A BASIC GUIDE
TO STUDENT
FINANCE
2011
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CHILDREN
RHEYNN YNSEE AS PAITCHYN
Hamilton House, Peel Road Douglas, IM1 5EZ Tel: (01624) 685790 Fax: (01624) 686473 E-mail: [email protected]
Foreword by the Minister for Education and Children
The Isle of Man has been fortunate over the years as we have had the resources to invest a considerable amount in higher education and student awards. I have been delighted that we have been able to continue our support for the coming year and I will do everything within my power to maintain the high level of education which we currently enjoy in the Isle of Man. Whilst we have had to make some modest changes in the basis of our support this year, the basic principles remain unaffected in that providing certain eligibility criteria are achieved undergraduate students will receive 100% support for their tuition fees and also a maintenance grant.
We have the flexibility as a small nation to determine our own future but we must also recognise that our future is in the hands of our young people. We owe it to them to ensure that they develop their abilities and that we instil a desire to learn in them so that they will be fully equipped when it is time for them to enter the workforce. Our society is rapidly changing and the skills that our young will need include adaptability and resilience in the face of constant change. Certainly during my lifetime the pace of change has increased and it is now very likely that our young people will have a series of careers during their working lives. We must put the basic building blocks in place to enable them to develop to their full potential.
Much has been said concerning the types of courses which the Government should support in the future. I intend to embark upon a consultation exercise in the near future seeking public feedback on the issues and options. As mentioned previously we do not have unlimited resources and we must ensure that they are utilised to the maximum benefit of our young people.
Hon Eddie Teare ACIB MHK March 2011
CONTENTS
1.
Reciprocal health agreement
2.
Eligibility for an award
3.
Non-eligibility for an award
4.
Duration of support
5.
How to apply for a student award
6.
Who needs to complete the application form ?
7.
When to apply for a student award ?
8.
What assistance is available ?
9.
How to calculate how much maintenance grant a student can receive
10.
When is the maintenance grant available
11.
How to calculate if you are liable for the £1,000 means tested contribution to
tuition fees
12.
How are tuition fees paid ?
13.
Calculation tables for full means tested tuition fees
14.
How is income verified ?
15.
Income from a business or company
16.
Change in circumstances – drop in income
17. Educational deeds of covenant
18.
Transferring courses
19.
Failure and withdrawal
20.
What to do if you are not happy with a decision made by the department
21.
Disabled student‟s allowance
22. Are there any other sources of funding available ?
23. Frequently asked questions
1. RECIPROCAL HEALTH AGREEMENT
Full-time Manx students at universities or colleges in the UK, who are able to prove that their course lasts more than six months, will not need medical insurance cover.
2. ELIGIBILITY FOR AN AWARD
A student can apply for a grant from the Department if they satisfy the following criteria:
Residency
A student must be „ordinarily resident in the Isle of Man for a period of not less that 3 years immediately before the beginning of the first year of the course‟.
Students must also continue to remain resident for the duration of the course.
For the purposes of Student Awards, a course beginning in a term specified in column 1 of the following table is treated as beginning on the date specified in column 2 opposite the term:
First term of course Date on which the course is treated as beginning
Autumn term 1st September
Winter term 1st January
Spring term 1st April
Summer term 1st July
Discretion in relation to residency can be awarded for students who take a „gap year‟ of approximately 12 months immediately after the completion of „A‟ levels or an undergraduate degree.
Age
Range Support Available
18 to 29 Tuition fees and means tested maintenance grant. 30 to 39 (studying on the IoM) Tuition fees and means tested maintenance grant. 30 to 39 (studying off the IoM) Means tested tuition fees only (see Section 13). 40 to 59 Means tested tuition fees only (see Section 13).
Support may be offered to students who are under 18 to study courses away from the Isle of Man. In such cases, the courses must not be available on the Isle of Man and any support will be considered on a non-mandatory basis.
Courses Eligible for Support
A first degree course such as BA, BSc or BEd
A HND, Foundation Degree or Diploma of Higher Education.
