Student Finance Complex Assessments March 2016 EU & EEA Migrant Workers Daniel Swinburne Senior Assessor – Processing Services EU Tuition Fee Loan Eligibility Tuition Fee Support Only EU National or Family Member of an EU National Eligible course Resident within the EEA / Switzerland for the 3 years prior to the start of the course Subject to standard Previous Study criteria, with the exception of students in Wales where overseas Previous Study is discounted Migrant Workers – Full Support Full Support available for the relevant domicile and cohort EEA National in UK employment or Family Member of an EEA National who is in UK employment Resident within the EEA / Switzerland for the 3 years prior to the start of the course Resident in England on 1st Day of the 1st Academic Year of the course All periods of UK residency for non EEA Nationals must be Lawful and registered with the Home Office MW Process Subject to standard Previous Study criteria, with the exception of students in Wales where overseas Previous Study is discounted Employment evidence is now needed each term to ensure continuing funding Evidence is required after the start of the 1st Day of the 1st Academic Year. Then prior to Term 2 & Term 3 Assessments show as fully approved on SIS, however any relevant Maintenance Payments are held by SFE if the required evidence is not received MW Process Students are contacted in advance of the required dates by email & SMS to request the relevant evidence Cover Sheets are sent with the email so that the student can send these with their evidence to ensure that the Continuing Evidence is identified when received and passed to the Migrant Worker Team to review as priority Students can also email their evidence if they wish, however the preferred method is post Reminder emails and SMS messages are issued to any students who have not responded to the evidence requests MW Funding Migrant Worker status can be lost or gained at any point during the Academic Year Funding is awarded pro-rata on a day by day basis If a student is initially approved for EU Funding only and then subsequently is awarded Migrant Worker status then the EU funding is cancelled, this includes reversal of the Tuition Fee Loan in order to transfer the student to SFE If a student loses their Migrant Worker status part way through the Academic Year they will remain with SFE but Maintenance Support will be removed for the remainder of the Academic Year Independent Students Jonathon Vinton Processing - Senior Assessor, Independent Team Independent Students Categories of Independent Status There are 8 categories a student can fall under as an Independent student. They are as follows: A student’s parents cannot be found or it is not reasonably practical to get in touch with them. The student is irreconcilably estranged (has no/limited contact with) with their parents and this will not change. Estrangement At any point from the age of 16 to the start of their course, the student has not been under the legal care of their parents; and, for three months or more, they have been in the custody or legal care of, or have been given accommodation by, a local authority. Care Leaver The students parents are living outside the European Union and the assessment of their financial circumstances would place them in jeopardy. The student has applied for student finance before, and the sole parent who was assessed for a contribution has died. Both the students parents have died. The students parents are living outside the European Union and it would not be reasonably practicable or possible for them to send you money. The student has supported themselves financially for a total of three years or more prior to the start of the first academic year of their course. Self Support Independent Students Student’s who are 25 or over on the first day of the academic year, who have either child dependents or who are married/divorced/separated are automatically classed as Independent and are therefore not processed by the Independent Team. The Independent processing team handled around 25,000 applications where students had applied as an Independent student in the 2014/15 academic year. 15,826 (65%) of all students who applied were awarded Independent status. 3,287 (13%) of all students who applied were deemed dependent. 1,401 (6%) of all students who applied were non-income assessed either for paid placement years or were applicable for a NHS bursary. The remaining 4,486 (18%) have yet to supply sufficient evidence for Independent status under any category or have yet to supply any evidence after the first request. Independent Students 5,954 (38%) of the successful applicants were awarded Independent status on the basis that they were supporting themselves financially for 3 years or more prior to their course start. 5,860 (37%) of the successful applicants were awarded Independent status on the grounds that they were estranged from their natural/adoptive parents. 2,727 (17%) of the successful applicants were awarded Independent status on the grounds that they are Care Leavers. The remaining 8% fall in to the other 5 categories. Independent Students Each application for Independent status is dealt with on a ‘case by case’ basis For returning estranged students all previously received evidence is reviewed before a decision is made Students aren’t classed as Independent if they have simply moved in to their own term time address (Halls of residence or other housing for higher education studies) If a student’s parents refuse to provide their details in support of the application, the student can still be considered for Independent status All Care Leavers & Self Supporting students are awarded Independent status for the duration of studies 10% of Estranged Students were awarded Independent status for the duration of their studies in the 2014/15 academic