UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
STUDENT SERVICES
APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 2015/16
Discretionary Fund
Childcare Fund
Student Services, Eden Court, The Scores
T: (01334 46)2720 E:
money.advice@st-andrews.ac.uk
APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 2015/2016
Discretionary Fund; Childcare Fund (
including Lone Parent Childcare Grant)
Complete the Form and provide appropriate documentation.
Forms must be completed and submitted with appropriate documentation at least 2 days prior to an appointment, if an appointment is required.
Both the Discretionary Fund and the Childcare Fund are provided by the Government to assist students in financial difficulties and to provide money for essential living costs. The Government lays down guidance and eligibility criteria for distribution of the Funds but the University has discretion as to how they are allocated. However, the fund is not unlimited – it does run out! So students should apply early if they consider that they have an overall shortfall of income for the academic session. Students are expected to have taken out both their maximum overdraft and full Student Loan entitlements and any other sources of income to which they may be eligible.
Discretionary Fund: Any award received is a grant and not a loan. Priority is given to:-
childcare costs
final year students
mature students who need assistance with essential living and accommodation costs
students with extra costs due to health or disability
Childcare Fund: The Lone Parent Childcare Grant is now part of the main Childcare Grant. Any award received is a grant and not a loan. This scheme is for Undergraduate Students studying in Scotland and is to assist with additional costs for registered childcare.
Please note: -- Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland Funding Bodies who are eligible for childcare grants are not eligible for the Childcare Fund but can apply to the Discretionary Fund. Applications to both Funds are welcome from all eligible students but:-
These Funds are not for students who spend too much and run out of money
These Funds are not for students whose parents do not meet their assessed financial contribution (except in exceptional circumstances)
Successful applicants must demonstrate genuine financial hardship.
The Payment system must be completed to allow any assistance to be processed. Your Bank Account must be the same as held on the Payment System. You can set up your details on the Payment System or check your details via E-vision: Finance, select Scholarships, Expenses – enter bank details as required.
The following details are required only for the purpose of considering the application and will be treated as confidential.
Please Write Clearly
ID No.
A. PERSONAL DETAILS
Full Name
Term-Time Address
Date of Birth
Tel/Mobile
University
Did you apply to Discretionary Fund in academic year 2014/15? Yes No
If yes, you will be contacted if you require an appointment to discuss your application.
If you are a Part-time student, or applying for Childcare assistance; or making a New
application you are required to make an appointment to discuss your application.
Student Status: Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Part-time
Full-time
NB: Only students regarded as “home” students by the University are eligible to apply.
Please confirm you fall into that category by ticking the box provided.
Personal Status:
Married
Living with partner
Single
Divorced
Separated
Widow(er)
Lone Parent
Do you have children?
If yes, what
ages__________
Have you been in Care?
Accommodation: University
Relative
Private*
Own
Local Authority/Housing Association*
Other
*Please indicate Landlord’s Name/Company:
B. ACADEMIC
Course of study
Year of Study
Completion Date
If you are taking longer than the normal period explain why
Which Fund do you wish to apply for?
C. FUNDING
Total Amount of Tuition Fees:
Amount met by
your Funding Body:
Amount met
by Self:
SOURCES OF INCOME:
What is the maximum Maintenance Student Loan available to you?
Amount of Young Student’s/Independent Bursary/Maintenance Grant (If any)?
Scholarship/Trusts/etc.
How much are your family expected to contribute per year?
Total £
All Applicants
Do you have capital in excess of £1,000?
YES
(include shares, money in building society, ISA, etc.)
If yes please give details
D. FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
1. Monthly Rent / Mortgage
2. Date of Next Rent/Mortgage Payment
3. Bank or Building Society Details – If you have more than one Bank Account
please submit details of ALL ACCOUNTS – continue on separate sheet if
necessary.
Do you have an overdraft?
Yes No
What overdraft limit have you agreed?
What is your current balance?
Name and address of Bank or Building
Society
Account no. (8 digits)
Sort code
(6 digits)
If you have not applied for an overdraft, why
not?
Do you have a credit card?
Yes No
Give full details of amount of credit available to you; balance on card and
repayment details.
Credit Card Name
Credit Limit
Outstanding Debt
Minimum Monthly
Repayments
4. Monthly Financial Situation
NB: Calculate the monthly amount by dividing your full year’s funding by: - 9 for Undergraduates and 12 for Postgraduates.
