NHS STUDENT GRANTS UNIT
22 Plymouth Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY3 7JS
Tel: 01253 655655
Fax: 01253 655660
Please Ask For: Paul Matthews E-Mail:
A MEDICAL & DENTAL STUDENT’S GUIDE TO APPLYING FOR NHS FUNDED BURSARIES AND TUITION FEE CONTRIBUTIONS
PAUL MATTHEWS – APRIL 2002
A GUIDE FOR APPLYING FOR NHS FUNDED BURSARIES AND TUITION FEE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR MEDICAL AND DENTAL COURSES.
New support arrangements now apply to students on medical and dental undergraduate courses and 4-year graduate medical courses. The aim of this Guide is to provide information on how to apply for a Bursary and the type and level of support available.
Q1: What are the new arrangements?
Support for English domiciled students on undergraduate medical and dental courses will continue to be provided through their Local Education Authority. However, in year five of training and beyond (for students who entered training on or after the 1st of September 1998), students will not have to pay tuition fee contributions, and non-repayable bursaries, assessed against the income of the student, and where appropriate, their families, will be available towards maintenance.
For English domiciled students on four-year graduate entry medical degree courses, means-tested Bursaries, help with tuition fees and student loans (via their Local Education Authority) are available from year two of the four-year course. In year one of the course, students will notreceive helpwith tuition fees but they will be entitled to apply for a student loan.
Q2: What about students who have intercalated?
Intercalating English domiciled students on undergraduate medical and dental courses will be eligible under the new arrangements from year five of their course, provided that training commenced on or after the 1st of September 1998.
Q3: What about students who are repeating a year?
Students who are required to repeat a year of training will normally be expected to be self-funding.
Q4: Are there any other eligibility criteria?
Normal residency conditions apply but it is expected that the residency test will have been applied in earlier years of training when Local Education Authorities were responsible for the students’ support. However, all students must be able demonstrate, if necessary, that they:
- have been ordinarily resident in the British Islands1 ( in England for medical and dental students) throughout the 3 years preceding the first day of the first academic year3 of their course, other than for the purpose of receiving full-time education, and have settled status in the United Kingdom,UK,2 (in England for medical and dental students) within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971, on the first day of the first academic year of their course; and
- be ordinarily resident in any UK2country on the first day of the first academic year3 of the course.
EU nationals, may have their tuition fee liability met, but they will not normally qualify for a Bursary. Students are not eligible for a NHS funded Bursary if they are being seconded by a NHS Trust to undertake training and therefore continue to receive a salary
Q5: Who is responsible for administering the new arrangements?
The Department of Health has passed operational responsibility for administering the new arrangements for English domiciled students to the NHS Student Grants Unit (SGU), which is already responsible for processing Bursary applications for 70,000 other Health Care professionals. We will be working in partnership with your University to ensure a smooth transition and the prompt and accurate assessment and payment of your Bursary entitlement.
Q6: What if I was domiciled in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland prior to commencing my training?
You should contact your relevant national authority. Please see contact list at the end of this Guide for further details.
Q7: How can I get a Bursary Application Form?
As long as you are eligible under the new arrangements your University will provide us with your details so that we can send you a Bursary Application Pack. You should normally receive your Application Pack at least 2 months before entering your eligible year of training. If this does not happen please contact us by calling our Student Helpline on 01253 655655.
You can help us by ensuring that you complete your application fully, providing all the requested documentation and that you return these to us in good time. Late or incomplete applications will delay the assessment process and may result in late payments of Bursary entitlements.
Q8: How much is the standard Bursary?
The standard Bursary is means-tested. This means that when deciding how much Bursary you will get we look at the income available to you, less certain allowable expenses. In order to do this we need to determine whether you are “dependent” on your parents or whether you have “independent” status.
If you are a “dependent” student we need to know about the income and expenses of your parents. If you are an “independent” student no parental contribution will be assessed but a spouse’s contribution may still be applicable.
You are an independent student if:
- you are aged 25 or over at the start of the academic year3; or
- you have supported yourself from your own earnings or income for a total of at least 36 months before the start of the first academic year3 of your course; or
- you are, or have been, married on or before the start of academic year3; or
- you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents; or
- you have no parents living.
