Additional financial help

This section provides information about additional sources of funding which, dependent on circumstances, students may be eligible to claim.

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Students who already hold a degree at an equal or higher level (ELQs)

At LSBU we receive two elements of funding for many of our Home/EU students. One is the tuition fee charged to students (and usually paid by the Student Loans Company, by the student themselves or by a Sponsor) and the other is an institutional grant we receive from the Government via the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for teaching these students.

The government no longer funds Home/EU students who study for a second degree at the same, or lower, level than a qualification they already hold. This is referred to as funding of Equivalent or Lower Qualifications, or ELQs. So, if a student already with a BSc in Psychology decides to retrain as a lawyer, taking an LLB course, the government will no longer provide their 'share' of the funding.

Applicants in this position will be charged a higher fee by the University. This makes up the funding shortfall that no longer comes from the government. In practice, this means that ELQ students should be in the same position as students studying with us from outside the UK or EU who have to pay fees to cover the whole cost of their course. If you think you may be in this position contact our Course Enquiries Team on 0800 923 8888. The ELQ checker is designed to give you a provisional indication of the fee rate that we will charge based on the qualifications you already hold.

For Home/EU ELQ entrants in 2011, LSBU has decided to offer discounts from the full international fee equivalent to £10 per cats point for taught modules. This equates to £1,200 a year for full-time undergraduate (Bachelors) courses where 120 credits are being studied. In addition to this on postgraduate courses, the dissertation will charged at the home rate of fee (where there is a difference between the home and overseas rate).

There are equivalent rates for part-time students. This discount applies for the duration of your course.

The Government has also agreed a number of exemptions. These include students studying Foundation Degrees; students in receipt of Disability Support Allowance (DSA); and students studying non-HEFCE funded courses such as Initial Teacher Training, Midwifery, Nursing and Social Work.

Further details about the Government policy and a full list of exemptions can be found at http://www.hefce.ac.uk/learning/funding/elq/ or http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/hefunding.html

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Students with children

If you are a student with children then you may be able to get some extra help. This comes from two main sources: your Local Authority and HM Revenue and Customs.

Childcare Grant

The Childcare Grant is available to full-time students in low-income households. To qualify, you must have a dependent child or children in registered or approved childcare.

If you qualify, you can receive up to 85 per cent of your actual childcare costs. You do not have to repay this help. How much you get will depend on:

  • your level of income and the income of your household
  • how many children you have in childcare
  • your actual childcare costs

The Directgov website provides further information about the Childcare Grant.

For information about childcare in your area visit ChildcareLink.

Parents' Learning Allowance (PLA)

The Parents' Learning Allowance is available to full-time students who receive the Childcare Grant. It's also available to other full-time students from low-income backgrounds with children.

The allowance is to help you pay for course-related costs such as books, materials and travel. You do not have to repay this help.

The Directgov website provides further information about the Parents' Learning Allowance.

Tax Credits

Students with dependent children may also be entitled to claim Child Tax Credit from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and income.

You may also be able to claim Working Tax Credit. However, if you get the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, you won't be able to claim for the Childcare Grant as well.

The Directgov website provides further information about Tax Credits.

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Students with adult dependents

If you are a full-time student with an adult who depends on you financially, you could be entitled to the Adult Dependants' Grant. You don't have to repay this help.

An adult dependant can include a partner (of either sex) or another adult, usually a member of your family who depends on you financially. However, you can't count your grown-up children as adult dependants.

How much you get depends on your income and the income of your adult dependants.

The Directgov website provides further information about the Adult Dependents' Grant.

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Students with disabilities

Detailed information about support for disabled students can be found in the DIUS booklet ‘Bridging the gap: a guide to the disabled students’ allowances (DSAs) in higher education (PDF 322KB - opens in new window). Further details are also available on the NHS Business Services Authority website.

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Students studying on a vocational course

Career Development Loans are a Government Scheme, operated in conjunction with three High Street banks (Co-operative, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland). They can assist with up to 80% of the cost of tuition fees and an amount of living costs, or 100% if you have been out of work for three months or more before applying. A Career Development Loan is a bank loan designed to help you pay for work-related learning. You don't have to start paying your loan back until at least one month after you stop training.

The Directgov website provides further information about Career Development Loans.

In order to have this funding in place at the start of your course you need to apply 8 to 10 weeks in advance. If you already have had your loan agreed in advance you will need to bring to enrolment a schedule from your bank detailing the instalment amounts for fees and dates these will be paid to the University. If you are in the process of applying for a Career Development Loan LSBU will certify your application. While you are awaiting a decision on your loan, in order to commence your studies you will need to pay at least 50% of your year's tuition fee.

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Foyer Bursary

The Foyer Federation is a Registered Charity working with disadvantaged young people, who are homeless or in housing need, providing them with holistic support and affordable accommodation.

The charity seeks to raise aspirations among residents with the potential to benefit from higher education and to provide them with additional support to obtain a University place. Foyer students receive a bursary of £1000 for every year of their course, including a placement (sandwich) year.

Foyer residents are a priority group for the Access to Learning Fund.

More information can be found at www.foyer.net and from Foyer's University Support on 020 7430 2212, or email: bursary@foyer.net.

Application forms can be found at http://www.foyer.net/level3.asp?level3id=166

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Students from the Armed Forces

LSBU is an approved learning provider for the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCAS).

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Claiming benefits

The rules concerning students and benefits are complicated and depend on individual circumstances. There are also different rules for claiming benefits during term time and vacation periods. We therefore advise that all students who are in receipt of benefits, or who believe they may be eligible for certain benefits or tax credits, seek advice from their local Benefits Office, Citizen's Advice Bureau, or an advisor at the Personal Development Module.

Further information:

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Help with cost of Dyslexia assessment

Support is available for all LSBU students with dyslexia, to enable them to cope with their practical, academic and personal needs. If you think you would benefit from being assessed, please contact Disability and Dyslexia Support on 020 7815 6405. Financial support for assessment will only be considered if the referral is made by the University's Dyslexia Coordinators.

Applications are not means tested but only those students normally eligible to receive assistance from the Access to Learning Fund can apply.

Students will need to pay for the assessment themselves and then supply the receipt with their Access to Learning Fund application. It will only pay the first £250 of any assessment.

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Charitable Fund

Any fully enrolled student can apply for the University's Charitable Fund if they are faced with a set of unforeseen circumstances, but priority is given to students who do not have other means of financial support.

If you wish to apply, please note the following:

  • All fees should have been paid, or you should be up to date with your instalment plan
  • The reason for the application should not be for normal living costs, but for unforeseen circumstances
  • Priority is given to final year students

Forms are available from the Student Advice office. You will need to get a short reference from your Course Director and supply documentary evidence to support your application. You will also need to attend a short interview with an adviser in Student Advice. Only one successful application is allowed per academic year, and awards are between £250 and £500.

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Access to Learning Fund

The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is money given to Higher Education Institutions by the government. It provides financial help to home students with financial difficulties who have exhausted all other sources of support. Access to Learning Funds are available to many home full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students. Payments depend on individual circumstances and vary. They are not available for EU or International students. Student Advice provide full details about the Access to Learning Fund.