This guide aims to give learners brief information on how to fund their chosen course.

You are urged to check your eligibility with the funding providers listed.

Please note items marked with an* are subject to change according to funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. You are strongly advised to check these amounts before applying for funding.

Learners from within the EU studying a full time Further Education course do not pay course fees.  Our fee policy is reviewed annually together with categories of fee waiver. The latest policy can be provided on request or by visiting:

Learner Support Policies

Available to learners who are 19 years or older at the start of the academic year and who are studying a Further Education (FE) course. 

Who qualifies for an Assembly Learning Grant? (FE)

Full and part-time learners from low-income families. (Household income under £18,370*)
Applicants must be normally resident in Wales. Learners must be studying a Further Education course leading to a nationally recognised qualification. 

Your course must amount to at least 275 contact hours per year.

How much can I get?

All applications will be means tested, and will be assessed on your household’s residual income. It is unlikely that the award will alter your entitlement to benefits or the way in which the Inland Revenue assesses you for tax purposes.

How do I apply?

Application forms are available from Campus Services Offices from May onwards.

Who Qualifies for an EMA?

• Individuals aged 16, 17 or 18 on 1st September 2011.
• Students undertaking at least 12 hours guided learning (time taught by a lecturer), studying up to level 3 e.g. GCSE, AS/A2, GNVQ, NVQ, BTEC National.
• Where attendance is 100%.
• Students who are the only young person in full time education in their household, where the annual household income is below £20,817 *
• Students in a household with other young people in full time education, who also qualify for child benefit, where the annual household income is less than £23,077 *

How much can I get?

• If household income is below a set criteria you will be entitled to £30 per week.*

How to I apply? 
Application forms will be available from Campus Services Offices from May onwards.  More information and downloadable application forms are available from May onwards at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk 

Payments will be made fortnightly in arrears.  Students must have a bank account.

Existing EMA Applicants
If students are already receiving an EMA of either £10, £20 or £30 and are remaining in education, meeting the scheme criteria, they will stay on the existing scheme from September 2011

The Fund is subject to fluctuation annually, due to the level of funding the College receives.  All applications for the fund are means tested and assessed on household net taxable yearly income.

Who qualifies for help from the Financial Contingency Fund?

• Further Education students aged 16 or over on a full-time or part-time course. (Receipt of other Council, College or University funding may affect your application)
• Resident in the UK, Isle of Man or EU for at least three years immediately prior to starting the course for purposes other than receiving full time education.

What sort of help can I expect?

• Childcare
• Travel Subsidy
• Meal Subsidy
• Hardship support

How to apply?
Application forms are included in your interview pack and are also available from your Campus Services Office. Alternatively download from the links below:

HE learners can apply for FCF funding from their franchising University.

FCF application form Rhondda and Aberdare

FCF application form Pontypridd, Nantgarw

Financial Contingency Funds (FCF) Notes of Guidance - FCF 1

For further information regarding local/national scholarships and educational trusts, please refer to the Learner Finance Officer on 01443 663151 or 01443 653625.

If you are claiming State benefits prior to commencing a course, contact your Benefits Office for information on how your benefits could be affected by full-time study. The College can only give general information/advice, as individual circumstances vary. 

You are strongly advised to seek further guidance about your particular circumstances before applying for a college course.

Who is eligible?
In general learners will not be liable to pay Council Tax if they live in one of the following:

• Halls of residence.
• Houses of multiple occupation where all the residents are learners and where each resident pays rent separately.
• Houses with non-learners may be liable to pay some Council Tax (ranging from 75-100%).
• Non-learner partners/spouses and/or dependants of learners may be eligible for discounts.

Special Requirements
Councils may require proof of learner status, and the College must provide a certificate/letter at the request of the learner.  The Council Tax Exception Certificate exempts all full-time learners from having to pay council tax while studying, as long as they meet the criteria above.

How to apply
Letters are processed by Campus Services and are available once all the enrolment processes are complete, usually in November.  They will be posted to you on request.

Please Note:  Full-time learners claiming council tax exemption for their own properties must complete a Learner Exemption form as well as submitting a copy of the letter that confirms their status as a full-time learner.  Council Tax Learner Exemption forms are available from the Council Tax Office responsible for the area you live in.  Telephone numbers are listed in the telephone book under your local Council information. Learners that live in rented accommodation should provide a copy of this letter to their landlords, who should then complete the exemption form on your behalf.

To download a leaflet on HE funding available for 2011-2012 please follow the link here . Further information on this subject is available from sources such as Student Finance Wales, Student Finance England, Local Education Authorities or UCAS.
Full time Higher Education Students may contact our Learner Finance Officers on 01443 663151 or 01443 653625 for advice or visit www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

Part Time HE grants are available from Local Authorities.  The grant provides funds towards fees and course costs for those on low income. PTG1 application forms are available from your Local  Authority from August 2011. For further details please contact our Learner Finance Officer on 01443 663151 or 01443 653625 or contact your Local Authority.

For learners studying at the University of Glamorgan, further details of their HE funding is available from the University of Glamorgan : http://money.glam.ac.uk

General advice on funding your studies –  www.wales.gov.uk ,  http://www.careerswales.com

The Prince’s Trust Cymru – www.princes-trust.org.uk

www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact 0800 100 900 or 0800 585 505.

If you have any queries regarding any of the above please contact:

Stephanie Matthews – Learner Finance Officer on telephone no. 01443 663151 if you plan to Study at Pontypridd or Nantgarw Campus

Rhiannydd Mounter – Learner Finance Officer on telephone no 01443 653625 if you plan to Study at Rhondda or Aberdare Campus.

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