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

Please note that all information provided here is correct at the time of writing.  You are strongly urged to check your eligibility with the funding providers listed.

Items marked * may be subject to an update.

Students from within the EU studying a full time Further Education course do not pay course fees. Part time courses attract charges for tuition and examinations but some students will be entitled to fee waivers. Our fee policy is reviewed annually together with categories of fee waiver. The latest policy can be provided on request.

Full time Higher Education Students may contact our Student Finance Officer on 01443 653625 or 01443 663151 for advice or visit www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

Available to students 19 years or older at the start of the academic year, studying either Further Education or Higher Education courses.  Note:  HE students may receive this in addition to other support.  More information is available at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

Who qualifies for an Assembly Learning Grant? (FE)
Full and part-time students from low-income families (Household income under £17,700*).
Applicants must be normally resident in Wales. Students must be studying an undergraduate Higher Education course, or following a Further Education course leading to a nationally recognised qualification. 
Your course must amount to 275 contact hours per year (at least 30 credits for HE courses). 

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 prior to starting your course.

• 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 household income is less than £32,400* per annum.
• Where attendance is 100%

How much can I get? (2009/10)

• If household income is below £21,885 you are entitled to £30 per week.*
• If household income is between £21,886 and £26,841 you are entitled to £20 per week.*
• If household income is between £26,841 and £32,400 you are entitled to £10 per week.*
• Bonus of £100 in January and July for those who are making good progress and achieving tutors’ targets.  Second year students will receive a bonus in October for returning to College.

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

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

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
• Contribution towards Equipment
• Travel Grant
• Meal Subsidy

How to apply?
Application forms are available from Campus Services Offices. Alternatively click the form links below.

HE Students can apply for FCF Funding from their franchised University.

FCF application form Rhondda and Aberdare

FCF application form Pontypridd, Nantgarw

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

If you intend to join a part time course, Individual Learning Accounts are a way of funding/part funding your course fees. The scheme is funded by The Welsh Assembly and administered by Learn Direct, you can find out more by either:

• Telephoning Learn Direct on 0800 100 900.
• Visiting their website at www.ila-wales.org.uk
• Asking our Student Finance Officer for more details. Tel. No. 01443 653625 or 01443 663151.

Note:  Funding is only available on certain courses. If you intend to use an ILA to contribute towards your course, you must present your ILA voucher at enrolment.

You must apply for an ILA prior to starting your chosen course.  Your ILA Voucher must be used before you attend your first lesson. Failure to do so will result in the loss of your funding.

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. 

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

Who is eligible?
In general students 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 students and where each resident pays rent separately.
• Houses with non-students may be liable to pay some Council Tax (ranging from 75-100%).
• Non-student partners/spouses and/or dependants of students may be eligible for discounts.

Special Requirements
Councils may require proof of student status in the form of a certificate, and the College must provide a certificate at the request of the student.  The Council Tax Exception Certificate exempts all full-time students 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 students claiming council tax exemption for their own properties must complete a Student Exemption form as well as submitting a copy of the certificate that confirms their status as a full-time student.  Council Tax Student 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.
Students 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.

Other recommended sources of information:

Higher Education students – details of HE funding is also available from www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or from the University of Glamorgan’s website: www.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 the Student Finance Officers

Rhiannydd Mounter on: 01443 653625 and/or Stephanie Matthews on: 01443 663151