Undergraduate funding 2011

Funding - an overview

The main government backed forms of funding listed below will probably be available to you if:

• You are a UK student
• You will be studying on a full-time course
• You do not already hold a HE qualification (i.e. another degree)

The main forms of funding

Figures quoted are for academic year 2011/12, and are for a single academic year. If your circumstances remain the same, you will be eligible for awards in each of your three years of study.

For further details on all bursaries, please see the 'University Bursaries' section below.

Budgeting

Unless you expect to receive additional money from your parent(s), or you have savings, then these forms of funding will need to last you through the academic year.

Tuition fee loan

This is paid straight to the University College and is used to cover your tuition fees. It can't be used for anything else.

Maintenance loan, maintenance grant and UCF Bursary

These awards are paid directly to you and it's with these (and any parental contributions) that you need to fund your time in Falmouth. These costs will include:

• Accommodation/rent
• Food
• Internet/phone/mobile
• Course trips and equipment
• Utility bills
• Materials
• Daily commuting costs
• Going out and entertainment
• Travel home at end of term
• Clothes and essentials

It's important to at least do a brief budget to ensure you have some idea of how much money you'll have for each term and each week. Remember; your loans are your loans (not mum or dad's) so spend them wisely!

FAQs

What's the difference between a loan, grant and a bursary?

Loans
You will be required to pay these back. The most common forms of loan are the Tuition Fee Loan and the Maintenance Loan, which are provided by the government, through Student Finance England. You'll be expected to start paying back your loans, little by little, once you're earning over £15,000pa.

Grants
You will not be required to pay these back. The most common form of grant is the Maintenance Grant, which is provided by the government, through Student Finance England. You'll only get a Maintenance Grant if your household income is under £50,000pa.

Bursaries
You will not be required to pay these back. The most common form of bursary is the UCF Bursary, which is provided by us as a result of your application to Student Finance England. You'll only get a UCF Bursary if your household income is under £40,000pa.

How do I apply for the statutory funding (grant/loan/bursary)?

All applications need to go to Student Finance England, and there are two ways you can do this:

• Visit www.direct.gov.uk and complete the online application for student finance
• You can also access this site via your UCAS application. This will automatically populate a lot of your student finance application

At this stage you'll only be asked to apply for your grant and loan(s). The UCF Bursary requires no application. You will be put forward for this automatically as a result of your application for the grant and loan.

Remember: if you think your household income is under £50,000pa, it's worth doing a means-tested assessment (because grants and bursaries are dependent upon the level of your household income).

What is means-testing?

A means-tested assessment means that Student Finance England will consider your household income when handling your application. You'll need to provide some evidence, and if they're happy that your household income is under £50,000pa then you may get a grant; if it's under £40,000pa, then you may also get a bursary.

When do I apply?

You should be able to apply through your UCAS application, from the November before you are due to start the course, and through www.direct.gov.uk around the same time. Try and get your application in before May/June - even if you're not sure which university/course you'll be attending.

What if my household income changes?

If your household income drops significantly (by more than 15%) then you can ask Student Finance to reassess you. Contact Student Finance England directly about this.

I already have degree, can I get financial support?

If you already hold a degree level qualification (ELQ) then you won't be eligible for means-tested financial
support, like the grant and loan(s); therefore you won't be eligible for a university bursary either.

I'm under 25, but I live independently from my parents.

If you already live independently from your parent(s) before coming to university, then you will be assessed on your own income (or the income of both you and your partner if you live together). To be classed as ‘independent' from your parents, you need to have been living away from them for at least 3 years. However you can be classed as ‘independent' earlier than that, if:

• You become a mother, and live away from your parents
• You get married, and live away from your parents
• You turn 25 years of age

As soon as any of these three events happen, you are classed as being independent.