A MA, MSc, Postgraduate Law Course, Postgraduate Diploma or PhD.
A PGCE – please note that funding for this course is usually limited to tuition fees only as a bursary is available for some courses from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (“TDA”). Please go to their website www.tda.gov.uk for further details. If you do not qualify for a bursary from the TDA then you can apply for a means tested maintenance award
Certain full-time courses at the Isle of Man College including „A‟ levels, GCSEs and vocational qualifications.
Please note that the PGCE at the Isle of Man College is not governed by the Student Awards regulations. Any queries regarding this course should be directed to Maggie Young at the Isle of Man College - [email protected]
If you are unsure whether a course is supported, please contact the Student Awards Section for clarification.
Academic Requirements
Please be aware that you must meet the Department’s academic requirements in order to qualify for support – even if you have been unconditionally accepted by the University that you wish to attend.
HND or comparable course – They must possess 1 A(2) pass at grade A-C or equivalent qualification.
University degree or comparable course – They must possess 2 passes at A(2) level, grades A-C or equivalent qualification.
The Department may waive the above academic requirements in the case of a course at the International Business School (IBS) or the Isle of Man College where the Principal of the College or the Director of the IBS has made a written recommendation to the Department, supporting the student‟s application.
Postgraduate course – A student must meet the minimum academic requirements as shown below:
PhD 2:1 or Masters degree
MA/MSc/PG Diploma/GDL/PGCE 2:1
Part-Time/Distance Learning Courses
Providing a student meets all other criteria, means-tested „tuition fees only‟ support (see Section 13 for guidance) may be offered for the following part-time/distance learning courses:
Part-time degree course at the Isle of Man College or IBS;
A degree course or module provided by the Open University or similar provider.
A student will be required to make payment of the tuition fees in advance. The fees will then be refunded by the Department, on production of a receipted invoice, subject to a maximum of £3,500 per annum.
If a student is employed, support will not be considered if the course is related to the employer‟s core business and would normally be funded by them.
Private/Overseas Institutions
Support can be considered for a private or an overseas institute. If supported, payment will be limited to a maximum of the tuition fees payable by the Department for an equivalent course at a publicly funded institute in the UK.
Please be aware that Imperial College, London does not charge the agreed „Island Fees‟ that most other UK institutions do. The Department regards Imperial College as a private
institution. If you choose to study there, your tuition fee support will be limited as a result. A student will be required to make payment of the tuition fees in advance. The fees
will then be refunded by the Department on production of a receipted invoice and, in the case of an overseas institution, confirmation of payment from a student‟s or parent‟s bank account showing the exchange rate used in the transaction.
3. NON-ELIGIBILITY FOR AN AWARD
A student will not be offered support in the following circumstances:
If attending the Isle of Man College, they are under the age of 18 at the start of the course;
If they have applied for a course outside of the Isle of Man and a similar course is available on Island;
If they have already commenced a course at a National Qualifications Framework level equivalent to or higher than the course for which they are applying – please see the below table for examples of the NQF levels.
National Qualifications Framework
A student is not eligible for support if they have previously commenced a course at the same or a higher level.
The following table shows a selection of individual qualifications and how they appear in the current NQF. It also highlights how qualifications broadly compare to the Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) levels.
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
Previous levels (examples) Current levels (examples) Levels (examples)
5 Level 5 NVQ in Construction Level 5 Diploma in
Translation
8 Specialist awards D (doctoral) Doctorates 7 Level 7 Diploma in
Translation M (masters) Masters degrees, GDL, LPC, PGCE, postgraduate certificates and diplomas.
