Financial Support for Full-time and Part-time Adult Students… | NSCG
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Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group is pleased to be able to offer financial support to help adult students meet the costs of attending College. Please read the information below to find out whether you may be eligible for remission of fees, College Maintenance Allowance (CMA) or Discretionary Childcare Funding.

Financial support payment start dates will be based on the date that the fully completed application form, with the correct supporting evidence, is received in Student Services and no backdated payments will be made. Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of approval and a payment schedule.

To apply for Student Financial Support, please complete our online application form.



Remission of Fees

A range of our courses are currently FREE to many of our adult students. The fee remission table titled 'Categories' below provides a summary of the circumstances in which you could be eligible to waive some or the entire fee for your chosen course. This is correct as at time of publishing, but may be subject to change.

PLEASE NOTE

  • In order to satisfy audit requirements you will be required to give evidence of your entitlements to the benefits stated.
  • You must confirm you are actively seeking work to be able to claim fee remission (for categories G and J).
  • Non-EU students with less than 3 years' residency in the UK are not entitled to fee remission.
  • Students taking self-financing courses are not entitled to either fee remission or financial support.
CATEGORIES
A A student aged 16-18 on 31st August 2023 (excluding recreational courses). A student who is in receipt of one of the active benefits listed below: Please Note: The evidence you provide must be current and cover the start of the course(s)
B1* Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
B2* Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
C A student where Basic Skills is the main learning aim (excluding ESOL)
D A student aged 19-23 on a first full Level 2 programme & SFA approved
E A student aged 19-23 on a first full Level 3 programme & SFA approved
F A student aged 19-23 enrolling on an Entry Level or full Level 1 programme whose intention is to progress to a full Level 2 course. PLEASE NOTE - Students must not already hold a full Level 2 qualification
G* A student who is unemployed and on state benefits other than Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and needs skills training to help them to enter work. PLEASE NOTE - Remission for this category is at the college's discretion
H A student aged 19+ enrolling on GCSE Maths or English where they have not already achieved at grade A* to C
J* A Student receiving Universal Credit, and their earned income from employment (disregarding benefits) is less than £617 a month (learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £988 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner)
K A student aged 19-24 with an Educational Healthcare Plan (EHP)
L The learner is eligible for co-funding and earns less than £20,319 annual gross salary. Please note evidence must be seen by the College to support this dated within 3 months of the start date
M A student who is 19+ studying a Level 3 qualification that is covered by the national skills fund (see below) can claim full fee remission

National Skills Fund

Please note this is subject to national funding and eligibility criteria.

Site Learning Aim Title
Newcastle Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping
Newcastle Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Evening 17:30-21:00
Newcastle Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Newcastle Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation
Newcastle Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge) Year 1 Part Time
Newcastle Level 3 Certificate in AI Programming with Python (RQF)
Newcastle Level 3 BTEC Certificate for Managers
Newcastle Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business
Newcastle Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Business
Newcastle Level 3 Diploma In Site Joinery
Newcastle Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation
Newcastle BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Newcastle Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development Year 2
Newcastle Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Information Technology
Newcastle Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Applied Science
Newcastle Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Applied Science
Newcastle Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Day 09:00-16:00
Newcastle Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Aft/Eve 13:00-21:00
Newcastle Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator)
Stafford Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Evening
Stafford Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation EAL
Stafford L3 Diploma in Engineering Part-time
Stafford Level 3 Certificate in AI Programming with Python (RQF)
Stafford Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business
Stafford Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Business
Stafford Level 3 Diploma In Hospitality & Leadership
Stafford Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Professional Cookery
Stafford Level 3 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision
Stafford Level 3 Diploma Site Carpentry
Stafford Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation
Stafford Level 3 Certificate in Engineering & Technology Craft
Stafford BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Stafford BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Stafford BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Motorsport) Year 2
Stafford Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Children's Play Learning and Development Year 2
Stafford Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Information Technology
Stafford Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Applied Science
Stafford Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Applied Science
Stafford Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Day
Stafford Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Day
Stafford Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation EAL
Stafford Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator)
Stafford BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (Lead Adult Care Worker)


CMA Payment Date (Monday) Number of weeks paid Attendance Weeks Maximum Payment
Monday 11 September 2023 4 N/A £80.00
Monday 02 October 2023 4 N/A £80.00
Monday 06 November 2023 4 25/09, 02/10, 09/10, 16/10 £80.00
Monday 04 December 2023 3 06/11, 13/11, 20/11 £60.00
Monday 08 January 2024 4 N/A £80.00
Monday 05 February 2024 1 27/11 £20.00
Monday 19 February 2024 4 15/01, 22/01, 29/01, 05/02 £80.00
Monday 18 March 2024 1 19/02 £20.00
Monday 08 April 2024 4 26/02, 04/03, 11/03, 18/03 £80.00
Tuesday 07 May 2024 3 08/04, 15/04, 22/04 £60.00
Monday 03 June 2024 2 29/04, 20/05 £40.00

College Maintenance Allowance (CMA)

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group is pleased to be able to offer financial support to help students meet the costs of attending College.

