Student Finance

An annual bursary of up to £1,200 may be awarded to learners who can demonstrate financial need and who are currently in care or are a care leaver (including a special guardianship order).

The amount awarded will be based on the learner’s individual circumstances and assessed level of need.

What support could you receive?

If your household income is £35,000 or below you may be eligible to financial support for:

• costs of essential equipment and uniform
• cost of mandatory trips to pass the course (this does not include trips that enhance the course, or any travel abroad)
• costs for travel if you live more than 1 mile from your base campus (this will be provided as a bus travel pass in most cases – where a bus pass is not available for your area support for the cost of other travel will be considered)

Learners must be:

• Aged 16 to 18 at the time of enrolment
• Studying on a full time Further Education course
• Timetabled for more than 12 hours per week
• On a course lasting a minimum of 10 weeks
• Be able to provide a Local Authority/Social Services Letter confirming their in care/care leaver status or evidence of a special guardianship order

If you do not qualify for the 16-18 Accessible Bursary, you may be eligible for support through the 16-18 Discretionary Bursary.

Available to all students that satisfy the eligibility criteria to help you cover the cost of essential items for your course, e.g. kit, uniforms, books and transport to and from college.

What support could you receive?

If your household income is £35,000 or below you may be eligible to financial support for:

• costs of essential equipment and uniform
• cost of mandatory trips to pass the course (this does not include trips that enhance the course, or any travel abroad)
• costs for travel if you live more than 1 mile from your base campus (this will be provided as a bus travel pass in most cases – where a bus pass is not available for your area support for the cost of other travel will be considered)

Learners must be:

• Aged 16 to 18 at the time of enrolment
• Studying on a full time Further Education course
• Timetabled for more than 12 hours per week
• On a course lasting a minimum of 10 weeks

Available to all 16-19 year olds or 24+ with an EHCP who satisfy the residency criteria and are in receipt of, or have parents, who are in receipt of either:

• Universal Credit
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

If you are under the age of 20 Care to Learn could pay up to £180 per child per week towards your Childcare and Travel costs while you are learning.

You will qualify for ‘Care to Learn’ if you can answer ‘yes’ to the following:

• Are you under 20 years old?
• Are you caring for your own child or children?
• Are you a British Citizen or member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and live in England?
• Is your childcare provision registered with OFSTED?

Advanced Learner Loan (Plan 5)

If you’re aged 19 or over and are thinking about a college course, you might qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan (Plan 5). It’s easy to apply for and you won’t have to pay anything back until you’re earning over £25,000 a year. Check out the Government website for details on how to apply.

What are Advanced Learner Loans?

Advanced Learner Loans help adult learners manage the costs of further education.

These loans cover tuition fees for a range of Level 3 to Level 6 courses, including:

• A-levels
• General and vocational qualifications
• Access to Higher Education diplomas

How much can I get?

The amount of tuition fee support you’re eligible for depends on:

• The course you want to study
• The fees charged by your college or training provider
• Maximum loan limits based on course type
• The minimum loan amount is £300
• The Student Loans Company pays your loan directly to your college throughout your study

Number of loans you can get

You can apply for up to four loans.

• There are no restrictions based on your previous qualifications
• You can only receive one loan for:
  • An Access to Higher Education diploma
  • A programme of A-levels

Can I apply for an Advanced Learner Loan?

Getting a loan:

• Does not depend on your income
• Is not subject to credit checks

You must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled at an approved college in England
• Be aged 19 or older on the first day of your course
• Have lived in the UK for the last three years
• Be a UK citizen or have settled status
• Be studying an eligible Level 3 to 6 qualification
• Apply before or during your course

Note:

You may also qualify if you are serving in the UK Armed Forces (or a family member living with them). Speak to the Learner Services HUB team for support.

How to apply

Follow these simple steps to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (Plan 5):

1. Apply for your course with your chosen college or training provider
2. Ask your college for a Learning and Funding Information Letter (this confirms your course details)
3. Apply online through Student Finance England via the GOV.UK website
4. Complete your application with your personal details and course information
5. Once approved, your loan will be paid directly to your college

Top tips:

• Apply as early as possible before your course starts
• Do not select the Higher Education tab, only select Further Education
• Make sure your personal details match official documents
• Keep a copy of your application confirmation

How will I pay back the loan? (Plan 5 repayment terms)

You will repay your loan under Plan 5 rules.

• You only start repaying when you earn over £25,000 per year
• Repayments are automatically deducted through your salary (like tax)
• You can repay early at any time with no penalties

If you leave or change your course after two weeks or more, you’ll need to repay any fees already paid.

• Any remaining balance is written off after 40 years

Repayment breakdown (examples)

Repayments are 9% of anything you earn above £25,000.

Yearly examples

Key points about repayments

• Payments are based on your income, not how much you borrowed
• If your income drops below the threshold, repayments stop automatically
• Payments are calculated per pay period (weekly, monthly, etc.)

Interest on your loan

• While studying and until the April after your course:
  • RPI + 3%

After that, interest depends on your income:

• Under £25,000 → RPI
• £25,000 to £47,835 → RPI + up to 3% (sliding scale)
• Over £47,835 → RPI + 3%

If you require any further information, please contact us via email using the email address:

advancedlearnerloans@southstaffs.ac.uk

If you are 19 or over you may be eligible for support through the 19+ Bursary Support to help you cover the cost of essential items for your course, e.g. kit, uniforms, travel or childcare.

What support could you receive?

If your personal income is £35,000 or below you may be eligible to financial support for:

• costs of essential equipment and uniform
• cost of mandatory trips to pass the course (this does not include trips that enhance the course, or any travel abroad)
• costs for travel if you live more than 1 mile from your base campus (this will be provided as a bus travel pass in most cases – where a bus pass is not available for your area support for the cost of other travel will be considered)
• childcare costs up to £180 per week

If you are under the age of 20 Care to Learn could pay up to £180.00 per child per week towards your Childcare and Travel costs while you are learning.

You will qualify for ‘Care to Learn’ if you can answer ‘yes’ to the following:

• Are you under 20 years old?
• Are you caring for your own child or children?
• Are you a British Citizen or member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and live in England?
• Is your childcare provision registered with OFSTED?