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Student Services Student Funding Non-advanced Courses
Student Services Student Funding Non-advanced Courses
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Bursary support may be available for a course that leads to an apporved vocational qualification up to, but not including, Higher National Certificate. Full-time Bursaries / Education Maintenance Allowance
Generally, Bursaries (EMAs for under 18s) are awarded to support full-time attendance on a course which involves attendance of 19.5 hours or more per week for a full academic year. Students who satisfy the residence criteria for bursary support will not have to pay tuition fees. In addition, students may qualify for maintenance allowance, study expenses, travelling expenses and additional expenses for those students with additional support needs. Part-time BursariesCertain categories of part-time students on non-advanced courses may apply for assistance with travel costs, and course expenses. For more information, contact the College Bursary Officer.BURSARY / EMA GUIDELINES
These guidelines are for the completion of the Bursary and Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) application forms and provide information that will help you understand the conditions attached to the award of a Bursary or Educational Maintenance Allowance. If you require a large text version of these guidelines, please contact the Bursary Office. The guidelines do not cover the full range of personal circumstances and, for those who wish a copy, the full policy documents on Bursaries and EMAs are available from the Bursary Officer or from the Scottish Further Education Funding Council's website www.sfc.ac.uk. Both Bursaries and EMAs are assessed in accordance with national and College policies and rules. FREEPOST RRTG-RCRT-HJTC, South Lanarkshire College , Bursary Office, College Way, East Kilbride G75 0NE T: 01355 807780 F: 01355 807781 E: bursaries@slc.ac.uk 1 What is a Bursary / EMA?A Bursary is a discretionary award given by the College to help maintain a student beyond the statutory school leaving date. www.sfc.ac.uk/information/information_funding/student_support.html.pdfAn Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly allowance, payable to a young student during term-time, with additional bonuses payable for attendance and achievement. www.emascotland.com/admindocuments.htm back to top 2 Who can apply?Bursary: In most cases, if you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years prior to your date of application, and are resident in Scotland prior to the start of your course, you are likely to be eligible. There are a number of special cases in relation to residency requirements and we can give you further information and guidance if you think that this issue may affect you.EMA: In order to qualify for an EMA from August of any given year, applicants currently must be 16 years of age and normally have completed S4 prior to the commencement of the award. back to top 3 Which courses are eligible for support?Bursary: Full-time courses, involving attendance of at least 19 hours per week, which lead to an approved vocational qualification up to but not including Higher National Certificate level. Bursary support may also be awarded to cover travel expenses for attendance on a part-time course of study. Some short full-time and introductory programmes may also be approved for Bursary support. A full list of programmes is available from the Bursary Officer.EMA: Normally, any full-time course of study (19+ hours or more of guided learning per week) leading to a recognised qualification up to SVQ level 3 In both cases, support is offered where no alternative source of funding is available. back to top 4 For how long will I receive support?Bursary: Normally one year, although the College may authorise additional support for some courses, up to a maximum of three years.EMA: Normally a maximum of two years. Students with a learning difficulty or disability may receive support for additional years. back to top 5 What if I have studied before?Bursary:Bursaries will not normally be available for those who have previously received financial support for a full time course beyond the age of 18 years. In special circumstances the College may make a second award if there are fair and good reasons for doing so. These ircumstances are outlined in the Bursary Policy Document. The College has access to a national database of information on previous student awards that will be used to vet applications. back to top 6 When should I apply?Bursary / EMA: You should apply as soon as you accept your offer of a place on a College course. The Bursary Officer must receive all applications no later than six weeks after the date your course started. You should aim to submit your application at least four weeks before the start of your course. Failure to do so may result in your having to start your course without knowing whether you will receive an award / the level of funding you will receive. Closing dates for both Bursary and EMA applications - no later than SIX weeks* after the date tuition commenced on your course of study. You should note that this may not be the date that you started the course. *applications received after that date may not be accepted and cannot be backdated.back to top 7 What kind of information will I be asked to provide?You will need to provide the following types of information. A checklist is provided to help you ensure that you do not omit anything. Please note that if you do not supply the information and/or original documents requested then your application cannot be processed and you may not have your funding in place for the start of your course. If you are awaiting supporting documents from another source eg DWP or Tax Office, submit your application with a note of when you expect to be able to submit the additional evidence. Personal details: name, age, address, NI number, marital status Bank account details Your own income Your parents' / partner's / spouse's income Details of any DSS / DWP benefits Previous financial support for education Details on any dependants Details of your proposed travel arrangements Details on your planned course of study.back to top 8 How will the information be processed?All information will be treated confidentially and when processed, it will be stored on computer within the College Management Information System under the terms of the Data Protection Act (1984). The College contributes to and has access to a national database of student award information that may be used to verify your application details.back to top 9 How will my application be assessed?Applications will be assessed based on total