If you have any queries regarding this matter, contact Student Finance England on: 0845 300 5090 

UCF bursaries

The means tested bursary

The main bursary for most students is the 'means-tested bursary', and how much you receive from UCF depends on your household income:

• Between £0 and £25,000 - you may receive a bursary of £850 per year
• Between £25,001 and £30,000 - you may receive a bursary of £500 per year
• Between £30,001 and £40,000 - you may receive a bursary of £325 per year

If your family income exceeds £40,000 then you won't be entitled to a bursary.

Additional bursaries

At UCF we offer a range of bursaries for students from specific backgrounds:

Means-Tested Award:  See above.

Cornwall Award:  For new students who are starting in 2011; with a household income of under £40,000pa and with a home address in Cornwall (ie, their address at the point of application).

Dependants Award:  For students who are in receipt of either Childcare Grant or Adult Dependant Grant.

Care-leavers Award:  For students who can demonstrate that they were a care-leaver at age 16.

Your bursary(s) will be paid in one installment directly into your bank account in February. Unless your financial circumstances change, you will receive the at least the same amount for each of the three years of your course. If you repeat a year, your eligibility might be affected in that year.

How to apply

To be considered for a bursary, you must have applied for means-tested financial support (maintenance loans and grants), and have an assessed household income of £40,000 per year or less (see FAQ section above).  It is also important to give consent to share information when making your finance application as this will allow us to award the correct level of bursary. There is no further application process for this bursary as the information will automatically filter through to us here at UCF.

To have the best chance of getting your funding in place for September 2011, you should be looking at making your application to Student Finance England by May/June 2011 - don't leave it until the last minute!

Awards, funds and competitions

Advice on applying for scholarships and bursaries

Alternative sources of funding include charities, foundations and trusts. There are numerous scholarships and bursaries on offer, typically worth up to £500. Using the resources listed at the end of this guide; investigate these sources of funding to see if any are appropriate to you. The following suggestions may help you succeed in securing financial help from a charity, foundation or trust:

• Check the criteria. Make sure you meet the criteria of the charitable trust or funding body to which you are applying. Most trusts have specific rules about what they will and won't fund and you need to be sure that you are eligible before spending time on an application. You will usually receive guidance notes with the application form.
• Check the format. Check that you are using the correct application format. Some trusts have a specific application form while some require a letter. Treat each application separately and make sure that you tailor your application each time; don't just use one statement to send to different sources of funding.
• Stand out. Make sure that you explain your particular circumstances, if you are likely to be competing with other students who are short of money. For example, you may have family responsibilities that make it harder to provide your own funding.
• Budget. If the application form asks you to provide a budget, eg for a study trip, include a comprehensive set of costs to show that you have properly considered and planned the proposed trip.
• Be realistic. Charitable trusts and funding bodies are likely to assist you with bursaries of hundreds, rather than thousands of pounds, so consider the amount you ask for.
• Be patient. Many charitable trusts only meet a few times a year, so plan to apply well before you need the money.
• Say thanks. If you do receive any funding, remember to write to say thanks, and give a brief record of how you spent the money and how it helped with your study. 

UCF Travel Bursary

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? UK students only. Trips within UK only

Purpose

This bursary can be used toward the cost of study trips within the UK. You can apply for funds to help cover costs of a University College-organised study trip*, or a trip that you plan to undertake individually, with the backing of a tutor or course leader, who is asked to provide a reference as part of your application. The study visit must have a clear purpose, related to your course or areas of private study.

*Please note: This fund is not designed to cover the costs incurred by course placements.

Eligibility

You may apply if you are a UK student (for fees purposes) and currently enrolled, full or part-time, on an undergraduate course at University College Falmouth.

Criteria

A wide range of factors will be taken into account in assessing your application. We will consider the support of your tutor in the reference provided; the description you provide of the proposed study trip and its intended outcomes; the impact upon your studies; the sum of money for which you have applied; and your personal and financial circumstances. We will attempt to target the funds at those students who are least likely to be able to cover the costs of the study trip without this type of assistance.