We use the financial information on your application form, together with the number of weeks in training and where you are studying and living, to work out how much Bursary you will get. Examples of the basic Bursary are:
Length of the academic year / If you will be living with your parent(s) / If you will not be living with your parent(s)Studying in London / Studying outside London
30 weeks / £1,758 / £2,640 / £2,148
35 weeks / £1,993 / £3,090 / £2,493
40 weeks / £2,228 / £3,540 / £2,838
45 weeks / £2,792 / £4,620 / £3,666
Students on part-time courses get a pro rata amount of these full time rates.
Your Bursary is means-tested and the amounts you and, if applicable, your parents, spouse or if you are aged 25 or over on 31 August 2002 and live with someone as if you are married, your partner, are expected to contribute, are calculated as follows:
- your unearned income, less a disregard of £880, £7,500 for single students aged 25 or over at the start of the first academic year3 of the course, in the academic year3, and
- the residual income of your parents or spouse/partner is calculated by taking their gross taxable income in the last financial year less the following tax allowable expenses:
- Contributions to state retirement pensions – up to 15% of total gross income (that is income before deductions).
- Personal pension/retirement annuity payments – 17.5% of maximum.
- Other Loan Interest (allowed for tax purposes) – this is normally only applicable if you are self-employed.
- Professional subscriptions and other tax relievable expenses.
- Allowance for adult dependant - £2,360.
- Allowance for domestic assistance (if the parent(s)/spouse need domestic help because of disability or illness) - £1,850.
The following tables can be used to give you an idea as to how much your parents or spouse/partner will be expected to contribute to your Bursary based on their residual income. If the amount shown in the “contribution” column is more than your full Bursary entitlement, your parent(s) or spouse will be expected to use the spare amount to pay your travel and accommodation expenses when you go on clinical placements.
Table for parent(s)Residual income / Contribution / Residual income / Contribution
Under £20,480 / Nil / £52,500 / £3,415
£20,480 / £45 / £55,000 / £3,678
£22,500 / £257 / £57,500 / £3,941
£25,000 / £520 / £60,000 / £4,205
£27,500 / £783 / £62,500 / £4,468
£30,000 / £1,047 / £65,000 / £4,731
£32,500 / £1,310 / £67,500 / £4,994
£35,000 / £1,573 / £70,000 / £5,257
£37,500 / £1,836 / £72,500 / £5,520
£40,000 / £2,099 / £75,000 / £5,783
£42,500 / £2,362 / £77,500 / £6,047
£45,000 / £2,626 / £80,000 / £6.310
£47,500 / £2,889 / £82,500 / £6,573
£50,000 / £3,152 / £84,168+ / £6,749 (Max)
Table for spouse/partner
Residual income / Contribution / Residual income / Contribution
Under £17,615 / Nil / £45,000 / £3,468
£17,615 / £45 / £47,500 / £3,780
£20,000 / £343 / £50,000 / £4,093
£22,500 / £655 / £52,500 / £4,405
£25,000 / £968 / £55,000 / £4,718
£27,500 / £1,280 / £57,500 / £5,030
£30,000 / £1,593 / £60,000 / £5,343
£32,500 / £1,905 / £62,500 / £5,655
£35,000 / £2,218 / £65,000 / £5,968
£37,500 / £2,530 / £67,500 / £6,280
£40,000 / £2,843 / £70,000 / £6,593
£42,500 / £3,155 / £71,247 + / £6,749 (Max)
Please note that a contribution will not be assessed for a partner if your course commenced before 1 September 2002.
Q9: Are there any additions to the basic Bursary?
If you are aged 26 or over at the start of the academic year3 in which your course began, you receive the “Older Student’s Allowance”. This is £379 aged 26, £655 aged 27, £973 aged 28 and £1285 aged 29 and over.
If you have a dependant i.e. a person(s) who is wholly or mainly financially dependent on you, you may be able to get the following “Dependant’s Allowances”:
Dependant’s AllowancesSpouse/partner or first child / £2,227
Child under 11 / £466
Child 11 to 15 / £932
Child 16 to 17 / £1,239
Child 18 or over / £1,782
To be eligible for the Dependant’s Allowance you must prove that your family’s main income will come from your Bursary. Therefore, if your spouse or partner has a salary or is in receipt of benefits it is unlikely that you will receive this allowance.
If you are a lone single parent entitled to dependants allowances you may get an extra £1,100, by way of the “Single Parent Addition”. You cannot, however, receive both the “Single Parent Addition” and the “Older Students Allowance”. We will pay you the higher of the two entitlements, if appropriate.
If you are disabled, you may be entitled to receive the “Disabled Students Allowances” of up to £11,015 to pay a non medical helper, £4,355 for specialist equipment, and £1,455 for other costs. If you have had payments from a Local Education Authority to help with disability or special needs in previous years of training, these will have to be taken into account when assessing current or future assessments for the Disabled Students’ Allowance.
