Student Finance

Click on the following links for further information:

• For Sixth Formers staying on at school
• Students attending courses at college (FE)
• Dance & Drama Awards (FE)
• Students attending full-time courses of Higher Education (Post A level)
• Part-time students
• Grants for disabled postgraduate students
• Contact List

For Sixth Formers Staying On At School

There are two forms of financial assistance for pupils who attend sixth form courses at a school. One is a locally provided fund and one a national scheme:

• A Post-16 Learner Support Fund for pupils in schools is available to provide further financial assistance to pupils who remain in school beyond compulsory school age and who may experience difficulty meeting the costs incurred by attendance on the course. Students will qualify for this support if their family income is below £30,811. Each applicant will be required to make a written, detailed case for assistance and have it verified by their school. Examples of the type of assistance available are - books and special equipment, childcare, additional course costs, such as field trips. There are specific eligibility criteria for assistance and, if interested, you can pick up an Application for Bracknell Forest Learner Support Funds from your school, or phone the Bracknell Forest Student Finance Team on 01344 354026 for further details and an application form. Please also see Notes on Post 16 Learner Support Fund 2007 to 2008 (102kb) for more in depth information. The deadline for these applications is one month before the end of the academic year.
  
• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) - this scheme provides weekly payments and bonuses.  It is means tested and allowances are assessed on household incomes.  This scheme is not administered by the Local Authority and further information can be obtained from the EMA website

Students Attending Courses at College (Further Education)

Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges will have an FE Access Fund for their own students. Ask your college for a copy of the policy they use for allocating Access Funds - this should give you an idea as to whether your application is likely to be successful. Like the Post-16 Learner Support Funds for pupils staying on at school, this money can contribute towards any of the costs associated with your studies.

Dance and Drama Awards (Further Education)

You should ask for an application pack from the college you intend to study at and then return it to Manchester City Council as they are responsible for administering all dance and drama award applicants. For further information contact dada@lsc.gov.uk.

Students Attending Full-Time Courses of Higher Education (Post-A' Level)

The first consideration after students have secured a place at their chosen University or College is usually the cost of attending the course. There is a student finance package for students attending institutions of higher education. This is assessed by the Local Authority in conjunction with the Student Loans Company. Students can apply for support towards tuition fees, living costs and for supplementary grants, such as a grant for dependant children, travel expenditure and Disabled Students' Allowance. If you are thinking about starting a course of higher education (i.e. degree, HND, HNC, CertEd or PGCE) this coming academic year, or you have already started your course but haven't applied for funding yet, please contact the Student Finance Team for an application form. Part of the eligibility criteria is that you must be resident in the Bracknell Forest area at the time of applying. If this is the case, please ring 01344 354026 (Surnames A-M) or 01344 354025 (Surnames N-Z).

Part-Time Students

If you are a part time student in Higher Education financial help may be available towards your tuition fees and other course related costs.

Eligibility for this support will depend on your personal circumstances and the course you are studying.  The support currently available, if you are eligible, is a small grant towards course related costs and a grant towards fees paid directly to your university.

For further information contact the Student Finance Team.

Grants for Disabled Postgraduate Students

Grants for disabled post-graduate students are available for eligible post-graduate students on eligible part-time and full-time courses. post-graduate students who are already in receipt of an award or scholarship from the Research Councils or Institutions, will not be eligible. The student's course should be of a standard higher than a first degree and a first degree would normally be the entry requirement. Courses should also be provided by publicly funded institutions. To be eligible for support, a full-time course must last at least one academic year, while a part-time course must be expected to last no longer than twice the time to complete a full-time course. There is, however, no limit on the number of years for which a student can be eligible for the post-graduate Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).

The post-graduate DSA should be spent on additional costs incurred by a student undertaking their course because of their disability. The allowance will be awarded depending on recommendations from a Needs Assessment carried out by an Access Centre.

For further advice and queries about post-graduate DSAs please contact the Student Finance Team on (01344) 354026.

For more detailed information about individual circumstances please see the Directgov website.

Contact List

BFBC Student Finance Team

For Higher Education Student Finance queries:

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