Awards

You are asked to outline the estimated costs of your study trip. Funds may be made available for travel costs, accommodation, entrance to exhibitions or galleries, and brochures or programmes associated with exhibitions. In addition, we may be able to consider assistance with costs associated with care for dependants in your absence. As funds are limited, the judging panel reserves the right not to grant the full amount requested in order to assist as many bursary applicants as possible.

Contact

Application packs are available from:

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus.
Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

Judging panel

The Bursary Adviser (or appointed representative) and the Widening Participation Officer or Analyst.

Closing date

There is no set closing date. The fund operates on an annual basis with a limited pot of money. Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis until the bursary fund is exhausted for that year. Therefore you are advised to apply as early as possible in the academic year.

Result date

You will usually know the outcome of your application within three weeks of submitting your application. 

UCF Cornwall Commuter Award

Courses Specific? No. All courses, all levels.

Other Criteria? For students commuting from outside the immediate Falmouth area, from elsewhere in Cornwall, using public transport.

Purpose

The purpose of the fund is to reward those students who choose to commute to university by public transport, from outside of the immediate Falmouth area, but from within Cornwall.

Eligibility

You may apply if you are commuting to either the Woodlane or Tremough Campuses by public transport, using either a termly or a 3-month pass. Students living in the immediate Falmouth area (Zone A) will not need to access the fund as the cheapest means of travel is the 60p student rate on the buses. However students living outside this area (Zones B and C) will be able to apply. The scheme is open to all students on all courses, who have a term-time address outside Zone A. Our Green Travel Guide includes full details on the travel zones.

Awards

Students will receive an award worth 15% of the cost of their travel pass, payable by cheque.

How to apply

Students need to see Will Wears, Bursary Adviser, presenting both their student ID card and their termly/3-month travel pass. Students will be able to make three claims per academic year.

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus

Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk
Intranet: intranet.falmouth.ac.uk (available from inside the UCF network)

Framework Knitters Bursaries & Awards

Courses Specific? Fashion/Performance Sportswear Design

Other Criteria? Students must be working in a field relevant to the knitting/knitwear industry. Only open to students entering their final year.

Purpose

In 1985 the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters initiated a Bursaries/Awards scheme to encourage students in further and higher education to take an interest in the knitting/knitwear industries. The scheme was funded by Liverymen and the associated knitting/knitwear industries.

In addition to its own Bursaries/Awards, the Company also administers those donated by others for similar purposes. These have included the International Wood Secretariat, Benson Turner Ltd, INSTEP, Willey & Pearson Ltd, Rouse Awards, the Howard Russell Ellis Award and the Matthew Simons Award.

Eligibility

Students who are about to enter their final year of study; post-graduate students; and those registered for a research degree. Students of Design, Management, Marketing, Science and Technology relevant to the knitting/knitwear industries are given equal consideration.

Already hold a degree level qualification (ELQ)? You will be able to apply for this bursary but it is very competitive, so you need to be prepared for the fact that you may not receive an award.

Awards

Either £2,000 or £750. In addition, effort is given to ensure that, wherever possible, each award winner is allocated a mentor who visits them during the period when the project/topic is being developed and offers advice, technical and commercial, and reports back to the Committee. After two or three years, winners are offered the Freedom of the Livery and in due course, where appropriate, are supported for the Freedom of the City of London and membership of the Livery.

How to apply

All final year BA(Hons) Fashion Design and Performance Sportswear Design students will be emailed with competition details over the summer. Other students who feel they might be eligible can obtain a copy of the competition details from the Bursary Adviser, at the address below.

Applicants will be asked to complete the application form (including a statement supporting your proposed project) and submit it with a copy of their CV. Applications will then be shortlisted before we submit a maximum of two candidates. The Frameworks Committee group will then consider applications from all institutions before inviting selected candidates to interview.

All application forms should be signed and returned to:

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus
University College Falmouth, Falmouth TR11 4RH

Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

When submitting your application, please ensure you have included all the requested information.