year Independent Students What support is available? SLC work in conjunction with other companies and charities in order to help students obtain the best advice and information possible before, during and after their application as an Independent Student. All students are prompted to visit their own institutions Student Support officers/advisors for additional support and information. In addition students also have the opportunity to visit charities and external student support groups such as NASMA (www.nasma.org.uk), Stand Alone (www.standalone.org.uk) who specialise in estranged students, the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (www.NNECL.org.uk) & Propel (www.propel.org) who both specialise in Care Leavers. Independent Students What support is available? Contact Details • Independent Enquiries Inbox: independent_student_enquiries@slc.co.uk • Practitioner Support e-mail: ssin_queries@slc.co.uk • Practitioner website: http://practitioners.studentfinanceengland.co.uk • Student Website: www.gov.uk/contact-student-finance-england • Customer Service Centre Darlington: 0300 100 0607 • Practitioner Helpline: 0845 602 0583 • Student Support Helpline: 0845 300 5090 Questions so far? Grants for Dependants Support for students with child or adult dependants Ryan Swann - Grants for Dependants, Team Manager Objectives • Department overview • Understand Grants for Dependants products • Understand how to calculate GFDs • Understand why grants may change through the academic year • Key changes since last year • Understand common questions, complaints and challenges when processing GFDs • Overview of other GFD activities Department Overview • Student Finance England • Based in Lingfield Point, Darlington • 112 assessors, 9 team managers and 1 operations manager • 9 assessing teams (7 day shift and 2 back shift) • Additional dedicated teams for quality assurance, fraud prevention, finalisation, discretionary payments, high level queries and complaints • Using OpX software to manage SLA • Student Finance Wales • Based in Llandudno Junction • 12 assessors, 4 up-skilled GFD assessors in their Resolve team • 1 assessing team manager • Expected volumes in 2016/17 • ADG/PLA 65,000 • CCG 42,000 GFD Product Overview • • • • • • • • • Grants for Dependants teams assess all core products for our students Grants for Dependants covers three main support products • Parent’s Learning Allowance (PLA) • Adult Dependants’ Grant (ADG) • Childcare Grant (CCG) Same basic eligibility as core products Applied in addition to any core loans or grants Fully means tested Evidence will likely be required Available for English full time students Available for Welsh full time & part time students GFD department also processes some aspects of Special Support Product Changes in 2016/17 • • All GFD support in the 2016/17 the same as 2015/16 Special Support • 2012 cohort had Special Support Grant • The student is a lone parent who is responsible for a child or a young person aged under 20 who is a member of the student's household, and who is in fulltime education • The student is a lone foster parent of a child or young person aged under 20 • The student has a partner who is also a full-time student and one or both of them are responsible for a child or young person aged under 20 who is in fulltime non-advanced education • 2016 cohort has Special Support • Loses grant, but gains additional loan • “Eligible for benefits” GFD Products – PLA • • • • • • • Any student who has a dependant child Evidence of child identity dependence required Doesn’t have to be a biological child Couple who are both students can both apply for full PLA for the same dependant PLA cannot be claimed for an unborn child No child upper age limit Child can’t be in receipt of a statutory award England Full Time Wales Full Time 75%-99% 60%-74% 50%-59% 2014/15 £1523 £1557 £1167.75 £934.20 £778.50 2015/16 onwards £1573 £1557 £1167.75 £934.20 £778.50 GFD Products – ADG • • • Dependant partner of a student over 25, or Dependant spouse of a student, or Other adult dependant of a student • Clarification of relationship, income and residence • Financial evidence required annually • Can’t claim for a child, even if over 18 England Full Time Wales Full Time 75%-99% 60%-74% 50%-59% 2014/15 £2668 £2732 £2049 £1639.20 £1366 2015/16 onwards £2757 £2732 £2049 £1639.20 £1366 GFD Products – CCG • • • • • • 85% of childcare costs during term time and holidays, up to a maximum cap Eligibility requirements • Childcare must be registered with relevant authority e.g. OFSTED • Children aged under 15 at the beginning of the academic year • Under 17 if they have special educational needs • Student or partner must not be claiming the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit / Universal Credit Initially issued on estimated childcare costs Estimates capped if no provider given Confirmed three times within the academic year Multiple students claiming CCG for same children – currently under review GFD Products – CCG • • • Maximum award is 85% of costs e.g. £100 costs would give £85 childcare grant Cannot confirm costs without giving childcare provider Grant suspended if CCP’s registration can’t be confirmed England Full Time (2015/16) Wales (2015/16) Full Time 75%-99% 60%-74% 50%-59% Childcare provider not given £120.02 £115.00 £86.25 £69.00 £57.80 1 child in childcare £155.24 £161.50 £121.13 £96.90 £80.75 2+ children in childcare £266.15 £274.50 £205.91 £164.735 £137.28 (all costs given per week) Questions so far? How GFDs Are Calculated Calculate the maximum potential grants Calculate the household income Calculate how much of that income is disregarded Subtract the remaining (residual) income from the available grants How GFDs Are Calculated – Maximum Potential Grants Max Entitlement (England, 2015/16) ADG CCG 40 weeks £200 / week 85% = £170 / week PLA £2757 £6800 £1573 Sponsor Income Add all income Other Subtract relevant disregard Residual Income Disregarded Income Overall Household Income Unearned Income How GFDs Are Calculated – Household Income Standard Disregard – English Students • • Proportion of the income is not taken into account Additional commitments must be finalised annually Pre 1st August 2013 New Starters Student with no dependant children Couple with one child Couple with two or more children Post 1st August 2013 New Starters £1,159 + commitments £3,473 + commitments £4,627 + commitments Lone parent with one child £4,627 Lone parent with two or more children £5,792 Gained extra £5,000 disregard Lost ability to claim additional financial commitments for partner £6,159 £8,473 £9,627 £9,627 £10,792 Standard Disregard – Welsh Students • • • Proportion of the income is not taken into account Similar to pre-August 2013 English students Additional commitments must be finalised annually Welsh Students Additional Disregard Student with no dependant children £1,159 Couple with one child £3,473 Couple with two or more children £4,632 Lone parent with one child £4,632 - Lone parent with two or more children £5,797 - Ability to claim additional financial commitments for partner (if married or over 25) Disregarded Income Subtract relevant disregard In example on slide 7, £9,627 would be disregarded Residual Income Add all income Overall Household Income Sponsor Income Unearned Income Other How GFDs Are Calculated – Residual Income This Example England, 2015/16 Married, 2 Children Standard Disregard – £9,627 Maximum ADG – £2757 Maximum CCG – £6800 Maximum PLA – £1573 How GFDs Are Calculated – Deduct From Grants • Income is then deducted from grants, in a certain order. Household income £8,000 £8,000 ADG Full CCG - £6,800 CCG • Household income £20,000 £9,627 Full ADG - £2,757 Full PLA - £1,573 Household income £14,000 PLA £4,373 Partial CCG - £5,184 Full PLA - £1,573 £9,627 ADG ADG £10,373 CCG PLA Partial PLA - £757 Grants are always removed in a certain order – ADG first, followed by CCG, then lastly PLA CCG PLA InsertGFDs slide Are header How Calculated – Change of grants inside year • Change of financial situation • Current Year Income assessments • Change of disregard following finalisation • Change in childcare costs • Updated estimates from student • Confirmed costs different to estimates • Reduced estimates following CCG2 • Change of dependant status • Gain / loss of partner • Gain / loss of child • Can look at discretionary payments is student is in financial hardship Questions so far? Processing Challenges • All common challenges of a large financial organisation • Seasonal workflows (20 day SLA) • Forms can’t be open to interpretation • All common challenges of core processing • Verification of Household Income checks (VHI) • Separated / divorced sponsors • Split assessments • Compelling personal reasons • GFD-specific challenges • Annual income check • Valid evidence for all dependants • Change of number of dependants • Non-return of CCG2s Processing Challenges - PLA Must be in student’s name. Dual names are accepted Must be for valid year Must name all children Age checked Childcare Element checked for CCG eligibility Processing Challenges - PLA Must be in student’s name or a linked partner Most recent Child Benefit letter required Must name all children as dependent Age Checked Processing Challenges - ADG • • • Other ADG evidence requirements can be high • Dependence on student • Dependence on more than one person • Income (including non-taxable) • Country of residence Dealt with on an individual basis Under 25 and married – evidence required • UK issued marriage / civil partnership certificate • Non-UK marriage certificate – must be recognised • Original and translated version may be required Processing Challenges - CCG • Bulk estimates / costs given Processing Challenges - CCG • Unclear exception weeks Processing Challenges - CCG • Required details omitted Processing Challenges - CCG • Completed childcare costs unclear Processing Challenges - CCG • Costs appear to be overwritten Childcare Audit • • • • • • • Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) requirement 15% of SFE students in 2014/15 30% of SFE students in 2015/16 • 20% of Period 1 – Period 3 • 10% ad-hoc audit 10-15% of SFW students in 2015/16 Audit direct email - childcare_grant_audit_inbox@slc.co.uk Audit process: • Providers manually identified by random selection • Audit form sent directly to CCP with 4 week deadline • Reminders are issued with 2 week deadline • Non-response to all reminders – CCG can be removed Potentially passed for further investigation Childcare Audit Objectives - Summary • Department overview • Understand Grants for Dependants products • Understand how to calculate GFDs • Understand why grants may change through the academic year • • Key changes since last year • Product changes • Department changes Understand common questions, complaints and challenges when processing GFDs • Overview of other GFD activities Any Questions? Resources • SFE Practitioners Website http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/ • SFW Practitioners Website http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/practitioners.aspx • Childcare provider reports http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/ (90% 95% of all registered childcare providers) • General guidance on student finance https://www.gov.uk/student-finance • CCG forms and guidance https://www.gov.uk/childcaregrant/how-to-claim Daniel Swinburne Senior Assessor – Processing Services daniel_swinburne@slc.co.uk 01325 215604 www.slc.co.uk Jonathan Vinton Processing – Independent Team jonathon_vinton@slc.co.uk 01325 215139 www.gov.uk/studentfinance Ryan Swann Grants for Dependants - Team Manager ryan_swann@slc.co.uk 01325 215239 www.slc.co.uk