4 Level 4 National Diploma in Professional Production Skills
Level 4 BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design
Level 4 Certificate in Early Years Practice
6 Level 6 National Diploma in Professional Production Skills
H (honours) Bachelor degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas
5 Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design
I (intermediate) Diplomas of higher education and further education, foundation degrees and higher national diplomas (HND)
4 Level 4 Certificate in Early
Years Practice C (certificate) Certificates of higher education and higher national certificates (HNC)
3 Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Care Level 3 NVQ in Aeronautical Engineering A-levels
2 Level 2 Diploma for Beauty Specialists Level 2 NVQ in Agricultural Crop Production GCSE Grades A* - C
1 Level 1 Certificate in Motor Vehicle Studies Level 1 NVQ in Bakery
GCSE Grades D - G 0 Entry Level
4. DURATION OF SUPPORT
Support provided by the Department will be limited to a maximum of 4 years full-time study or 6 years part-time study at undergraduate level. The only exception to this is for students undertaking medicine, dentistry, veterinary science or architecture.
Where an eligible student has undertaken a degree level course for 3 or more years (whether or not the student has previously received an award from the Department or been otherwise so supported either in the Island or elsewhere), the student shall be required to make a means tested contribution of a maximum of £1,000 per annum to the cost of the tuition fees. Examples of how to calculate if you will be required to pay any contribution to tuition fees can be found in Section 11.
5. HOW TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT AWARD
An application form must be completed and returned to the Student Awards Section. Forms are available from the Student Awards Section, the IOM College, the IBS and all the secondary schools from May onwards.
Application forms can also be downloaded from the Department‟s website at
www.gov.im/education/support/grants.xml.
Please note that students must complete an application form for every year that they are at university or college.
6. WHO NEEDS TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM?
Dependent students – a student and their parents or guardians are required to complete an
application form each year. If the birth parents do not live together, the Department will also require the income details of the spouse/cohabitant/civil partner (if applicable) of the parent with whom the student has resided with in the previous 2 years. If in doubt, contact the Department for guidance.
Independent students – a student and their spouse/cohabitant/civil partner (if applicable)
are required to complete an application form each year.
A student will be classed as a „dependent student‟ unless they meet one or more of the following criteria required for independent status:
(a) at the beginning of the first year of the course they – (i) are 25 years of age or over, or
(ii) have not been in full-time education for at least 3 years; (b) at the beginning of the year of the course for which the application is made they are married;
(c) for the period of 3 months before the beginning of the first year of the course they –
(i) have been looked after by the Department of Social Care (within the meaning of Section 24 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2001), and (ii) have not lived with either of their parents;
(d) neither of their parents are living.
Please note: All continuing applications will continue to be assessed as they have been in previous years.
7. WHEN TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT AWARD
There is no need to wait until results are received and/or the student has been unconditionally accepted on to the course. These can be forwarded at a later date. The
sooner an application is handed in, the sooner it will be processed. August is by far our busiest month and it can take up to five or six weeks to process an application if it is handed in at this time. It is therefore recommended that you hand your application in as soon as it is possible to do so.
The application must be submitted to the Department by the following dates:
1st year Postgraduate – not later than 1st September
1st year Undergraduate and all continuing applications – not later than 1st October
Applications received after these dates will not be considered unless there are exceptional extenuating circumstances, which would need to be detailed in writing to the Department. If the course begins in the Winter, Spring or Summer term, the application must be submitted no later than 1 month before the beginning of the course.
8. WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE
An award consists of the following elements:
Tuition fees only – this pays for the student‟s course fees;
Tuition fees and a means tested maintenance award – this pays for the student‟s course fees and provides help with living expenses.
The basic amount of maintenance award for a course at the Isle of Man College or the IBS is as shown:
Isle of Man College £
Non-degree course (35 weeks) 2,290 Degree course (30 weeks) 3,480
International Business School
Undergraduate & postgraduate degree courses 3,480
The basic amount of maintenance grant for a course elsewhere (other than postgraduate research) is as shown:
Basic Amount Extra weeks
United Kingdom & Foreign Country £ £ per week
London area & foreign country (assuming a 30 week course) 4,990 125 Oxford or Cambridge (assuming a 25 week course) 4,500 112 Elsewhere in the UK (assuming a 30 week course) 4,500 112 Therefore, if you are studying a 31 week course in the UK and outside of London, the basic amount of maintenance grant is £4,612.