If you have to maintain two separate homes – one for yourself while doing the course and another for one or more dependants – you may claim the “Two Homes Grant” of £775.
Q10: What happens if I withdraw from training?
You are only entitled to receive a Bursary for the actual time in attendance in training. If you withdraw from training it may be that you have received more monies in Bursary instalments than your actual days in attendance merit. If this is the case you will have to repay the resulting overpayment.
Q11: What about the Personal Tuition Fee Contribution?
If you are eligible for NHS funded student support you will automatically have your Personal Tuition Fee Contribution (£1100) paid on your behalf. Arrangements exist between SGU and your University to make this happen and you will not need to be involved in the process. If you withdraw from training you may have to repay any unused element of the Personal Tuition Fee paid on your behalf.
Q12: Can I claim travel and accommodation costs whilst on placement?
Normal daily travel between home and the normal place of study is not reimbursed. However eligible students who have to undertake a non-elective placement that involves training in hospitals or community health services rather than in a classroom may be able to claim for travel and accommodation costs associated with that placement. Your University will provide you with a copy of the relevant guidance and claim form in advance of any placement you have to undertake.
Q13: Can I get any other financial help?
You may also be able to get a reduced rate Student Loan. If your course is eligible you should ask you Local Education Authority for a loan eligibility form.
Q14: How will I know how much Bursary I will receive?
If you have correctly completed and returned your Bursary application in good time you will normally be notified (in writing) of your Bursary award in advance of joining an eligible training year.
Q15: How is the Bursary paid?
The first Bursary instalment is paid as a cheque sent to your University for your collection. This will be for two months worth of Bursary and should arrive within 5 working days of you rejoining training. We will then pay you the rest of your Bursary in monthly instalments. We will pay these amounts directly into your bank or building society (by BACS - the bank automated credit system) on the third Friday of each month, starting from the third month of your training year. In certain cases where the annual award is less than £250 we make a single payment of the total award at the start of the new training year.
Q16: So do I need to have a bank or building society account?
Yes, you do. You should check that your bank or building society account accepts payments by the Bank Automated Credit System (BACS).
If you change your bank or building society after you have sent in your application form, you must tell us straight away, using the Form PSM 10 (a copy of which will be included in your Bursary Application Pack).
Q17: What should I do if I have any other questions?
We are particularly busy from June to the end of October. During these months, please write to us rather than phone and we will do our best to reply quickly. Our address is the NHS Student Grants Unit, 22 Plymouth Road, Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 7JS. You can also email us at . If necessary you can call our Student Helpline on 01253 655655.
Q17: What if I am unhappy with the service I receive, or disagree with your decision about my Bursary?
We aim to provide a high quality service, including working out your Bursary correctly, telling you quickly how much this is, and paying your Bursary instalments on time. This year we will receive over 70,000 applications. You can help us by making sure that you fill in your Bursary Application form properly, that you include all the supporting documentation we need and that these are returned to us as soon as possible.
If you are unhappy about the service you receive, or disagree with our decision about any aspect of your Bursary, please write to us setting out clearly what you consider the problem to be. We will respond explaining our decision. If you are still not satisfied, you may lodge a complaint, or appeal, by writing to Paul Matthews who is the Head of the Unit.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Address:The NHS Student Grants Unit, 22 Plymouth Road, Layton, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 7JS
Telephone:01253 655655
Fax01253 655660
Students domiciled in Wales prior to beginning training should be referred to:
The NHS (Wales) Student Awards Unit
2nd Floor
Golate House
101 St Mary Street
CARDIFF
CF10 1DX
Tel: 029 2026 1495
Fax: 029 2026 1499
Students domiciled in Scotland prior to beginning training should be referred to:
The Students Awards Agency for Scotland
Gyle House
3 Redheughs Rigg
South Gyle
EDINBURGH
EH12 9HH
Tel: 0131 476 8212
Students domiciled in Northern Ireland prior to beginning training should be referred to:
The Department of Higher and Further Education
Training & Employment
Student Support Branch
4th Floor
Adelaide House
39-49 Adelaide Street
BELFAST
BT2 8FD
Tel: 028 902 577 77
END APRIL 2002
1The United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
2England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
31 September – for courses that start between September and December
1 January – for courses that start between January and March
1 April – for courses that start between April and June
1 July – for courses that start between July and August