at home with parent(s)/ guardian(s) or living on their own

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student including ISA/ Savings Accounts and:

• Proof of income from employment or benefits i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)
• If you require assistance towards childcare costs; provide evidence of costs (i.e. quotes or invoices for one week, for the days you are on your course

Students aged 18 or above who are living with a partner

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student and their partner including ISA/ Savings Accounts and:

• Proof of income from employment or benefits for the student and their partner i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)
• If you require assistance towards childcare costs; provide evidence of costs (i.e. quotes or invoices for one week, for the days you are on your course

*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

• • • • To apply you will need to:
      • Download the PDF/ Word copy of our application form below and complete it in full (online or printed)
      • Sign your application form-if the PDF copy will not allow you to do this, you will need to provide a separate document i.e. photograph/ scan of your signature which we can then add to your application form
      • Provide evidence to show your household income is below £25,000.00 (please refer to the checklist found within the application form for further detail)

    • FINANCIAL SUPPORT FUND APPLICATION FORM 2020/21

      • Financial Support Fund (PDF)
      • Financial Support Fund (Word)
    • HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED FORM AND EVIDENCE?

    • Once your form is completed , you can submit this along with photocopies of  required supporting evidence to:
    • E: Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk – ensure applications and evidence are supplied on one email where possible.
    • Please only post back applications if you cannot complete an online form- currently due to the campus being closed there are no guarantees this will be processed until the campus reopens.
    • A: The Financial Support Fund Team
    •      CL/208
    •      Clarendon House
    •      Buxton and Leek College
      • Devonshire Road
      • Buxton
      • SK17 6RY
    • We are not currently accepting paper application forms due to Covid 19, if this will cause you any issues please let us know and we will arrange an alternative method for you to apply after you have enrolled on your course and the campus has been reopened to staff, students & visitiors.
    • When you have submitted your application (with supporting evidence), you will receive an acknowledgement email detailing your receipt number and informing you of when you should hear about a decision from the Financial Support Funding Panel.
    • Following this all future correspondence will be sent to your Unimail Account.
    • Your application will then be considered by the Financial Support Funding Panel who will send you an email informing you of their decision.
    • Awards will, in most circumstances, be paid in instalments and will be dependent on attendance and behaviour.
    • Your application and the information you provide will be stored confidentially and securely, and will only be used for the purpose of assessing your eligibility for the Bursary Fund.