The basic amount of maintenance grant for a postgraduate research course is shown below:
United Kingdom & Foreign Country £
London area & foreign country (52 weeks) 9,700 Elsewhere in the UK (52 weeks) 7,520
9. HOW TO CALCULATE HOW MUCH MAINTENANCE
GRANT A STUDENT CAN RECEIVE
When calculating an award, the Department takes into account the contributor‟s gross income from all sources less the taxable allowances as shown below:
Contributions to a pension fund/superannuation;
Mortgage interest on owner occupied property in respect of which relief is given against income tax (but not exceeding 30% of the person‟s gross income when combined with any loan interest);
Loan interest (but not exceeding 30% of the person‟s gross income when combined with any mortgage interest);
Maintenance payments (please provide copy of court order);
Charitable donations;
Domestic assistance (due to the incapacity of both parents);
Professional subscriptions or tool/clothing allowance.
Life assurance premiums, income tax payments and educational deeds of covenant are not allowable deductions.
Estimated income figures and allowances should all be entered in the relevant Sections on the application form. Please ensure that these estimates accurately reflect what you will declare on your 2010/11 Income Tax Return Form. Please see Section 14 for details of how this income is verified and how inaccurate estimates can lead to support being reduced or reclaimed.
The basic maintenance grant is reduced by reference to the total net household income, in accordance to the below table. If the basic grant less the reduction is a positive figure, it represents the provisional amount of maintenance grant that the student is eligible to receive. If it is a negative figure then the student will not be eligible for a provisional maintenance grant. Should there be more than one student from a particular household at university at the same time, the „Reduction‟ figure is divided equally among the students.
Net Income Reduction Net Income Reduction
£ £ £ £ 17,348 0 28,000 2,629 18,000 130 29,000 2,962 19,000 330 30,000 3,295 20,000 554 31,000 3,629 21,000 804 32,000 3,962 22,000 1,054 33,000 4,295 23,000 1,304 34,000 4,629 24,000 1,554 35,000 4,962 25,000 1,804 36,000 5,295 26,000 2,054 37,000 5,629 27,000 2,304 38,000 5,962
For intermediate amounts, the reduction is calculated as follows:
£17,348 - £19,515 add £1 for each £5 additional net income £19,516 - £27,105 add £1 for each £4 additional net income £27,106 + add £1 for each £3 additional net income
Examples of how the Department calculate maintenance grants are shown below:
(i) – one student attending University/College in the UK for an undergraduate degree.
£ £
Gross Parental Income 25,000 Less Taxable Allowances 1,776
Net Income 23,224
Reduction 1,360
Full maintenance grant 4,500
Less Reduction 1,360
Maintenance grant awarded 3,140
(ii) – two students from the same household attending University/College in the UK, both for undergraduate degrees.
If a student has a sibling(s) also attending College/University, the calculated reduction will be apportioned between those students.
£ £
Gross Parental Income 25,000 Less Taxable Allowances 1,776
Net Income 23,224
Reduction 1,360
Full maintenance grant 4,500 Less Reduction per student 680 Maintenance grant awarded 3,820
10. WHEN IS THE MAINTENANCE GRANT AVAILABLE?
The Department will send a student‟s grant cheque directly to the college/university (usually the Finance Office) for collection at the beginning of each term.
Autumn term grant cheque – start of the academic year Winter term grant cheque – January 2012
Spring term grant cheque – Easter 2012
Postgraduate students who are receiving their award in four instalments will receive the fourth payment on or around the 1st July 2012.
Please note:
It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Institute each term to arrange
collection of their cheque as no reminders will be sent by the Department or the Institute.
No advance payment of the maintenance award can be made.
All students will need to ensure they have a bank account in order to deposit
the cheque.
Please note that the final grant cheque will not be distributed until the
11. HOW TO CALCULATE IF YOU ARE LIABLE FOR THE
£1,000 MEANS TESTED CONTRIBUTION TO TUITION FEES
When is the contribution payable?
