information sheet and application form - Yeovil College

19+ Adult Discretionary Support Fund 2013/2014Information SheetDiscretionary Support Funds are provided by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) in order to helpsupport Learners with costs which may prevent them from participating in learning.Monies can be awarded for course-related costs including:course trips ● books ● equipment ● qualification fees ● childcare (20+ only) ● transportcosts ● emergency domestic supportThe fund available for adult learners is called the: 19+ Adult Discretionary Support FundBefore allocating an award a financial assessment will be made, but please note learners whoare eligible are not automatically entitled.Who is eligible?If you are aged 19 or over on the 31st August 2013, meet the SFA funding eligibility rules and studying a fundedadult further education and skills course, then you may be eligible for the 19+ Adult Discretionary Support Fund.This does not cover students 24+ who are attending a course at Level 3 or above and eligible for 24+ AdvancedLearning Loan.19+ Adult Discretionary Support FundThese are awarded to learners (part-time or full-time) who are: Living in the parental home and can provide evidence of personal income below £21,000 Living independently or with a spouse/partner and can provide evidence of household!The Discretionary Support Funds are conditional on students meeting collegestandards:• attendance must be at least 80% (unless there are exceptional medical or extenuatingcircumstances)• behaviour must meet Respect at College Policy (concern notes are monitored)income below £31,000The 19+ Adult Discretionary Support Fund is financially assessed and we therefore ask applicants to declareand enclose evidence of household income with their application form. Evidence of household income mayinclude photocopies of P60(s) or audited accounts if self-employed, Tax Credit Award Notice(s), BenefitEntitlement letters and/or bank statements to show any other income such as maintenance payments. Further1Pleaseread theseguidelines carefully.2Completethe applicationform and enclose evidence.Return to Student Servicesby 1st November 2013.3Wewill contact you, by post,within 6 weeks of receiving yourcompleted application. Theletter will confirm whether or notyou are eligible.

Financial Support for ChildcareLearners aged 20 or over on the 31st August 2013 may apply to the 19+ Adult Discretionary Support Fund for childcare assistancewhile attending their chosen course. It may only be used to fund childcare from a childcare provider who is Ofsted registered, butlearners are free to use the childcare provision of their choice. This is not applicable to over 24’s who are attending a course at Level3 or above and eligible for 24+ Advanced Learning Loan.Any childcare agreement or contract is between the childcare provider and the learner. This includes all invoicing and payment terms.Learners are required to provide their invoice as soon as possible and payments will be made in arrears. Payments will be madepayable to the childcare provider but must be collected by the learner. No transactions will take place between the childcare providerand the college directly.Payments will be made for actual study hours but can include time spent on compulsory work placements which are required for thecourse. If attendance falls below 80%, without an approved explanation, we reserve the right to suspend payments. Retainers overcollege holidays can be paid but please note retainers over the summer holiday period will not be covered.Learners aged under 20 on the 31st August 2013 should apply directly to Care to Learn for funding: 0845 121 8989FAQsWhat emergency domestic support can the fund be used for?Funds can be used to provide temporary support with domestic emergencies and short term emergency accommodation whilstbenefit support is awaited. This will be assessed on an individual basis and will be awarded at the discretion of the StudentServices Co-ordinator.If I am eligible, how often will I receive my payments?Providing attendance and behaviour meets college requirements, you will receive ten payments throughout the academic year.What if my circumstances change during the course?If during the course, your circumstances change significantly or you are experiencing extreme financial hardship, you shouldcontact your tutor or the Student Services Office for advice.Can I appeal if my application is unsuccessful?!Payments received from 19+ Adult Discretionary Support Funds mustbe declared if you are in receipt of welfare benefitsIf you wish to appeal, you should do so in writing, giving details of any special circumstances that apply. Your appeal will beinvestigated and a decision confirmed in writing within 10 working days. Please address appeals to: Vice Principal, Resources,Yeovil College, Mudford Road, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 4DREligibility Factors: Age, Learning Programme, ResidencyEligibilityFactors:Age:ValidLearningProgramme/CourseLearner is eligible to apply for assistance if:Aged 19 or over on 31st August 2013Attending a funded adult Further Education (FE) course or an AdultSkills course Learner Provision.Learner NOT eligible for assistance if:Learner is under 19 on the 31st August 2013 (the learnermay then be eligible for the 16-19 Discretionary Bursary) orover 24 who are attending a course at Level 3 or aboveand eligible for 24+ Advanced Learning Loan.Attending a waged apprenticeship programme or receivingassistance from other Government schemesParticipating in a Higher Education (HE) programme(contact UCY on 01935 845454)ResidencyHave been living in the United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU) orEuropean Economic Area (EEA) for at least 3 years before 1stSeptember 2013, for purposes other than education. In addition to thisyou must have ‘settled status’ having either indefinite leave to enter orremain or having the right of abode in the UK. If you are married andyour spouse satisfies the above criteria you will need to have beenresident in the UK, for at least 1 year before 1st September 2013. Otherlearners such as Asylum seekers or learners with recognised refugeestatus may also be eligible please contact Student Services for fulldetails.Learner fails to meet the funding criteria set out in the SFAFunding Rules 2013/2014Please call to request larger text or alternative format forms: 01935 423921