Closing date for applications: September each year

Ferdynand Zweig Memorial Scholarship

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? To be used to support travel/study abroad

Purpose

This scholarship enables current degree or postgraduate students to explore the past and current artistic/cultural achievements of other nations. The Scholarship can be used to support travel and/or study with a practical and/or theoretical purpose. Staff of University College Falmouth will occasionally be considered for an award, to pursue a research interest related to the purpose of the Zweig Scholarship.

Please note: these scholarships are not intended to fund a specific course requirement such as placements, study trips or a dissertation.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled students at University College Falmouth, for whom an award is made annually. Or staff of University College Falmouth, from whom applications will occasionally be accepted.

Already hold a degree level qualification (ELQ)? You will be able to apply for this scholarship but it is very competitive, so you need to be prepared for the fact that you may not receive an award.

Criteria

Submission of a detailed proposal outlining objectives, travelling itinerary, anticipated costs and predicted outcomes. (It is expected that the outcomes would be presented in a variety of written or visual forms). Student applications must be supported, and confirmed in writing, by their course leader. Staff applications must be supported, and confirmed in writing by their Director of Subject Area. It is a condition of the scholarship that successful candidates are required to donate some record or memento of their journey to the Zweig Archive in the University College Library.

Maximum award

The total amount for Student and Staff Scholarships combined will not normally exceed £5,000 in any one year. The maximum amount that will normally be awarded for the Staff Scholarship is £1,250.

Number of bursaries

One award of around £5,000, which the judging panel may decide to award wholly to one applicant, or split among several applicants.

Contact

Woodlane Campus

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus.
Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

Tremough Campus

Wendy Bowman, Deputy Rector's Office

Judging panel

A Zweig family representative, the Deputy Rector (or nominee) and the three Directors of School (or nominees).

Application dates

Application forms will be forwarded to all students & staff around February each year (using College email addresses). This competitin has now closed for 11/12

The winners will be notified in early April and formally announced at the Awards Ceremonies later in the year. 

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? Only open to direct relations of: commercial travellers, chemists or grocers

Purpose

The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust offers a limited number of bursaries to enable undergraduates to follow a full-time first degree course, in any subject, at a higher or further education institution in the UK. The conditions of eligibility are tightly restricted due to the Trust's origin, history and intentions.

Eligibility

Any full-time first degree course at a higher or further education institution in the UK, being either a body recognised by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for the award of a degree or a body providing courses in preparation for a degree to be granted by a recognised body.

Applicants should be normally resident in the United Kingdom and be the son or daughter, spouse, widow or widower of a commercial traveller, chemist, or grocer, according to the definition below. The parent/spouse should have been engaged in this occupation in the UK for at least five years in the recent past. A parent or spouse who is unemployed (or deceased) but who fell within one of these three categories when their employment ceased (or died) is also included. No bursaries will be awarded to individuals outside these three categories of parental employment.

Already hold a degree level qualification (ELQ)? You may be able to apply for this bursary but it is very competitive, so you need to be prepared for the fact that you may not receive an award.

Commercial travellers: The representative, agent or principal of any firm of manufacturers or other company or wholesale dealers selling to industry or commerce, but not direct to the public, who has travelled for five consecutive years for at least six months in each of those years, for the purpose of securing orders and/or promoting business.

Chemists: A member of the royal Pharmaceutical Society engaged in selling or dispensing medicines direct to the public.

Grocers: A person engaged or employed in the retail sale of groceries and related provisions (not considered the distinctive wares of some other class of tradesman), excluding persons owning or employed by a business having more than 50 employees.

Criteria

Funds are intended for those in financial hardship, e.g. required funds for maintenance, tuition and examination fees, travel costs, study materials, accommodation or childcare costs etc. Applicants must provide justification for these reasons for applying.

Maximum award

The maximum value of any bursary is £3000 per annum, but the sum awarded will be adjusted according to individual circumstances, need and the funds available. Bursaries will generally be awarded for the balance or whole duration of an undergraduate course, but not backdated prior to the granting of the award. The continuation of a bursary is dependent upon the student continuing his/her full-time registration, satisfactory academic performance, and there being no material change in the recipient's financial circumstances.