For courses starting in 2010 or 2011, if a student has previously undertaken a degree level course for 3 or more years they have to make a means tested contribution of a maximum of £1,000 per annum to the cost of the tuition fees for the fourth and any subsequent year. This applies whether or not the student has previously received such an award from the Department or elsewhere.
How is means testing carried out?
The Department takes into account the contributor‟s net household income in the same way that it does for the maintenance grant calculation. The contributor‟s net household income is calculated by subtracting the tax allowable deductions set out in Table 1 from the gross income of the household.
Table 1
Tax allowable deductions:
Contributions to a pension fund/superannuation;
Mortgage interest on owner occupied property in respect of which relief is given against income tax (but not exceeding 30% of the person‟s gross income when combined with any loan interest);
Loan interest (but not exceeding 30% of the person‟s gross income when combined with any mortgage interest);
Maintenance payments (please provide copy of court order);
Charitable donations, professional subscriptions or tool/clothing allowance;
Domestic assistance (due to the incapacity of both parents).
How is the contribution calculated?
Table 2 below shows the amount of reduction calculated from the contributor‟s net household income. The reduction is applied to the total maintenance grant to which the student would be entitled before means testing. If, after the reduction is applied, the result is a negative figure it represents the required contribution to the tuition fees grant, subject to a maximum of £1,000. If the result is a positive figure it represents the net grant to which the student is entitled and no contribution to tuition fees is required.
Table 2
Net Income Reduction Net Income Reduction
£ £ £ £ 17,348 0 29,000 2,962 18,000 130 30,000 3,295 19,000 330 31,000 3,629 20,000 554 32,000 3,962 21,000 804 33,000 4,295 22,000 1,054 34,000 4,629 23,000 1,304 35,000 4,962 24,000 1,554 36,000 5,295 25,000 1,804 37,000 5,629 26,000 2,054 38,000 5,962 27,000 2,304 39,000 6,295 28,000 2,629 40,000 6,629
For intermediate amounts, the reduction is calculated as follows:
£17,348 - £19,515 add £1 for each £5 additional net income £19,516 - £27,105 add £1 for each £4 additional net income £27,106 + add £1 for each £3 additional net income
Examples of how the Department would calculate whether a student who has been supported for three years is liable to pay a contribution. The examples apply in respect of a household where there is one student at university/college.
Example 1 £ £
Gross Parental Income 25,000 Less Taxable Allowances 1,000
Net Income 24,000
Reduction 1,554
Full maintenance grant 4,500
Less Reduction 1,554
Total 2,946
In this example there would be no contribution required from the student as the Total is positive.
Example 2 £ £
Gross Parental Income 38,000 Less Taxable Allowances 3,000
Net Income 35,000
Reduction 4,962
Full maintenance grant 4,500
Less Reduction 4,962
Total -462
In this example the Total is a negative figure and so a contribution required from the student will be £462.
Example 3 £ £
Gross Parental Income 50,000 Less Taxable Allowances 4,000
Net Income 46,000
Reduction 7,962
Full maintenance grant 4,500
Less Reduction 7,962
Total -3,462
In this example the Total is a negative figure and so a contribution will be required from the student. As the maximum contribution is £1,000, this is what the student will be required to pay.
As with the maintenance grant calculations, should there be more than one student from a particular household at university at the same time, the „Reduction‟ figure is divided equally among the students.
12. HOW ARE TUITION FEES PAID?
Once course confirmation and proof of results has been received, an official award letter will be issued as proof that full support has been agreed.
A copy must be submitted to the university or college to ensure that they invoice the Department directly.
Failure to do so will result in the student being invoiced for the tuition fees by the university.
Please note: if studying at an overseas institute or on a part-time/distance learning basis, the student may be required to make payment of the tuition fee upfront. This will then be refunded by the Department (please see Section 2 for details).