income (own income or parental income or spouse's income as appropriate) based on the previous tax year (i.e. the tax year ending on 5 April 2009). Only original documents can be accepted (i.e. photocopies are not accepted).back to top 10 What will the Bursary / EMA award consist of?Bursary: According to the needs of the individual, the bursary may include sums to cover the costs of EMA: The Education Maintenance Allowance is only payable during term time and is not payable during College holiday periods within or outwith the academic year. Students being supported by an EMA may be given an award for Travel and/or Course Expenses from the Bursary Fund.back to top 11 How much will I receive?Bursary: There are three categories of bursary depending on your age. A parental / spousal contribution is assessed on all bursaries except where an applicant qualifies for independent status as a self-supporting student and in this case it is the student's own income which will be assessed using Scale 3 (see below).Category A: Student who is under 18 but beyond the compulsory school leaving date on the start date of their course. Please note that 16-year-old students will now be offered an EMA instead of a Category A Maintenance Allowance (see below). Category B: Student who is over 18 but under 25 on the start date of their course. Category C: Student who is 25 or over on the start date of their course or who is under 25 but satisfies the criteria for 'independent status'. The national bursary basic rate for each category of bursary is shown below. These rates will be adjusted to take account of any financial contribution that you, your parents or partner could reasonably be expected to make towards your expenses. Assessment of this contribution is made against the gross aggregated income of both parents, partner or the applicant, as appropriate. back to top
EMA: The full EMA allowance is £30 per week. The actual amount of the individual award is dependant on household income. EMA is normally awarded where household income does not exceed £20,351 (or £22,403 for families with more than one child in full-time educaiton). The £10 and £20 per week payment will not be available to new entrants. www.emascotland.com/admindocuments.htm Any information on EMAs included on this website was based on the data available at the time of publication and is therefore subject to change. back to top 12 How will I be paid?All payments are made directly into your bank account through the Banks Automated Credit Transfer System.Bursary: On a four-weekly basis (usually on a Thursday) EMA: On a two-weekly basis in arrears (usually on a Friday) back to top 13 Can I appeal?Bursaries and EMAs are assessed in accordance with national and College policies and rules. There is an appeals procedure and further information on this is available from the Bursary Officer. All appeals should be made in writing to the Head of Student Services and must be accompanied by supporting evidence.back to top 14 What are my responsibilities?When you accept an offer of funding (Bursary or EMA), you enter into an Agreement with the College. The offer letter will detail these conditions and your responsibilities relevant to these respective funds. If you fail to meet these requirements, the College may withdraw the award and cancel any future payments and require a refund of any sums already paid. All funding is subject to satisfactory conduct, progress and attendance at College. You are expected to have 100% attendance at College. If you are absent you must submit a medical certificate from your doctor within 7 days of your last date of attendance. (A doctor's Certificate for absences of more than 1 week, college Self-certificate if less than 1 week). If you have been absent for 2 weeks without contacting the College and submitting a medical certificate you will be deemed to have withdrawn from the course from your last date of attendance and you will require to repay any money paid to you during that period. You will receive full Conditions of Award with your award assessment.back to top 15 What if I am currently in receipt of DWP benefits?Students are not normally entitled to receive DWP benefits and full bursary maintenance allowance. Students, their partners and especially lone parent and disabled students who have a right to claim DWP benefits and who are NOT required to register as being available for work while on a full-time college course, may submit and application for bursary support to assist with the cost of necessary books, equipment and travel. This payment will not adversely affect the long-term benefit rights of applicants and their partners.back to top 16 ChildcareIf you require to pay for registered childcare for the times when you are attending College, you may receive assistance towards these costs. You should complete the childcare section of the application form and provide details of costs from the registered childcare provider. There is no entitlement to childcare assistance where an alternative source of funding exists. These alternatives may include childcare payments via the Inland Revenue's Tax Credit Scheme and in the case of lone-parents, childcare assistance via the New Deal for Lone-parents Scheme.back to top 17 DefinitionsStart date of course - the date the course started which may not necessarily be the date that the student started on the course.Parent - parent or legal guardian Independent status - Students aged 25 or over at the start date of the course Students who are not 25 at the start date of the course may also be deemed independent or self-supporting if they can provide evidence of one of the following: they have no parents living OR they have been self-supporting for a period amounting to no less than 3 years in employment (earning more than the current income support levels) in receipt of DWP benefits including sickness, invalidity, incapacity, maternity, severe disablement, jobseekers, income support, New Deal payments on a training programme operated on behalf of Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise or the Employment Service caring for a dependant who is under 18 years of age Married / Partner - The student or parent is legally married or living with a partner* in an established relationship at the start date of the course. A college is advised that the onus is on the student to prove they are in an established relationship if that student wishes to be considered as a self-supporting student on that basis. This proof will require documentary evidence such as a marriage certificate, a recent Council Tax bill or an official letter that clearly states the couple's names and address. back to top |
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