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Adult Discretionary Learner Support Fund

ADULT LEARNER SUPPORT FUND CRITERIA

INELIGIBLE STUDENTS

There are certain categories of student that are not able to claim student support funds. These are:

• Students who are not considered to be part of the home population – to qualify there is normally a need to have been resident in this country or the EEA for a minimum of 3 years.
• Students with less than 85% attendance and/or who are not making satisfactory progress
• Students on a Higher Education course
• Apprenticeship students
• Students on a recreational programme or non Government funded courses

STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO THE FUND

An eligible student is a student who is enrolled with Petroc on a part-time or full-time course who is not classed as ineligible (see above) and who meets one of the following criteria listed below and on the next page:

(1) In receipt of one of the means tested benefits listed below (or be a dependant partner of a person receiving one of the benefits below and included in that benefit award).

• Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit
• Income Support
• Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based)
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
• Working Tax Credit (with an annual income for the previous year showing on the award of under £15,276.00)
• For help with the cost of a bus pass there is one extra criteria that can also be used, shown below (this criteria does not count for help with other course costs):
• Child Tax Credit providing there is no Working Tax Credits and an annual income on the award of under £16,190.00 (for help with bus pass only)

(2) On a low income. A low income is defined as:

• Single students with a gross annual income of no more than £11,000.00
• Lone parents or couples with a gross annual income of no more than £15,000.00 (plus an additional £1,500 for each dependent child aged under 19 and in full time education)

Please note, when calculating gross annual income ignore any Disability Living Allowance. All other income is taken into account (for both the student and their partner if applicable) including the following types of income: Earnings; Spousal or Child Maintenance; Working Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; Child Benefit; Carers Allowance; Employment Support Allowance; Incapacity Benefit ; Statutory or Employer’s Sick/Maternity Pay; Jobseekers Allowance; Pension Credit; State Pension; Work pension; Industrial Injuries Benefit; any other benefit (except DLA which is ignored) or any other income that you receive.

For self employed students or their dependants, the gross earnings will be calculated from audited accounts and any essential business expenses will be deducted.

Important

The Learner Support Fund is a finite amount of money and will be issued on a first come first served basis. All applications will be means tested against the criteria above and a decision on entitlement will not be made until we have received a fully completed form and supporting evidence of benefits/income. Part of the decision making process will be to ensure that there are remaining funds to allocate

SUPPORT AVAILABLE – FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS

Registration and examination fees

Students will be expected to pay 20% of registration and examination fees. The Learner Support Fund will cover the remaining 80% of the fees

Tuition Fees

Students who do not satisfy the criteria for full fee remission will be expected to pay 20% of the tuition fees.  The Learner Support Fund will cover the remaining 80% of the fees.

Transport

Students can apply for help with either a bus pass or the cost of petrol.

• Bus pass

The cost of a bus pass will be reduced to £50 for adult students who live more than 3 miles from College. Cost is pro-rata for part time students. Please contact the guidance Centre to apply for a Bus Pass.

• Petrol costs

Petrol costs up to a maximum of £100 per year for adult students who live more than 3 miles from College.  If there is no easily accessible bus route, this may be extended to £150 per year. Costs are pro-rata for part time students.

• Students with disabilities

Transport costs for students with disabilities who cannot access public transport can be applied for up to a maximum of £500

Essential Equipment, Books, Studio Fees & Materials Fee

The course tutor must supply the Guidance Centre at Barnstaple or Tiverton with a detailed breakdown of essential equipment and general course costs. Under these circumstances support can be given up to 75% of the *full cost of essential equipment once it has been established that the student has at least 85% attendance. * In some cases the full cost of essential equipment may be capped

Specialist equipment for Students with disabilities

There is no ceiling in this category but an assessment will be made based on individual needs. Any equipment purchased under this category will be for the exclusive use of the student during their time at College. On completion of the course the equipment will remain with the College.

Educational Visits/Trips

50% of the cost of trips organised as part of the student’s programme can be covered up to a maximum of £75 in total.

International Exchange Trips organised as part of the student’s programme

50% of the cost of International Exchange trips organised as part of the student’s programme can be covered up to a maximum of £150 in total.

Residential

50% of the cost of a residential organised as part of the student’s programme can be covered up to a maximum of £100 in total.

Childcare Support

The maximum childcare support is £150 per week for the first child and £75 per week for each additional child. For part-time students the maximum amount will be pro-rata based on the hours of attendance. Students will be required to pay a 10% contribution towards the cost of the childcare. Childcare support can be used to support the costs of any form of formal registered childcare. This includes nursery, crèche, and child minder or out of school hours place. Childcare costs cannot be paid to people who are not registered i.e. to friends or relatives All childcare costs will be paid to the registered person/organisation. Childcare payments will normally only be made during term time, to cover sessions when the student is attending their course

Interview Expenses

For university or employment interviews up to £100 in total can be considered in cases of extreme hardship.

Hardship

Students who are suffering severe financial hardship may be able to access help via the Student Support Team. If you require their assistance please contact them on 01271 338055 at Barnstaple or 01884 235330 at Tiverton.

GENERAL NOTE

All Learner Support funds are given on the understanding that a student:

• Has a minimum of 85% attendance on their course and
• Is making good progress and
• Completes the course.

If any of the above criteria is not met then the student will be liable to pay back any awards made to them from the Learner Support Fund.

Students will not usually be eligible for more than £600 from the Learner Support fund in any one academic year (excluding money for childcare).

All allocations are made subject to funds being available; as this is a finite fund there may be occasions when applications are reduced to allow fair allocations of the funds.

Learner Support funds will be made available for special circumstances when accompanied by a letter of support from the Student Support Team. This will be based on meeting the needs of students, who without this special support, would be unable to continue their course of studies.

Appeals Procedure

Students have the right to appeal against any decision made in connection with their Learner Support Fund application.

Students wishing to appeal should put the details of their concern in writing. The appeals panel will be convened within 5 working days from the following personnel: A Head School, a member of the Student Executive and a member of the Student Support Team. The result of this appeal will be given in writing within 10 working days of the receipt of the student’s appeal letter.

How to Apply

If you meet any of the criteria mentioned above and would like to apply for assistance please follow the link below to apply.

Log in to My Petroc to complete the Adult Learner Support Fund Application form

Once you have completed the form you must take the evidence of your benefit or low income to either the Guidance Centre in Barnstaple or Tiverton where your application can be approved.  Without this evidence your application will not be processed and funds will not be available.

The fund is a finite amount of money and therefore will be allocated on a first come first served basis, completion of the application form does not guarantee funds. To qualify students must also have full attendance and be making satisfactory progress.