Financial Support
Student Finance Deadline Approaching!
It’s time to remind those of you starting university this autumn to APPLY NOW for your student finance. The deadlines to ensure that your funding is in place for the start of term are fast approaching. 31 May 2013 is the final deadline for applying for your student finance so, if you’re planning to start a full-time course at university or college later this year and haven’t applied yet for your student finance, go online and apply at www.gov.uk/studentfinance
If you don’t have a confirmed place – simply use your first choice of course and change it online at a later date if you need to. For those of you that are continuing students, 28 June 2013 is the final deadline for re-applying for your student finance so, if you’re returning to a full-time course at university or college later this year and haven’t applied yet for your student finance, go online today and apply at www.gov.uk/studentfinance
Bursary Fund and Benefits
Payments from the Bursary Fund may affect your entitlement to means-tested social security benefits, for example, income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit.
Those who are worried about the impact of the Bursary Fund on their benefits should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau or your Job Centre Plus contact.
How to apply
For eligibility and an application form, click on the links below after reading the following:
N.B. Please read the eligibility criteria before completing an application form. Please ensure you only complete the application form relevant to your age group. If you are applying for help with kit & uniform please enclose your completed kit & uniform order forms with your Bursary application.
Application forms can only be sent via the post and not sent electronically due to financial assessment checks.
16-18 Bursary (Guaranteed)
£1200 (divided into 11 payments or pro-rata paid 4 weekly to students in these groups:
o Young people in care
o Care Leavers
o Young people in receipt of Income support
o Disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.
Students in this category can spend their bursary on course & living costs.
16-18 Bursary (Main)
General 16-18 bursary comprises:
o Free Travel (must live more than one mile from campus)
o Free Kit & Books / Uniform (if applicable)
o One Free Meal a day (when in College)
o Free CRB (where applicable)
o Free Course Essential Trips.
N.B. The content of individual bursaries may vary.
16-18 Bursary Eligibility Guidance
16-18 Bursary Application Form
The 19+ Bursary (incl 20+ Childcare)
General 19+ bursary comprises:
o Free Travel (must live more than one mile from campus)
o Free Kit & Books / Uniform (if applicable) (book allowance applies on some courses)
o Free CRB (if applicable)
o Free Course Essential Trips
o AAT Fees
o One Free Meal a day (when in College)
N.B The content of individual bursaries may vary.
19+ Bursary (incl 20+ Childcare) Eligibility Guidance
19+ Bursary (incl 20+ Childcare) Application Form
20+ Childcare
20 Plus Childcare Bursary Guidance
20+ childcare bursary may be able to assist you with childcare finance.
Eligible groups:
o Income Support
o Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
o Employment & Support Allowance (income related)
o Pension Credit (minimum guarantee)
o Child / Working Tax Credit provided the annual income assessment does not exceed £22,000.
If you wish to appeal against a decision made about your bursary application or find out more information about the bursaries, please email: bursary@mkcollege.ac.uk
Alternatively, phone us on 01908 684364 or 01908 637326
Completed application forms can only be sent via the post and not sent electronically due to financial assessment checks.
Apply today to avoid delay!
Students who are eligible for funding may not necessarily receive a bursary as the amount of funding given to the College is finite and once it’s gone it’s gone, so apply early.
Any bursary awarded is for one academic year only.
We can also provide information and advice on the following government-run schemes.
Milton Keynes Grand Union Rotary Club Rotary Centenary Bursary
Do you know anybody that is in hardship and would benefit from a grant? If the answer is yes, download this application form now, or pop along to the Welfare & Bursary Office for further information!
HE Students AY 2013/4
If you’ve not applied for funding and want to ensure that this is in place for the start of your course, please ensure that you apply for your student finance loan by the 31st May.
NB You can still apply for funding after this date but they won’t be able to guarantee that your funding will be in place at the start of your course.
HE Returning Students AY 2013/4
Please remember that for those of you returning for your second or final year in September, applications and evidence will need to be submitted to student finance by no later than 28 June 2013.
If you need 1-1 application support please pop in to the Welfare & Bursary Office at CW Room G36A or Ble Room 104 .
For further information and to apply please visit www.gov.uk/studentfinance
Query about Student Finance?
SFE host regular ‘Student Finance Surgeries’ to help.
A weekly session is hosted on The Student Room at www.thestudentroom/studentfinancesurgery as well as regular sessions on the SFE Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SFEngland. You can also follow Student Finance on twitter at www.twitter.com/SF_England
For further information and to apply please visit www.gov.uk/studentfinance
Professional Career Development Loan (PCDL)
Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work-related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year's relevant unpaid practical work).
The Young People's Learning Agency will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards, and can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries.
Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated. For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900. Our learning provider registration number is: 6064.
24+ Advanced Learning Loans
This has been introduced for learners aged 24 and above, who are in further education and training studying at level3 and above (including advanced and higher apprenticeships) and whose course or programme starts on, or after 1st August 2013. Application forms will be available in April 2013.
For further information please see the attached link 24+ Criteria or click through to the main page.
Care to Learn
If you are under the age of 20, Care to learn can help pay for your childcare costs whilst you learn.
For further information call 0800 121 8989.