13. CALCULATION TABLES FOR FULL MEANS TESTED
TUITION FEES
For students undertaking part-time/distance learning courses, the Department uses
the following table to assess its contribution:
Household Net Income Percentage of tuition fees payable by the Department Less than £21,000 100% £21,001 - £25,000 75% £25,001 - £30,000 50% £30,001 - £35,000 25% £35,001 and over 0%
Household income includes the income of the student.
The amount of fees payable by the Department for part-time/distance learning courses is subject to a maximum of £3,500 in any one academic year.
For full-time students aged 30 - 39 studying off-island and all students over 40 years of age, the Department uses the following table to assess contribution. The net income of the student is not included, just the income of any partner or spouse:
Net Income Reduction Net Income Reduction
£ £ £ £ 17,348 0 28,000 2,629 18,000 130 29,000 2,962 19,000 330 30,000 3,295 20,000 554 31,000 3,629 21,000 804 32,000 3,962 22,000 1,054 33,000 4,295 23,000 1,304 34,000 4,629 24,000 1,554 35,000 4,962 25,000 1,804 36,000 5,295 26,000 2,054 37,000 5,629 27,000 2,304 38,000 5,962
For intermediate amounts, the reduction is calculated as follows:
£17,348 - £19,515 add £1 for each £5 additional net income £19,516 - £27,105 add £1 for each £4 additional net income £27,106 + add £1 for each £3 additional net income
14. HOW IS INCOME VERIFIED?
The Department will require a copy of both sides of the contributors‟ „Resident Assessment Notice‟. Examples are given on the following page.
The Department takes the income and allowance figures listed on the „Resident Assessment Notice‟ and uses them to replace the estimates which were listed on the original application form submitted before the beginning of the course. Any difference between the estimates and the verified figures listed on the „Resident Assessment Notice‟ will result in changes to the level of the maintenance grant.
Please be aware that support may have to be reduced or reclaimed should the estimated income figures listed in the original application form prove to be inaccurate once the income verification process is completed.
Please note that the final grant cheque will not be distributed until the relevant Resident Assessment Notice has been received by the Department.
SIDE 1
RESIDENT ASSESSMENT NOTICE
Mr A NONYMOUS Tax Reference No : H356219-46
12 ANYWHERE ROAD Year : 2010/2011
ANYWHERE Assessment No : 00738491
ISLE OF MAN Assessment Date : 15th July 2011
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This is a notice of assessment for the income tax year 2010/2011. The TOTAL TAX amounts to £808.50.
The BALANCE shows an amount overpaid. It will be refunded subject to other checks being carried out on your current tax position.
ASSESSOR OF INCOME TAX
ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT – INCOME TAX DIVISION – PAYMENT COUNTERFOIL
MR A NONYMOUS Tax Reference No: H356219-46
Year : 2010/2011 NOT APPICABLE Assessment No : 00738491 NO PAYMENT REQUIRED
Assessment Date : 15th July 2011
SIDE 2
Notice of Assessment & Statement of Tax for 2010/11 Tax Ref No: H356219-46 Assessment No: 00738491 Notes Description Amounts Rates Totals
INCOME Employer Child Benefit Bank Interest TOTAL INCOME GENERAL DEDUCTIONS Loan Interest Paid Mortgage Interest Paid Life Insurance ALLOWANCES Single Allowance TAXABLE INCOME TOTAL LIABILITY TOTAL TAX ITIP BALANCE 18,000 2,000 50 (185) (2560) (20) (9,200) 8,085 (1,000.00) @10% 20,050 8,085 808.50 808.50 191.50CR
BANK GIRO CREDIT £ P
£5 Notes
Date Reference No. R £ Notes
ISLE OF MAN BANK LIMITED 50p Coins
DOUGLAS Other Silver
THE ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TAX Bronze Coins
Paid in by Total Cash £
Items Cheques, P.O’s etc
55-91-00 £
15. INCOME FROM A BUSINESS OR COMPANY
If a contributor has an income that is derived partly or wholly from business(es), or a part or controlling interest in a company or trust, they need to submit the following in addition to a copy of the „Resident Assessment Notice‟:
Trading, Profit & Loss account;
Balance Sheet;
Income Tax Computation
16. CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES – DROP IN INCOME
If a contributor estimates that there will be a drop of 20% or more in their gross income for the year end 5th April 2012 due to ‘circumstances beyond their control’, the Department may
in its discretion, reassess the award on the basis of their current year‟s income. Should the award be reassessed as such, the contributor‟s income will continue to be assessed on the current year for the duration of the course.