Number of bursaries

Determined by the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust.

Contact

Application forms can be downloaded from the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust:

Web: http://www.leverhulme-trade.org.uk/ug-forms.html
Tel: 0207 822 5227 (general enquiries)
Email: bthomas@leverhulme.ac.uk (Mrs Beryl Thomas)

Judging panel

Determined by the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust.

Closing date

Students must ensure they submit their applications to their institution in good time, as countersigned applications must reach the Trust by 1 October or 1 March each year.

Result date

Institutions will be notified of the result of applications after a decision is made. All bursary funds will be paid to the student's institution and not the bursary holder.

The John Brabourne Awards

Courses Specific? No, but applicants must be looking to pursue a career in Television or Film

Other Criteria? Will vary. See individual awards

Purpose

The John Brabourne Awards is a major new initiative of the UK film and television industry, created by the industry's own trade charity, the CTBF. This new scheme has been designed to help passionate students to gain access to their desired profession. John Brabourne was one of Britain's most prolific producers with an illustrious career spanning four decades and 27 films. He also produced many television greats and was Director for Thames Television for six years. Throughout his career John Brabourne consistently championed the need to support young people who want to enter into the film and television industry. The CTBF is proud to continue the charitable work of John Brabourne and help young talented students to open the door to a career in film and television. The John Brabourne Awards are a stepping stone for young people driven to further their experiences and careers in all aspects of film and television. In particular the awards seek to help those disadvantaged in some way, either through lack of funds or set-backs due to illness or accident.

Eligibility

The awards are open to anyone who is actively pursuing a career in the UK film and television industry. So if this is you, it is a scheme that looks to reward you as a young person who has demonstrated determination and motivation in targeting your chosen career. The scheme also looks to help those whose careers have suffered set-backs due to unforeseen circumstances.

Criteria

Applications will be judged on both need and merit and you will need to support this by two references from either educational or professional establishments. You must also give a clear plan for the use of the award, including examples of your work and explain how winning will help you to further your career.

Value of awards

Sponsored awards provided by renowned companies like Channel 4, Kodak, Endemol and ITV to name but a few, open the door for you through cash sums and/or training, work experience, equipment or materials of a value of £1,000 to £5,000, which can help launch your career. Cash sums also funded by the CTBF and can assist with travel, rent, bills or childcare if needed.

Contact

Visit: www.ctbf.co.uk/johnbrabourneawards to download the PDF application form.

Post your application to:

Eunice Bornasty, Head of Welfare and Secretary of the Brabourne Committee,
The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund,
22 Golden Square, London W1F 9AD
Tel: 0207 437 6567
Email: e.bornasty@ctbf.co.uk

Judging panel

You'll be judged by a committee of industry figures and business professionals, chaired by Lord Attenborough.

Closing date

Closing dates will vary, dependent upon award. Check the above website for specific details (many have a closing date of 31 July).

City of London Bursary Fund (Cornwall & Isles of Scilly)

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? Limited to residents of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, who are looking to begin a course and are under 25 years of age.

What is the City of London Bursary Fund?

The bursary fund aims to help young people (under 25 years of age) who have demonstrated the desire and capability to accomplish great things in Higher Education but who are in danger of being held back by personal or family hardship, or disability. The bursary this year is up to a maximum of £1,000 and the beneficiaries must be studying at a Cornish College/University and must be from Cornwall. This is a fund under the umbrella of The Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Youth administered by the Cornwall Community Foundation.

The Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) manages and distributes funding on behalf of individuals, companies, voluntary / self-help groups, charitable trusts and statutory agencies to meet needs in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Further details on the CCF can be found at: www.cornwallfoundation.com

Main criteria

• You must be from Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly
• You wish to study (or be currently studying) on a undergraduate degree in Cornwall at any of the following Colleges/Universities: Falmouth, Truro, Cornwall or Exeter at Tremough
• You are under 25 years of age
• You possess a particular talent or skill that you wish to study in Higher Education
• You are unable to achieve your aims or ambitions without help
• Your studies would bring benefit to your community and/or give you personal fulfilment
• You would act as a role model for young people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
• Applications must be for individuals
• You must have approached your College/University for a bursary and either have a shortfall or been rejected before applying to the City of London Bursary Fund

Completing the application form - a step-by-step guide

1. Your details: Please enter your full contact details.
2. Your circumstances: Please complete this section. To be eligible for a grant, you must fit the
above criteria
3. What do you want to do? Please describe your talent or skill, and what you need to do to
achieve your ambitions. How will your studies meet the criteria? When do you need the
money?
4. What is stopping you achieving your ambition? Please include anything about your home
circumstances or your finances. Are there any special circumstances or anything else you
would like us to take into account?
5. Why are you approaching the City of London Bursary Fund? How will money from the Bursary
Fund help you? Please tell us what other sources of funding you have explored - what was
the outcome?
6. How much money do you need? The maximum grant is £1,000. Please list the costs involved
in achieving your aims. Grants may be considered for higher education course fees and
related expenses such as books, travel and equipment.
7. What money have you already raised? Please give details of the income you already have
raised.
8. Referee details. Please give details of the person who is supporting your application. This
should be someone who knows you and what you are trying to achieve, such as a lecturer. 

The application process

To request an application form, please contact:

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus
University College Falmouth, Falmouth TR11 4RH

Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

When submitting your application, please ensure you have included all the requested information.

• Closing date for applications (all forms to go to UCF Bursary Adviser, at above address): 4.30pm, Friday 2 October. No extensions can be given beyond this date.
• Closing date for UCF to submit selected candidates to the CCF: 5pm, Friday 16 October
• CCF Judging Panel meet: Friday 30 October
• Winners announced: hopefully, by the end of November

What happens next?

Once we have received your application we will assess it, and may contact you for further information. We will then shortlist the strongest 2/3 applications before forwarding them to the CCF. Their Grants Panel will then meet in October, to make the final decision and you may be asked to attend an interview with the panel to discuss your application.

After this, you will receive the result of your application and, if successful, a letter enclosing an Agreement for signature and return.

The small print

• You must not disclose any confidential information relating to the City of London Bursary Fund except information that is already public, or information that cannot reasonably be considered to be confidential.
• The grant must be taken up within six months of being awarded.
• We ask you to complete an End of Grant Report (on a standard form which we will supply) within six weeks of your project or activity ending. 

The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham - Travel to Italy Award

Courses Specific? Fine Art

Other Criteria? Must be in final year of course, and can only be used to fund a trip to Italy

About Wilhelmina Barns-Graham

(Born: St. Andrews 1912 - Died: St Andrews 2004) After attending Edinburgh College of Art Wilhelmina Barns-Graham went to St. Ives in 1940, quickly becoming part of the group which included Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. She was a founder member of the Penwith Society. She travelled regularly in Europe over the next 20 years and with the exception of a short teaching term at Leeds School of Art and three years in London she divided her time between her home in St Ives and the house by St Andrews that she had inherited in 1960. In 1992, she received an Honorary Doctorate from the St Andrews University; she also received Honorary Doctorates from Plymouth (2000), Exeter (2001) and Heriot Watt (Edinburgh. 2003) universities. In 1999 she was elected an honorary member of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) and the Royal Scottish Watercolourists (RSW). She was awarded CBE in 2001, the same year that saw the publication of the first major monograph of her life and work ‘W.Barns-Graham: a studio life' (Lynne Green; Lund Humphries). As part of the St Ives Group she was in all the major survey exhibitions including the significant 1985 St Ives 1939 - 64, at the Tate Gallery, Millbank, London. Her paintings are in public collections throughout the UK including Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Arts Council of Great Britain, British Museum, the Tate Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Leeds and Manchester City Art Galleries. (Copy from Art First)

The Scholarship

The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Charitable Trust has granted University College Falmouth a ‘Travel to Italy Award' of £1,500 for Fine Art students who are in the final year of their course. The key criteria for the award are:

• You must be a Fine Art student, in your final year of study at University College Falmouth.
• The competition is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, on either the full-time or part-time routes.
• The award can only be used to fund an extra curricular, but subject-related trip to Italy, to be taken within 6 months of the award being made.
• The successful candidate will be required to provide a statement, of up to two sheets of A4, reviewing the trip and its outcomes, and explaining how the money was spent.

How to apply

All eligible students will be emailed directly in April/May when the competition opens. If you need a paper copy of the application form, please contact:

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus
University College Falmouth, Falmouth TR11 4RH

Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

The completed application form (including a personal statement detailing the plans for your trip, what it will involve and how it will benefit your development as an artist) needs to be returned to the above address. Deadline to be confirmed.

International Travel - Design for Sport Award

Courses Specific? BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design, BA(Hons) Fashion Design

Other Criteria? Level 2 students only. Special consideration will be given to those students from low income families and/or from Cornwall.

Purpose

The Design for Sport Award is designed to help 2nd year students on the above courses, fund a trip to specified events in either New York or Munich.

Eligibility

You must be in your 2nd year of either BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design or BA(Hons) Fashion Design and be available to attend one of the above two events.

Award

One award of £500, to be used to contribute towards the cost of attending one of the above two events.

How will the competition be judged?

The judging panel will consider a number of elements when selecting a winner. Primarily, the decision will be based upon your personal statement, but at the request of the sponsor, special consideration will be given to those from low income families and/or those with a Cornish home address.

How to apply

Students will be sent a copy of the application form in advance of the competition opening. Please return a signed copy of this, by the date shown, to the address below:

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus
University College Falmouth, Falmouth TR11 4RH

Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

Judging panel

Course leaders

Closing date TBC 

Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Services (ELCAS)

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? For former members of HM Armed Forces who are registered with the ELCAS scheme. University College Falmouth is a registered HEI with ELCAS.

Purpose

The MoD's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC) is an initiative to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. The ELC scheme provides financial support in the form of a single up-front payment in each of a maximum of three separate financial years. You are reminded that ELC funding is only available for pursuit of higher level learning i.e. for courses that result in a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) or, if pursued overseas, an approved international equivalent qualification.

As such you must ensure that you are able to demonstrate the level of the course to your Education Staff when asking them to authorise your claim

How to apply

There are several stages to the ELC process. Full information is set out in full on the ELCAS website: www.enhancedlearningcredits.com

Essentially:

• First you must register to become a Scheme Member and accrue a sufficient amount of service before you can submit a claim
• Then you must select a relevant course ensuring that it meets the higher level learning criteria (level 3 or above) and an Approved ELC Provider
• Thirdly, you must complete and submit an ELC claim, approved by an authorised Education Staff
• Finally you must send your completed Course Evaluation Form to ELCAS. Please note that further claims cannot be processed until evaluation forms are received for all previous courses (even those still underway)

The Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) provide the administrative support for the ELC Scheme. Education Staff are responsible for approval of both ELC Application and Claims. All completed forms should therefore be submitted to Education Staff who will send the forms to:

ELCAS
Security House
Alexandra Way
Ashchurch
Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire
GL20 8NB

It's also worth checking the Current Issues page on the ELCAS website, as it's updated regularly and contains information on claiming for higher level funding. 

Other sources of funding

UCF Placements Award

Courses Specific? Only those with an ‘embedded' placement as part of their course

Other Criteria? International and EU students only

There are a number of awards available to each academic school, each worth £400-£600. Winners will be nominated by senior academics within schools. No application process is required.

Support Worker Travel Fund

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? UK students only, who require a support worker to attend on a course trip or placement.

This fund is designed to help those students who require a support worker to attend a course trip or placement. There is no application process, but if you feel you are eligible then you should talk to Gaynor Astbury in Accommodation & Welfare in the first instance.

