Student Helpdesk

We have dedicated support to help you with your student Finance queries, or in the event you were to get into financial difficulty during your time with us.

You may be able to claim additional funding from one of the College’s Bursary funds to help towards costs such as Equipment (Uniform & Kit), Mandatory Trips, Essential Books, Childcare, etc.

For the latest information visit the main college website at www.loucoll.ac.uk/student-services/support/financial

For more information, advice, and guidance please do not hesitate to contact the Student Finance Team 01509 618375 or send an email to: studentfinance@loucoll.ac.uk.

The Loughborough College Bursary Fund is designed to help learners aged 16-18 who meet specific financial criteria with costs incurred as a result of studying.

The Enhanced Bursary is available to ‘vulnerable learners’ (as defined by the ESFA) aged under 19 as of 31st August of the chosen academic year of study on a Further Education course.

The governing body (ESFA) considers a ‘vulnerable student’ to be a young person:

• In care or leaving care.
• Receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner.
• Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right. (all points above are subject to ESFA guidelines of eligibility).

There is also a Discretionary Bursary offered by Loughborough College for students under the age of 19 studying on a Further Education course with a low household income and not receiving the Enhanced Bursary.

For students aged 19+, there is a Discretionary Adult Student Support Fund (DALSF) available to provide assistance in a number of areas.

For more information, advice, and guidance please do not hesitate to contact the Student Finance Team on 01509 618375 or send an email to: studentfinance@loucoll.ac.uk or visit our website www.loucoll.ac.uk/student-services/support/financial

We are here to help.

Students aged 19 or over, studying an eligible Level 3 or Level 4 course may be able to apply for a loan to cover the tuition fee element of the course. For further information visit: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

If you still have questions please go to the Reception in the Hub and ask to speak to the student finance team.  Alternatively, you can call 01509 618 375 or email studentfinance@loucoll.ac.uk

HE students can apply for a loan to cover tuition fees and living costs.

Apply online at www.gov.uk/studentfinance. For information and queries contact Student Finance England – Phone: 0300 100 0607 or visit: www.gov.uk/contact-student-finance-england

We have dedicated support to help you with your student Finance queries as well if you were to get into financial difficulty during your time with us.

For more information, advice, and guidance please do not hesitate to contact us on 01509 618375 or send an email to: studentfinance@loucoll.ac.uk. We are here to help.

Provides help with childcare and associated travel costs if you are over 16 but under 20 years of age on the day your learning starts.

For further information and an application pack call: 0800 121 8989 or visit  www.gov.uk/care-to-learn to find out more.

Student Support can also give advice and guidance about the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) which can pay for some study-related costs you may incur as a result of a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, autistic spectrum disorder or specific learning difference for example:

• Computer equipment and assistive software e.g. voice recognition
• Other equipment e.g. digital recorders, radio aids, personal CCTV
• Assistance from support workers such as mentors and dyslexia tutors.

For more information see www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas

If you think you may be entitled for DSA funding please make an application as soon as possible so that support is in place when you start your studies.

Learning Support Centre

The Learning Support Centre are the College’s chosen provider of this support. They are a local specialist provider who have been supporting students for over 23 years.

You can contact The Learning Support Centre directly or provide your assessor with their contact details. info@learningsupportcentre.com
0116 2548881 www.learningsupportcentre.com

If you are applying for DSA, or have any questions, please contact The Learning Support Centre. To speak to The Learning Support Centre’s Loughborough Support Coordinator, Rhiann Pugh you can email: info@learningsupportcentre.com or call 0116 2548881.

Loans between £300 and £10,000 towards course fees.

For further information and an application either: Phone: National Careers Service on 0800 100 900 or visit: www.gov.uk/career-development-loans

If you are on a full time course, you may be eligible for exemption from this local authority tax.  Please bring your student ID card to the Student Recruitment Team based in the Hub.  If you want to enquire about exemption.

Eligible students will be able to claim a ‘Free Meal’ for each day they are timetabled on their chosen study programme.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the ‘Free Student Meal’ students must be:

• Enrolled in a further education provision funded via the Education Funding Agency
• Aged between 16 and 18 as of 31st August
• Aged between 19 and 24 who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan)

Free Meals are targeted at disadvantaged students. For the purposes of eligibility for free meals, ‘disadvantage’ is defined by the students being in receipt of, or having parents/carers who are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7400 per annum

Please contact Student Finance for further details via Email: studentfinance@loucoll.ac.uk  or Phone: 01509 618 375

Provides help with accommodation costs if you are unable to travel to college on a daily basis. Students need to be aged between 16 and 18 and attending their first full level 2 or level 3 course.

The chosen programme/course must not be offered at a local educational facility or within a reasonable travelling distance from your home address.

For information ask student support or visit: www.gov.uk/residential-support-scheme

Provides help with accommodation costs if you are unable to travel to college on a daily basis. Students need to be aged between 16 and 18 and attending their first full level 2 or level 3 course.

The chosen programme/course must not be offered at a local educational facility or within a reasonable travelling distance from your home address.

For information ask student support or visit: www.gov.uk/residential-support-scheme

You may wish to look into Charities and Educational Trusts. A good place to start is a website called www.turn2us.org.uk

This is a Charity search engine which has a ‘Grants Search’ section where students can enter various details about themselves including their age and home postcode; it filters and lists charities registered with them. The list it produces gives information about the charity, how it can help, who it can help and information or links on how to apply. Please be aware this website does not show all charities, only those who have registered with Turn2us; therefore you may wish to do a google search also.

For the latest information visit the main college website at www.loucoll.ac.uk/student-services/support/financial