If this applies to you, please contact the Student Awards Section to discuss the situation and request the relevant documentation.
Please be aware that support may have to be reduced or reclaimed should estimated income figures supplied to the Department as a result of a drop in income prove to be inaccurate once the income verification process is completed.
17. EDUCATIONAL DEEDS OF COVENANT
Please be aware that as a result of taxation changes introduced in the 2011/12 Budget, tax relief for payments made in respect of educational deeds of covenant will continue only for those covenants entered into on or before 5th April 2011 and where the student is in qualifying
full time education at that date. Going forward from that date, the relief will be abolished.
18. TRANSFERRING COURSES
A student may change to another course or institution and continue to receive support if they do so within 12 months of the start of the course. This is on the condition that:
They have the written agreement of the institutions concerned
They are transferring to an equivalent point of study
They notify the Department in writing within that 12 months
19. FAILURE & WITHDRAWAL
When a student fails or decides to withdraw from a course, they must notify the Department as soon as possible, in writing, detailing the reasons for withdrawal or failure. If the reason was medical, medical confirmation must also be submitted. The Department will then request a report from the University or College on the student‟s attendance and application to work. Upon receipt of all correspondence, the Department will decide whether or not to reclaim any money from the student and contributors, along with the amount of any reclaim.
Please Note: As per the signed declaration in the application form, the student and contributors are jointly and severally liable to repay an award in the event of a repayment being requested by the Department.
20. WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH A
DECISION MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT
All applications for a student award will initially be determined by the Student Awards Officers. If the student is aggrieved by the decision of the Student Awards Officers, the student may, within 14 days of notification of the decision, request a review of the decision. At this stage, the student must clearly outline, in writing, their reasons for requesting the review. The Department will then arrange for an officer who is more senior than the one who made the original decision to undertake this review.
If the student remains aggrieved following the review, they may, within 14 days of notification of the decision, request a further review which will be heard by an independent panel of 3. The student may request that the review is either heard in person or by written submission. The panel will consider the review and make a recommendation to the Department who will then confirm its decision in writing.
21. DISABLED STUDENT’S ALLOWANCE
A student who suffers from a significant special educational need and who will, in the Department‟s opinion, incur substantial additional expenses in attending their course, may be entitled to additional support. It is important to note that for new applicants disabled allowances form part of the maintenance grant.
If a student does not qualify for a maintenance grant, they are not eligible for DSA support.
If a student feels they may be eligible for DSA Support, please contact the Student Awards Section as soon as possible for a DSA Guide and Application Form. It can take several months for both the university and Department to complete the full review process.
22. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING
AVAILABLE?
Funding may be available, in addition to a grant, from one of the following: a) Certain Department of Social Care Benefits:
Please contact, The Department of Social Care, Markwell House, Douglas, Isle of Man. Telephone 685094.
b) Educational Trust Funds
There is a selection of funds that are administered by the Department. Students under
the age of 24 suffering hardship may apply in writing to John Gill, Head of Legal &
Administrative Services, Department of Education and Children, Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, IM1 5EZ.
c) Manchester University Convocation IOM Group Postgraduate Grant
A grant is available to students undertaking postgraduate study at Manchester University, and who are in receipt of support from the Department of Education. For further details, please write to Mrs E Higgins, Hon. Treasurer, Manchester University Convocation Isle of Man Group, Birchleigh House, Hillberry Road, Onchan, IM3 4EU. Telephone 620197
d) Gubay’s Gift
As a result of a generous gift from Mr Albert Gubay, a bursary is available to those students attending one of the world‟s top ten Universities. For more information regarding this, please contact [email protected]
e) Decorative and Fine Arts Society Isle of Man (DFAS IOM)
A bursary is available to a student studying Art or an Arts related subject (including architecture, furniture design, etc). Applications in writing should be forwarded via the Department and addressed to Dr Anne Lee, Chairman, Isle of Man Decorative and Fine Arts Society.
