College Bursary Guidelines 2017/18

The College Bursary is a grant for students based on income, which is available tohelp towards the costs of a student’s studies.

To qualify for a bursary, the student and the student’s family must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Students must be over 16 and under 19 years old on the 31st August 2017**
  • Students must be registered on a full-time Study Programme on 31st August 2017
  • Students must have been resident in the UK for 3 years or more at the start of their studies
  • The household income must be below £32,000 for the tax year ending April 2017

Bursary awards are allocated as below:

Criteria / Group 1 / Group 2
The household income is below £32.000. / If a student is in care or leaving care or on Income Support or getting both ESA and DLA/PIP.
Entitlement / 100% essential course related costs*
Transport contribution towards the purchase of the “Love the Bus” Somerset County Ticket for students who live 3 miles and over from the College.
Household incomes between:
£0.00 - £25,000 will receive£500
£25,001 - £32,000 will receive £400
Please note we are unable to support any other forms of travel
Free College Meals
(please see criteria overleaf) / £1,200 for the academic year
Free College meals.
Payment / The bursary is paid by direct payment into your bank account the weeks commencing:
  • 6th November 2017
  • 19thFebruary 2018
  • 16th April 2018
/ £60 is available at the
College Finance Office
Fortnightly payments of £60 paid directly to your bank.

*We will calculate your essential course costs once your subject choices are confirmed.

** If a student is aged over 19 and has an Education Health Care Plan (ECHP) due to their high needs, they may be entitled to a Group 1 Bursary Award.

Please note that bursary instalments are conditional on excellent attendance and other positive aspects of commitment learning grades.

Richard Huish College | South Road | Taunton|Somerset |TA1 3DZ

Tel:01823 320877 | Email:

|

Financial Evidence

We require official evidence of your household income in order to fully assess your bursary application. Please attach one or more of the following supporting documents:

  • A copy of a P60 for the tax year ending April 2017for each household adult
  • A letter of confirmation of any benefits being received. This document must be dated on or after the 1stApril 2017
  • A copy of a 2017/18 Tax Credit Notice Award (TC602 or TC603) /Universal Credit Award showing ACTUAL income as sent to you by the HMRC
  • Evidence of self-employment income for 2015/16 (or 2016/17 if available).

This can be one of the following

  • Full accounts produced by an accountant
  • A copy of your on-line tax return submitted to the HMRC
  • A copy of a SA302 from the HMRC
  • Full set of accounts for parents who are Director(s) or a Limited Company

Free College Meal Scheme 1

In accordance with Government Education Funding Agency guidance, students whose families are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits will be awarded a free meal including a drink each day up to the value of £3.50:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

Free College Meal Scheme 2

Students whose household income is below £16,190 who are not eligible under the Government Free College Meal scheme will also be awarded free college meal including a drink from the Huish Kitchen up to the value of £3.50 per day as part of their bursary award. However, if you would rather not purchase a meal under this scheme and receive a contribution of £100.00 for the academic year please indicate this on your application form.

Bursary Payments

If you wish your bursary to be paid to your parent/guardian please complete the payment section on the application form and sign to give us permission to make payments to the nominated person.

All bursary payments will be paid directly to the recipient’s bank (Bank Automated Clearing Service). Please complete the attached BACS Payment Authorisation Form and return it along with your application form & financial evidence. If we do not receive your BACS AuthorisationForm we will not be able to pay your bursary awards.

Applications must be submitted to Jo Quick, Student Finance Officer, by Friday30th June 2017 along with the necessary supporting evidence. Applications received after this date will not be assessed until after the October half term.

Bursary applications will be assessed and allocations made by Matt Nolan, Student Support Manager.If you disagree with the outcome of your application, you have the right to appeal. Appeals should be made in writing by the student to: Carole Melia, Assistant Principal ~ Support for Students at Richard Huish College.

For further information on the College bursary please follow this link: