The bursary package is made up of income assessed and non-income assessed elements. Everyone who is eligible for the bursary will receive the non-income assessed elements automatically.

Non –Income Assessed Assistance

Basic Grant

If you meet the eligibility criteria you are automatically eligible for the basic grant and tuition fee assistance. If you study at an HEI outside London we will offer you a grant of up to £3,075 (£1,537.50 for students on a part-time course) for a 52 week period. If you study at a London-based HEI we will offer you a grant of up to £3,475 (£1,737.50 for students on a part-time course) for a 52 week period. Your grant will be paid in 3 instalments. We will also pay up to £3,300 (£1,255 for students on a part-time course) for tuition fess directly to your HEI after 1st December 2008 (1st March 2009 for winter start courses).

Practice Learning Opportunity

A fixed contribution of £575 (£278.50 for students on a part-time course) for placement travel has been built into the basic grant. As the contribution will not be specifically for placement travel costs, you are free to use the basic grant in a manner that best suits your individual circumstances.

Disabled Students’ Allowances

Students with a disability may also apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs). DSAs are non-income assessed and we offer the following rates:

Non Medical Helpers Allowance – Up to £20,000 (£15,000 for students on a part-time course) for a 52 week period.

Specialist Equipment Allowance – Up to £5,030 for the duration of the course.

General Allowance – Up to £1,680 (£1,260 for students on a part-time course) for a 52 week period.

Income Assessed Assistance

The income assessed element of the bursary is made up of:

• A maintenance grant; and
• Allowances for dependants.

These are subject to eligibility and may be paid in addition to the non-income assessed elements of the bursary.

Maintenance Grant

If you are studying at an HEI outside London, you may be entitled to a maintenance grant of up to £2,544 (£1,272 for students on a part-time course) for a 52 week period. If you are studying at a London-based HEI, you may be entitled to a maintenance grant of up to £3,928 (£1,964 for students on a part-time course) for a 52 week period.

To calculate how much grant you are entitled to we look at:

• Your net unearned income during the current academic year; and
• Your partner’s residual income from the previous tax year.

If your estimated net unearned income is less than £8,266, it will not affect the amount of income-assessed grant you receive. If your income is over £8,266, your grant will be reduced by £1 for every £1 over that amount.

If your partner’s residual income is less than £20,359, it will not affect the amount of income-assessed grant you receive. If your partner’s residual income is over £20,359, your grant will be reduced by £45 and an additional £1 for every £8 they earn over that amount.

When calculating your grant amount, we may also take into consideration other dependants in your family.

Allowances for Dependants

Allowances for dependants consist of the childcare allowance, adult dependants allowance and parents learning allowance (PLA). We calculate your entitlement using the estimated net income of your partner for the current tax year and your childcare costs for the current academic year. All three allowances are income-assessed; you do not automatically qualify for an award if you have dependants.

Childcare Allowance

If you are eligible, we will pay up to 85% of your registered or approved childcare costs. If you have one child in childcare, we will pay up to £148.75 per week for a 52 week period or until the end of the course. If you have 2 or more children in childcare we will pay up to £255 per week for a 52 week period or until the end of your course (students on a part-time course can claim up to half of these amounts). Registered childcare means that your provider is registered with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). Registered childcare includes childminders, nurseries, playgroups, early excellence centres and holiday play schemes. Approved childcare means that your provider only provides care for children aged between 8 and 14 and has been approved by an accredited organisation’s Quality Assurance Scheme accredited by the Department for Educations and Skills.

Adult Dependant Allowance

If you have an adult who is wholly or mainly financially dependent on you when you are studying, you may be eligible for up to £2,575 (£1,287.50 for students on a part-time course) for a 52 week period. You may claim for one adult dependant only. If the adult dependant is not your partner, their net income cannot be more than £3,705 for the current tax year. If your partner is a student and receiving a statutory award, you are not eligible for this allowance.

Parents Learning Allowance

If you have a child or children, you may be eligible for up to £1,470 (£735 for students on a part-time course) for a 52 week period. This normally includes children up to the age of 18 in full time education but does not include children in higher education.