Financial Support

This page outlines all the ways that Franklin students can apply for financial support to help them with their studies.

Applications from new students starting their studies in September

Financial Support application will be posted to applicants in preparation for starting in September. If you do not receive an application by Friday mid-May and you wish to apply for the Student Financial Support Fund please contact the finance team on 01472 875000 or, email at student.finance@franklin.ac.uk 

The application forms should be completed by new students as soon you receive these. Please return back to College to ensure that the correct financial support is in place for the students first day at Franklin. It also contains a pre-paid envelope to make the return process as easy as possible.

The packs contain all the relevant information including types of financial support available. Students can only apply for support from one category.

Please see links below for examples of evidence needed to support applications. Photocopies of supporting evidence can be returned with the completed application form or provided via email to student.finance@franklin.ac.uk, quoting the student’s name in the subject line. 

Applications from existing students who are already a Franklin student

Please contact the College’s dedicated financial support team via email on student.finance@franklin.ac.uk or by calling 01472 875000 to request an application form. The team are available to help with any queries you may have.

You can also find our latest version of our Financial Support Fund Policy here

Financial Support Fund for Priority Groups

Students who meet the following criteria will be eligible for the financial support for priority groups:

·     Living in care

·     Care leavers

·     Living financially independently

·     Receive Universal Credit and have Personal Independence Payments or Disability Living Allowance all in their own name

Students in priority groups will be able to receive a bursary of up to £1,200 per year. Once your application has been approved we will contact you to discuss how to best utilise your priority support for your educational needs.

You can find examples of evidence needed to support your application here

 

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Daily Meal Allowance with Discretionary Financial Support & Travel Pass

Daily meal allowances are targeted at disadvantaged students, these students may typically have a low household income and may have received a free school meal in secondary school. Students receiving this award will be provided with a daily meal allowance assigned to their student card, where a student is attending an external placement or studying offsite and it is not feasible for the student to access a meal onsite, alternative arrangements will be sought. This award also includes our discretionary financial support and transport pass. The transport pass will only be awarded if the student lives more than 1 mile away.

The student or parents/carers must be in receipt of one or more benefits including:

• Students who received Free School Meals in Year 11
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on-paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

You can find examples of evidence needed to support your application here

 

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Discretionary Financial Support Fund 

Students who live in a household with an income below £28,000, including most benefits, will be eligible for a discretionary financial support award.  This award supports the cost of trips, and necessary resources whilst studying at Franklin College.  Students can also choose between a Free Bus Pass (If the student lives more than 1 mile from College), or a Daily Meal Allowance.

Please complete your application and provide supporting evidence as soon as possible, as funding is allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

You can find examples of evidence needed to support your application here

 

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19+ DLS (Discretionary Learner Support)

Students who are aged 19 or over when they enrol in September, may be eligible to receive funding towards college costs. Application forms are available from College Services or our Adult Learning Team on request, call 01472 875000 or email alt@franklin.ac.uk for further information.

Find out more about our Adult Learning Team here.

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24+ Advanced Learning Loans

What are Advanced Learning Loans?

24+ Advanced Learning Loans are similar to higher education loans, but for the further education sector.

Loans will be available for learners aged 24 and over, studying at Level 3 or Level 4 (including QCF Certificates and Diplomas, Access to Higher Education, A-Levels and Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships).

You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of the tuition fees for your qualification, which will be paid directly to the college on your behalf. If you go on to study at a higher level you can get another loan. You can have a maximum of four loans.

How do I apply for my loan?

• Apply to the college as normal - this is because you will need such things as your course codes to apply for your learning loan. If you need advice on the courses you are thinking of choosing, give us a call on 01472 875000 and we will help you through the application process.
• Apply for your loan - Once you have received your offer of a place at Franklin you should then apply for your loan here. Online applications take around 5 days to process and you will need your proof of identity such as a passport or driving license.
• Enrol at Franklin - Once your loan is approved, and you have been given a date to enrol by the college, bring in your loan confirmation letter, together with proof of your identity, evidence of your previous qualifications (where appropriate) and a method of payment for any costs not covered by your loan. If a course lasts for more than one year, you will only need to take out one loan.
• Start your course - There is nothing left for you to do at this stage, just come to Franklin and work hard. The loan will be paid directly to the college.

Repayment of the loan

You pay back your loan (plus interest) when you’ve finished your course and start earning more than £21,000 a year. Each month, you pay back 9% of any income over £21,000. For example, if you earn £25,000 a year, your monthly repayments would be £30. You can pay some of or your entire loan at any time without an extra charge. The interest rate will be the rate of inflation plus up to 3% (depending on your earnings after you complete your course).

There is a support scheme in place for students with children.

Care to Learn is a provision for students 16 – 19 years old.

Telephone: 0845 600 2809 or visit the website.

Young Parent Support

Any student who is pregnant or who has a baby/child should register with the Welfare Office as soon as possible.

Franklin has a supportive network available to give extra support when needed.

For more information on any of the above financial support please contact student.finance@franklin.ac.uk (16-19) /jenny.carter@franklin.ac.uk (19+) or call 01472 875000 to speak to someone directly.