f) Isle of Man Water and Sewage Authority Engineering Bursary
This bursary is to encourage young people to study Civil Engineering to the highest of levels. We would like to offer a financial bursary of £2,000 per academic year to two IoM students who are about to begin their 2nd year of a Civil Engineering degree.
It is important to us that you are passionate about becoming an Engineer of quality and sport the kind of enthusiasm which will add value to engineering projects.
You should apply in writing telling us about why you have chosen to study Civil Engineering and what your aspirations for the future are. Details of your exam successes to date should be included. Your letter should also identify:
Why you would like to be considered
What you aspirations/goals for the future are
What grades you achieved at GCSE, AS and A2 (or equivalent)
What your first year at University has produced (exam results, life learning, interests)
All applications to;
Strictly Private and Confidential
The H.R. Manager, The Isle of Man Water Authority,Drill Hall, Tromode Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 5PA.
Telephone: 01624 695943
Email: [email protected]
g) The Lady Monica Cockfield Memorial Trust
The Trust is directed towards encouraging studies at postgraduate level in matters directly related to the European Union. Applications should be forwarded via the Department in writing to the Lady Monica Cockfield Memorial Trust and must include a copy of your c.v.
h) Spencer/Wright Drama Award
An award is available for those students undertaking a Higher Education course in the field of Drama. For further details, please write to Ms Linda Parr, MADF Secretary, 25 Campion Way, Abbeyfields, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 7DT
23. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If I am awarded a maintenance grant, how and where do I receive the
payment ?
Maintenance awards are paid in three instalments at the start of the Autumn, Winter and Spring terms by cheque, payable to the student. The cheques are sent to the university for collection by the student.
How do I confirm to my University within the Isle of Man or the UK that the
Department is paying my tuition fees for the new academic year ?
If your application is approved and we have received both proof of results and course confirmation, an official award letter confirming that the Department will pay full approved fees for the new academic year is issued either to parents or directly to an Independent student. A copy of this letter should be given to the University to enable them to invoice the Department for the tuition fees.
I have received an invoice directly from the University for my tuition fees,
what should I do ?
The invoice should be returned to the University with a copy of the official award letter (mentioned above). The University should then invoice the Department directly.
Do I need to reapply for support for each academic year ?
Yes, a Continuing Undergraduate or Continuing Postgraduate application form is issued to students in April or May for the second and subsequent years of their course.
Does the Department pay the student’s accommodation costs ? No, this is the student‟s responsibility.
My maintenance grant is not enough to cover my living costs while at
University, can I receive any additional maintenance ?
The only support available from Student Awards is the means tested maintenance grant. The means tested maintenance grant is awarded under the Student Awards regulations and is to assist with living expenses. However, this may not cover the full living costs of the student (e.g. accommodation).
I have decided to leave my course, what should I do ?
You should advise the Student Awards Section and your University as soon as possible. You must then submit your reasons in writing as to why you have left. A report will then be sent to the University and the comments will then be taken into consideration by a Senior Officer when making any necessary reclaim decision.
I am Manx born but have been living off the Island for a number of years
prior to the beginning of the course, would I qualify for support ?
No, you must have been continuously resident for 3 or more years immediately prior to the beginning of the course to meet the residential criteria.
What is a Week’s Verification Form ?
This form is issued with the official award letter and should be completed by the University to confirm the exact number of weeks you are in attendance during the academic year. The University will then return the form to the Department and your maintenance grant will then be reduced or increased to reflect the correct number of weeks in attendance. If this form is not returned to the Department, the final maintenance cheque will not be paid out.
Is your form available online ?
All forms and the guide to student finance can be downloaded at