I. INCOME
SELF PARTNER
Student Loan/Professional Career Dev. Loan £ £
SFE/SAAS/SFW,SFNI, Bursary: Maintenance Grant,
Special Support grant £ £
Family Contribution £ £
Earnings £ £
SAAS Lone Parent Grant £ £
Trust/Scholarships £ £
Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit/Childcare Tax Credit £ £
Child Benefit £ £
State Benefits/Pensions £ £
Disability Living Allowance £ £
Overdraft £ £
Other: Specify £ £
Other: Specify £ £
Other: Specify £ £
Income Monthly Total £ £
Joint Monthly Total £ II. EXPENDITURE
If you have a partner/children give your family expenditure. If single, give only own expenditure
Housing: Rent/Mortgage £
Council Tax £
Other housing costs: House Insurance £
Bills Gas/Electricity £ TV Licence £ Telephone/ Internet £ Mobile £ Food £ Clothing/Laundry £ Study Costs £ Social Activities £
Tuition Fees if not covered by Funding Body £
Travel to University £
Debt Repayments – please itemise £
Debt Repayments – please itemise £
Childcare Costs £
Other: Specify £
Other: Specify £
Other: Specify £
DEBTS (If you owe any money please complete this section)
Creditor
Amount
Outstanding Balance
CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO DF APPLICATION (REQUIRED)
Please use this space to detail the circumstances leading to this application for assistance. All information given will be treated in strictest confidence.How much is your actual or anticipated shortfall of money this academic session?
List of documents to provide (photocopies only)
o SAAS Award Letter (both sides) Scottish Student only o SFE or SFW or SFNI Award Notice (all pages both sides) o Evidence of Scholarships/Trusts Awards
o Evidence of Childcare costs
o Current Bank statement or On-Line printout (statement at least 1 month) o Cash point mini-statement which show balance (Day of Application) o Evidence of rent or mortgage
o Evidence of credit card payments
o Evidence of Professional Career Development Loan o Benefits Information
o Evidence of Tax Credits full HMRC Letter
Please note: The failure to produce the required evidence and/or entering your Bank details
into the Payment System via E-Vision will delay processing the application and may invalidate
it.
DECLARATION
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL SECTIONS OF THE APPLICATION FORM AND SUBMITTED THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE. (You should supply photocopied evidence.)
I understand that the University does not guarantee that all eligible students will receive a payment. I also understand that receipt of an award this academic session does not guarantee that such an award will be automatically available to me again.
I have read and understood the Notes of Guidance to Applicants made available in this form.
I confirm I have applied for the maximum Student Loan available to me and as far as I am aware I am in receipt of this amount.
I agree to repay any overpayment made to me, even if it is not my error and that no further payments will be made should I Withdraw from my course or take a Leave of Absence. I confirm that I will notify Student Services of any change in my circumstances.
I declare that the information given on this form is complete and correct. I understand that, if I give information which is incorrect or incomplete, action may be taken to recover any award made to me and I may be barred from matriculation or graduation until the award is recovered.
I understand that this information is confidential to the University and that the University's auditor may have access to this information.
I have entered my Bank details on the payment system Yes No
Please Note: Postal applications should be sent either by Recorded Delivery or Next Day Delivery as Student Services cannot guarantee receipt of your application otherwise.
What can I do if I am unhappy with the decision I receive? Who can I complain to?
Put your written complaint into Ailsa Ritchie, Deputy Director of Student Services, Eden Court, The Scores. The complaint will be considered by an Appeal Committee consisting of the Director of Student Services, Deputy Director of Student Services and a Senior Sabbatical Officer from the Students' Association. You will receive a written
response within 21 working days.
STUDENT SERVICES
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED (You should supply photocopied evidence)
Received Comments
SAAS Award Letter (both sides) Scottish Student only
SFE or SFW or SFNI Award Notice (all pages both sides)
Evidence of Scholarships/Trusts Awards
Evidence of Childcare costs
Current Bank or Building Society or On-Line printout (statement at least 1 month)
Cash point mini-statement which shows balance (Day of Application)
Evidence of rent or mortgage
Evidence of credit card payments
Evidence of Professional Career Development Loan
Benefits Information
Evidence of Tax Credits full HMRC Letter
DF Award for Academic Session 2015-16
Date Method Installments Payments (in £) Running Total C/R Adviser
Name: __________________________________________ ID No.
Bank Details on E-Vision Yes No Date Received:
Registered Yes No Appointment with:
University Debt Yes No Appointment Date: Amount and Reason of Debt _______________________ Appointment Time: