Financial Student Support Guide - Higher Education courses for 2020-2021 - Learning that works - Gloucestershire College
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Financial Student Support Guide Higher Education courses for 2020-2021 Learning that works.
Jargon Buster Higher Education (HE) Study at Higher National Certificate (HNC) Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree (FD), Degree and Postgraduate Degree levels. The Student Loans Company (SLC) The SLC is the Government body that lends money for tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, grants and Disabled Students Allowance. Student Finance England (SFE) The SFE is the Government organisation that oversees the online application process for students in Higher Education. Tuition Fee The tuition fee covers the cost of the HE course. There is a fee for each year of the course you are on. There is funding available to cover the costs from SLC. Please speak to Student Services to discuss how much your tuition fees will be. Maintenance Loan The maintenance loan is money borrowed from SLC to help with costs that accrue whilst you are studying. Examples of what this can cover are: accommodation, food, travel costs and household bills. Means Tested Although tuition fee funding is not means tested, a percentage of the maintenance loan will be. Means Testing means that you are assessed on your household income. Bursary This is funding available from Gloucestershire College to students who meet certain criteria (please see information on Higher Education Progression Bursary) or are in hardship (please see HE Opportunity Fund). This can be used in the same way as the maintenance loan, although there will be no need to repay this. (in some cases, bursary payments will need to fund course materials/trips/equipment)
The Student Loans Company (SLC) & Student Finance England (SFE)
Tuition Fee Funding
The SLC offers loans to cover the full cost of tuition fees for full time courses and most part time courses
(course intensity of Part Time courses must be above 25%).
The Tuition Fees are paid directly to the provider and you won’t need to start repaying this until you are
earning over £511 per week or £2214.00 a month.
Visit www.gov.uk/student-finance/parttime-students to find out further information about tuition fee
loans for part time students.
www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk is a useful tool that you can use to calculate loan repayments.
PLEASE BRING IN YOUR STUDENT FINANCE AWARD CONFIRMATION LETTER WHEN YOU ENROL.
Delays in the provider receiving this may cause delays in you receiving any maintenance payments.
Maintenance Loan
Maintenance Loans can be applied for from the Student Loans Company via Student Finance England.
This can help with non tuition fee related costs whilst studying.
You may have to declare your household income, as this is means tested. Payments will be made
directly to you at the start of each term (September, January & April), once your attendance has
been confirmed by the provider.
The below table shows the amounts that you could receive based on where you will live whilst studying
and whether you choose to be non-income assessed or income assessed. A Student Finance Calculator
can be found at www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator.
Disabled Students Allowance
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is available if you have a disability including a long term health
condition, mental health condition , specific learning difficulty e.g. dyslexia. For more information visit
www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsas.
Extra Help for Full Time Students
Childcare Grant For information visit www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/overview.
Adults Dependency Grant For information visit www.gov.uk/adult-dependants-grant
Parent’s Learning Allowance For information visit www.gov.uk/parents-learning-allowance
Independent/Estranged Student Status
Independent/Estranged Student Status
A student can be assessed as being independent if they:
• Are 25 or over before the start of the academic year
• Are married/in a civil partnership/divorced (even if under 25)*
• Have care of a child Visit
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• Have been the subject of a care order (Care Leavers)
• Cannot trace their parents or it is not practical or possible to contact them
• Have supported themselves financially for at least three years**
You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan via the following website
www.gov.uk/student-financeFinancial Assistance Available at Gloucestershire College
Higher Education Progression Bursary
If you progress from a Further Education qualification achieved at Gloucestershire College onto a Full
Time Higher Education Course at Gloucestershire College, you may be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 in
your first year, and £500 in your second year.
This is a grant that you DO NOT HAVE TO REPAY, and can be used to help with costs that accrue whilst
you study.
Letters will be sent to all eligible students after enrolment onto your Higher Education course. Please
speak to Student Services to see if you are eligible for this bursary.
*In some cases, bursary payments will need to fund course materials/trips/equipment.
Higher Education Opportunities Fund
The HE Opportunities Fund is available for students who are experiencing financial hardship.
You will have needed to apply for a student loan prior to your application for additional support.
We have previously contributed towards laptops, travel costs and course related costs such as text
books.
Please visit Student Services to find out more, and collect an application form!
Funds are limited therefore, eligibility and payment amounts are assessed on an individuals
circumstances. Courses that are provided via partner universities will not be eligible.
Council Tax Exemption
Full Time Students who live alone or share accommodation with other students should be exempt from
paying any Council Tax.
To get a certificate which can be used to take to the council, for exemption please visit Student Services.
TOTUM Student Discount Card (formerly NUS Student Card)
Being a student entitles you to purchase a TOTUM card which has over 200 UK
discounts including 10% at the Co-Op, 20% off National Express, 10% off ASOS, up
to 40% off Pizza Express and discounts at lots of high street stores!
Prices start from £15 a year. Many discounts are online only so you can’t get them
without your TOTUM extra card! Get it delivered home for a small charge, or to the
Student Hub at Gloucestershire College for free at the campus of your choice.
Visit https://www.totum.com/ to purchase your TOTUM card! *you must be enrolled before ordering*
Useful Links
The Complete University Guide www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
The Times Higher Education Guide www.timeshighereducation.com
The Student Room www.thestudentroom.co.uk/student-finance
Student Finance England Youtube www.youtube.com/user/SFEFILM
For more information visit our website or contact Student Services at info@gloscol.ac.uk
or on 0345 155 2020You can also read