ForCollegeDate Received:Student PC:Bursary ID:19+ Adult Discretionary Support Fund Application Form 2013/2014Closing Date:1st November 2013 (completed applications are assessed in the order received).Some questions ask you to include evidence with your application (if applicable to learner/learner’s household).Learner DetailsFirst Name(s):Surname:Date of Birth: Age at 31 August 2013:Address:Home No:Mobile No:Email:Eligibility ChecksTick as applicable to the learnerAre you attending a funded adult Further Education (FE) course or an Adult Skillscourse programme during the 2013/2014 academic year?Are you attending a waged Apprenticeship or a Higher Education (HE)programme during the 2013/2014 academic year?Have you been ordinarily resident in the UK, EU or EEA between 1st September2010 and 31 August 2013 and have “settled” status?Are you aged 19-24 on the 31st August 2013Are you 24+ on the 31 August 2013 and studying at Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2?Are you 24+ and studying at Level 3 or above?Childcare ExpensesYESYESYESYESYESYESNONONONONOIf yes you are noteligible for this fundplease use 24+Application formTick as appropriate to you, the learner, and provide details of childcare provider if applicable.Do you require Learner Support 20+ Childcare Assistance? Yes NoChildcare Provider’s Name:Ofsted Registration No:Childcare Provider’s Address:

Learner’s Financial RequirementsDo you live over 3 miles (4.8km) from college? Yes NoHow many days per week are you expecting to attend college?Do you feel you will be prevented from participating in learning due to the cost of transport to college? Yes NoPlease provide information about the costs you expect to have this academic year:Please enclose receipts or invoices as evidence of expenses, these must be provided for payments to be made.Learner’s Expenses Details Amount (£)TransportQualification FeesBooks and EquipmentTripsOtherHousehold StatusTick as applicable to the learner Living independently Living with parent(s) Living with spouse/partnerOther (please state)Personal and Household Income (MUST be included in order to proceed with assessment)Please provide details of household income (not including parental income). Tick all that apply and enclose photocopies as evidence. I live with my parent(s) and receive no income I enclose a copy of 2012/2013 P60(s) for myself and/or my partner I enclose a copy of audited accounts (2012/2013) for myself and/or my partner whose self-employed I enclose a copy of the 2013/2014 Tax Credit Award Notice(s) for myself and/or my partner I enclose a copy of benefit entitlement letter(s) for myself and/or my partner. Examples of benefits: Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit Employment Support Allowance (ESA) Housing Benefit Income Support (IS) Council Tax Benefit Incapacity Benefit Child Benefit Universal Credit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) I enclose evidence of all other household income e.g. maintenance payments highlighted on bank statementsIf you have any queries please contact Student and Customer Services:Telephone. 01935 423921

Learner and Parent/Guardian DeclarationI/we certify that the information given is, to the best of my/our knowledge and belief, correct.I/we understand that it may be necessary for the College to use the information given, or share the informationprovided, with other organisations to prevent and detect fraud.I/we understand that all information and documentation included with this form will be kept in accordance with the DataProtection Act and will be kept for a period of at least 7 years.I/we understand that should the learners attendance fall below 80% payments will not be made for that month.Learner’s Signature:Date:Childcare DeclarationChildcare will only be awarded to fund Childcare with a provider who is Ofsted registered.Payments towards childcare costs will only be made for timetabled sessions, but can also include time spent oncompulsory work placements and retainer fees.Payments for your childcare costs will be paid in arrears on production of a monthly invoiceCheques will be raised and made payable to the childcare provider. It is the learner’s responsibility to collect thecheque and pay the childcare provider the remaining balance. Our agreement is with the learner and not the childcareprovider.I understand that should the learner’s attendance fall below 80% payments will not be made for that month.It is your responsibility to inform us of any changes to your timetable or childcare arrangements.I understand the terms and conditions of the application and hereby agree to them (otherwise the application becomesvoid). I also understand that the completion of this application does not automatically entitle me to financial assistancewith childcare and I will be contacted with the outcome of my application.Learner’s Signature:Date:Learners can return this form to Student and Customer Services or return by postto the address below:(Please remember to enclose evidence otherwise we can not assess yourapplication)19+ Adult Discretionary Support FundStudent and customer ServicesYeovil CollegeMudford RoadYeovilSomerset BA21 4DRBA21 4DR