SCOLA Support Fund
(for non-accredited courses - course fees only)

Applications are limited to a maximum of two different courses in one academic year, normally with a maximum total amount of £125.
A contribution will be expected from the student.

 

Discretionary Learner Support Fund (DLSF)
(for accredited courses)

 Applications are limited to a maximum of two different courses in one academic year, normally with a maximumtotal amount of £200 towards course/exam fees, childcare, books, materials and travel. A contribution will be expected from the student. It should be noted that funds are limited, and once the Fund has been allocated, it will not be possible to consider further applications.

The Fund is available as follows:

Tuition/Exam fees
Paid directly on the student’s behalf if the student is not in receipt of a means-tested benefit and therefore not eligible for fee remission, but is on a low income. Students in receipt of means-tested benefits are not eligible to apply for help with course and exam fees.

Priority is given to the following students:

• those studying for their first full Level 2
• those studying for their first full Level 3, if aged 19-25 years
• those with a household income (gross) of less than £15,500
• those who have recently been made redundant but are not eligible for JSA or means tested benefits
• those who have been out of work more than six months and not in receipt of JSA or means tested benefits
• those who can show a sudden reduction income due to a change in personal circumstances

Evidence will be required at the time of application .

 

Childcare
Paid directly to an OFSTED registered childcare provider on the student’s behalf. Priority will be given to students attending Level 2 GCSE English/Maths or Skills for Life English/Maths, as well as those students listed above.

 

Materials, books, equipment
All students may apply for this help and their application will be considered by the Panel.
The Fund will not be used for stationery items (eg pens, binders). It should be noted books/equipment/materials remain the property of the College and should as far as possible be returned at the end of the course, with the exception of ITEC equipment and Floristry materials.

 

Travel
Assistance may be given towards the cost of travel by public transport (or equivalent cost if student is using their own car), provided a student cannot study for the same course nearer to their home. Payment will be made on production of receipts.

 

Additional Funding for ESOL Provision:

Students applying for Skills for Life English (ESOL) courses who are not eligible to claim fee remission and are on a low income may apply for help from the ESOL Additional Learner Support Fund, which is for course/exam fees only. This fund is limited and once the allocation has been used, ESOL students will need to apply to the general DLSF for support.

 

Additional information:

If your application is agreed and funded, but you withdraw from the course before completion, you will be required to repay the amount paid on your behalf, and you will not normally be able to make further applications for help from the Fund. If you find you must withdraw, you should contact the DLSF Administrator to explain the reasons.

If your application is for an accredited course, you must take the appropriate exam.
If you apply for funding from both the DLSF and the SCOLA Support Fund, the limit on a maximum of two courses still applies.

The Panel will endeavour to prioritise those applications which may lead to qualifications or employment opportunities. Students wishing to continue the same subject from one year to the next must show progression; funding will not normally be awarded to repeat the same level in the same subject.
If an application is denied, applicants may re-submit no sooner than the following term.

The following benefits are means-tested:

• Job Seekers Allowance
• Council Tax Benefit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Employment Support Allowance
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Working Tax Credits

The following are NOT means-tested:

• Child Tax Credits
• State retirement pension
• Disability Living Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Maternity Allowance

 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for financial help you must be an enrolled student of the college attending a course, and in addition one of the following:

• have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EU throughout the three year period preceding the first day of the academic year, other than wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education;
• be ordinarily resident in England and Wales;
• be settled in the United Kingdom under the terms of the Immigration Act 1971, in other words ordinarily resident without being subject to any restriction on the period for which you may stay;
• have been given Refugee status;
• have been granted Exceptional or Indefinite Leave to Remain, Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary leave, but have been resident in the EU/EEA for the three year period preceding the first day of the academic year.

We regret that Learning & Skills Council guidance states that the Discretionary Learner Support Fund is not available to Asylum Seekers over the age of 19 years.

 

Download Financial Support Form & Guidance here >>

The fully completed application form and attachments should be forwarded to:
Discretionary Learner Support Fund Administrator, SCOLA, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, SM1 1EA.