Other funding

Further Education Discretionary Fund Allocation Guidelines

Full-Time Further Education Students

Award Category	Maximum Weekly Amount (£)
Accommodation	£70.00 for single students not in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit payments for housing costs.
Travel	£20.00
Emergency Hardship	£300.00 one-off payment for students with household income less than £30,000 per year (Maximum 1 payment per term).
Books/Materials	One-off payment as applicable for the course.
Childcare	Variable up to a maximum award of £4,000 per Academic Year.

The maximum weekly amounts above may be waived at the discretion of the Director of Student Experience and/or Student Funding Adviser and students may receive an award under more than one of the above categories.

Emergency Hardship payments are made in a single instalment.  Students may make second or subsequent applications for an Emergency Hardship payment (one per term).

Payments for accommodation, travel or childcare are generally made monthly from September – May, although applications received after 1 December 2024 may not be backdated.  Childcare payments are made direct to the childcare provider.

Discretionary Funds are intended to be for students in financial hardship and are not considered to be an entitlement.  As such, we will look at all household income and expenditure when deciding how to allocate Discretionary Funds.

 

Part-Time Further Education Students

Award Category	Maximum Weekly Amount (£)
Books/materials	One-off payment as applicable for the course.
Travel	£20.00
Emergency Hardship	£300.00 one-off payment for students with household income less than £30,000 per year (Maximum 1 payment per term).
Childcare	Variable up to a maximum award of £4,000 per Academic Year.

The maximum weekly amounts above may be waived at the discretion of the Director of Student Experience and/or Student Funding Adviser and students may receive an award under more than one of the above categories.

Emergency Hardship payments are made in a single instalment.  Students may make second or subsequent applications for an Emergency Hardship payment (one per term).

Payments for travel or childcare are generally made monthly from September – May, although applications received after 1 December 2024 may not be backdated.  Childcare payments are made direct to the childcare provider.

Discretionary Funds are intended to be for students in financial hardship and are not considered to be an entitlement.  As such, we will look at all household income and expenditure when deciding how to allocate Discretionary Funds.

Higher Education Discretionary Fund Allocation Guidelines

Full-Time Higher Education Students

Award Category	Maximum Weekly Amount (£)
Accommodation	£45.00 for single students not in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit payments for housing costs.
Travel	£20.00
Emergency Hardship	£300.00 one-off payment for students with household income less than £30,000 per year (Maximum 1 payment per term).
Childcare (for students not eligible for Childcare Fund)	As per Childcare Fund guidelines, up to a maximum award of £3,000 per Academic Year.

Part-Time Higher Education Students

Award Category	Maximum Weekly Amount (£)
Books/materials	One-off payment as applicable for the course.
Travel	£20.00
Emergency Hardship	£300.00 one-off payment for students with household income less than £30,000 per year (Maximum 1 payment per term).
Childcare	As per Childcare Fund guidelines, up to a maximum award of £3,000 per Academic Year.

Childcare Fund Income Eligibility Criteria

Applications for assistance from the Childcare Fund will be considered on the receipt of all documentation requested.  As funds are limited, you are encouraged to apply for your funding early.

What you need to know:

• Payment will be made to childcare providers rather than students.
• You must use Care Inspectorate registered formal childcare providers.
• Payment is for timetabled class hours only during term time.

The College will consider Childcare Fund awards under the following criteria:

Full-time Study – Weekly Childcare Fund Contribution Rate

Student's Household Income	% of eligible childcare costs paid
£0 – £50,000	100%
£50,001 – £65,000	50%
Over £65,000	0%

Part-time Study – Daily Childcare Fund Contribution Rate

Student's Household Income	% of eligible childcare costs paid
£0 – £50,000	100%
£50,001 – £65,000	50%
Over £65,000	0%

Notes regarding Childcare Fund awards.

• It is expected that parents will use the Government Funded nursery provision for
  3 – 5 year olds.
• Childcare awards can be adjusted for weeks on placement.
• Payment can also be made when childcare is required due to course exams or assessments.
• Part-time Higher Education students are not eligible for support from the Childcare Fund and should apply to the Higher Education Discretionary Fund for assistance.
• Where your course is timetabled but the school is on holiday or has in-service days, your childcare award can be adjusted for the additional hours.
• Award payments are for the duration of the academic year (your letter will show a total award for the year).
• The income scales above may be waived at the discretion of the Director of Student Experience and/or Student Funding Adviser depending on student circumstances.