24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Fund 2013/14
Full and part time students
If you have taken out a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan, this bursary fund can assist you with course
related costs such as travel costs, childcare costs, books and equipment and Additional Learning
Support (includes learning support, specialist resources or other necessary adjustments).
This bursary cannot be used to pay learners’ fees.
Awards are not an entitlement they are discretionary, income assessed -with the exception of
Additional Learning Support.
All awards are based on personal circumstances, subject to funds being available, your eligibility and
your attendance at College.
You can apply for one bursary only for the academic year irrespective of the number of loans you have
received.

You must have received the 24+ Advanced
Learning Loan

You must be confirmed as attending your course
and

You must be personally eligible i.e. home
student status


Your household income must be below a
certain level, however we can use discretion in
exceptional circumstances including ALS
Your attendance must meet the requirements
(this is currently 91% however we do take
personal circumstances into consideration for
example caring responsibilities or disabilities)
Awards are not released until you have been confirmed as attending your course.
If you are applying for travel costs, you need to ensure you can fund AT LEAST 2 WEEKS travel to
college. You may also want to purchase your own equipment/kit/uniform before starting the course
as awards will not be processed until you are confirmed as attending your course.
For information about travel tickets and discounts go to www.simplygo.com www.stagecoachbus.com
www.networkonetickets.co.uk www.arrivabus.co.uk
We do want you to receive your award as quickly as possible so we will endeavour to process correctly
completed applications within 10 working days, however, this may vary at busiest times.
Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is correct at the time of writing however details may be subject to change. This fact sheet is for information only and not
an authoritative statement of the law.
CATEGORIES OF SUPPORT
Childcare
Travel
You may qualify for a contribution towards
Awards are based on where you live and how many days
childcare costs if you do not have a partner who
you attend college or placement. Awards may be split in
can care for your child(ren). All awards are paid
order to confirm commitment/attendance. Payments can
direct to your provider. You are liable for any fees be made by BACS direct into your bank account or by
incurred prior to an award being agreed. If you
voucher. Awards can be a contribution towards travel
choose to use a provider whose charges are in
costs if you use private transport. The voucher will give
excess of our maximum award you will be liable for you a student travel ticket which gives unlimited travel by
these fees. Awards are calculated on your
bus and metro throughout the Tyne & Wear area. You can
timetable and when you are due to attend your
use this in the evenings and at weekends. Should you lose
course only. If you use childcare outside of these
your ticket this voucher will not be re-issued so it is to
hours you will be liable for the fees. You need to
your advantage to enquire at the Travel Shop about
apply for childcare at the earliest opportunity as
insurance.
the fund for childcare quickly becomes depleted.
You must live over 3 miles from your place of learning and
Course grants
your travel costs must be over £5 per week. Your award
This category is for help with any costs relating to
notification will include information about how it has been
your course. This grant may not cover the full cost calculated. You can always request a review of any award.
it may be a contribution towards it. Awards will
not be released until you have been confirmed as
If you cannot use public transport due to a
attending your course and you meet the
disability/learning difficulty please state this on your
attendance requirements.
application form and we will contact you to assess your
requirements.
INCOME ASSESSMENT
If your gross annual income and that of your partner (if you have one) is less than the following allowances
you are eligible to apply.
Status
Income
Status
Income
Single/Lone Parent
£17,000
Couple
£24,000
First child add £2,000. For 2 or more children add £3,000
For example a couple with one child with an income of £26,000 would be considered for support.
If you (or your partner if you have one), are in receipt of an income related benefit you will be eligible to
apply. The current benefits are listed below. Eligible welfare benefits will be subject to review in line with
the introduction of the Welfare Reform Act and universal credit.
Income based jobseeker’s allowance
Income support
Income related employment and support allowance
Housing benefit
How to Apply
For forms and information about student
funding contact:
The Support Funds Team
Student Services
Baltic Campus, Quarryfield Road
Gateshead NE8 3BE
0191 4904627
Support.funds@gateshead.ac.uk
For information about any other aspect of student
finance including welfare benefits or housing issues
contact:
Students’ Advice Service, Student Services
Baltic Campus, Quarryfield Road
Gateshead NE8 3BE
0191 4902325
Student.advice@gateshead.ac.uk
Moodle: Student Advice & Finance
Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is correct at the time of writing however details may be subject to change. This fact sheet is for information only and not
an authoritative statement of the law.