Financial support payment start dates will be based on the date that the fully completed application form, with the correct supporting evidence, is received in Student Services and no backdated payments will be made. Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of approval and a payment schedule.


Who can apply for this support?

Anyone with a total household income below £26,000 per year (excluding students enrolled on an apprenticeship, a self-financing course, a higher education (HE) course or students enrolled on a course with another education provider where funding is being claimed). Please note you will need to provide specific evidence when you apply to support your application. More information can be found in the 'Evidence Guidance' document available in the 'Downloads' section on this page.

How much will I get?

Bursary awards are based on individual circumstances. Please provide as much information about your circumstances in your application as possible. We will use the information provided in your application form to allocate bursary funds to best suit your needs.

How will I be paid?

Bursary support is based on individual circumstances and will be allocated to best suit your individual needs. The agreed amount will be paid directly into your (the students) bank account. It is essential that you have a bank account in your own name. Please request a bank details form from the Student Finance Team if you do not receive one following the submission of your application. If you do not have your own bank account, the agreed amount will be paid onto your student ID card and no cash alternatives will be made. Payments will be made in accordance with the payment schedule.

What evidence will I need to provide?

You will be required to provide evidence of current household income upon application and we may request up to date evidence of your household income at any point during the academic year. For guidance about the evidence you need to provide, please see the Evidence Guidance document available at the bottom of this page.

What other College related costs could I get help with?

If you are approved to receive CMA you could also receive help with additional College related costs, determined by the requirements of your course, such as:

Specialist equipment, specialist materials, essential uniform (refund to be claimed within 6 weeks of the course start date) and compulsory trips.

If you are aged 19+ and not eligible for automatic fee remission, you may be able to receive help towards tuition fees for level 1 and 2 courses through discretionary fee remission. Applications are considered by the Vice Principal and Awards are based on individual circumstances. Please speak to a Student Finance Advisor for more details.

How do I apply?

You can apply for the College Maintenance Allowance (CMA) using our new online application form. You will need to submit supporting evidence at the time of application and please be aware that there may be a delay in your application being processed if your form is incomplete, or evidence is missing.

Financial support payment start dates will be based on the date that the fully completed application form, with the correct supporting evidence, is received in Student Services and no backdated payments will be made. Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of approval and a payment schedule.

If you need to apply for help with course fees, please contact the Student Finance Team.

Please read the Financial Support Guidance before completing the application for financial support.

The online application for financial support is available in the ‘How to Apply’ section on this page. The accompanying guidance documents are available in the ‘Downloads’ section on this page. If you require the application form in a different format, or need assistance completing it, please contact the Student Finance Team.

Discretionary Childcare Funding for students aged 20+

This is support for students where childcare costs may be a barrier to attending College.

Who can apply for Discretionary Childcare Funding?

Students who are aged 20 or over on 31st August 2023 and have a total household income below £26,000 per year.

How will payments be made?

Payments will be made directly to an Ofsted registered childcare provider of your choice, as long as the provider agrees to our terms and conditions.

How much will the College contribute towards my childcare costs?

The College will contribute a maximum of £32 per full day, £16 for half a day or £16 per day for before and after school club (based on your timetabled lessons and compulsory placements). This support is available on a term-time only basis.

What evidence will I need to provide?

You will need to provide a copy of your current Tax Credit or Universal Credit Award; detailing the support you receive for the child/children for whom you are requesting support. You will also need to provide details of your chosen childcare provider(s).

How do I apply?

You will have to complete an application form for Childcare Support in addition to the Student Financial Support application form and provide all relevant evidence. You can download the Childcare Support application in the 'Downloads' section on this page or by contacting the Student Finance Team to request a copy.

If you require assistance completing the application then please contact the Student Finance Team.

How to Apply

To apply for Student Financial Support, please complete our online application form.

Please ensure that you read the Financial Support Guidance and Evidence Guidance documents available on this page before completing the application.

You will need to upload your supporting evidence within the application. Failure to do so will result in the application process being delayed. You will need to complete all compulsory fields in order for your application to submit successfully. Compulsory fields are marked with a red asterisk.

Contact Us

If you need any help or assistance in relation to any of the information on this page, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Finance Team. We are happy to give advice and guidance over the phone, or to arrange appointments on a one to one basis.

NEWCASTLE COLLEGE

Tel 01782 254188

Email studentfinanceteam@nscg.ac.uk

STAFFORD COLLEGE

Tel 01785 275494

Email studentfinanceteam@nscg.ac.uk