George Viner Memorial Fund

• Who for: Black and Asian, UK students
• Subject area: Some areas of Media
• When to apply: Once you have a place confirmed, but before you commence your course
• More Info: www.georgeviner.org.uk

Fulbright

• Who for: Students from the USA
• Subject area: Television Production, Multimedia Broadcast Journalism, International Journalism, Creative Advertising, Professional Writing, or Professional Photography
• When to apply: Between May-Oct, once you have a place confirmed on your course
• More Info: www.fulbright.co.uk

Equity Student Bursary

• Who for: Final year students who are members of Equity
• Subject area: Dance, drama, stage management, stage design or another performance related course
• When to apply: At the end of your final year. Closing date is usually early October each year
• More Info: www.equity.org.uk

Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST)

• Who for: Students of a ‘craft' who already have related experience
• Subject area: Traditional and non-traditional crafts
• When to apply: Closing date is mid-May each year
• More Info: http://qest.org.uk/

Funding for students with dependents or disabilities

If you are a UK student, who hasn't been to university before, you might be able to get some extra support if you have either a disability or a dependent child or adult (in addition to your loans and the university bursaries).

Students with certain disabilities and/or dependents

On top of the above awards you may also be eligible for further support, dependent upon your
personal circumstances.

Students with dependants

Students with a disability (including Dyslexia)

Further information & guidance

Further details are available in the government publication: 'Childcare Grant and other support for full-time student parents in Higher Education'. This can be downloaded from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Extrahelp/DG_171503.

Alternatively you can always contact our support teams at UCF:

Accommodation & Welfare
Kathmor, Woodlane Campus
Tel: 01326 213735

Accommodation & Welfare
1st Floor, The Annex, Tremough Campus
Tel: 01326 370460

FXU (Students Union)
Learning Resource Centre, Woodlane Campus
Tel: 01326 213742
Email: advice@fxu.org.uk

FXU (Students Union)
The Annex, Tremough Campus
Tel: 01326 370447
Email: advice@fxu.org.uk  

Searching for other funding

Websites

• Student Money: funding search tool and budget planner www.studentmoney.org
• Student CP: a new site, with a funding search tool www.studentcashpoint.co.uk
• FunderFinder: FunderFinder is a database application which is available in most college/university careers centres, Connexions centres (for under 25s only) and at University College Falmouth. Unfortunately, this database isn't available online. Enquirers are asked a variety of questions relating to their course, personal and financial circumstances and family history. The database then searches for likely sources of funding, given the enquirers circumstances.

International students

• British Council's education website: www.educationuk.org
• UKCISA: The UK Council for International Student Affairs www.ukcisa.org.uk

Students with a disability

• SKILL: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
  Web: www.skill.org.uk
  Info service: 0207 450 0620
  Voice: 0800 328 5050 (freephone)
  Text: 0800 068 2422 (freetext)
  Email: info@skill.org.uk

Educational Grants Advisory Services (EGAS)

EGAS is primarily concerned with helping those students who are ineligible for statutory funding. They hold a database containing details of funds available from various Charities, Trust and Bursary Schemes. Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate students can use the service they provide.

Applicants must send a letter requesting a free funding search application form and include an SAE. When EGAS receive the completed application form and SAE, they will search the database for details of any funding the applicant may be eligible to receive. The results will be forwarded to the applicant. An application form for this free search can be obtained from the EGAS website: http://www.family-action.org.uk/section.aspx?id=7514

Financial Support for Higher Education Students

This booklet can be obtained from University College Falmouth Student Services, or visit: www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport

Local Education Authorities

It is always a good idea to contact your LEA to determine exactly what you are eligible for. Undergraduates will be means tested in order to determine whether they are eligible for any or all of their Tuition Fees. It is worth contacting them, also, to see if any other funding is available to you, particularly if you have dependants or a disability.

The UK's Offshore Islands are a separate entity and have the flexibility to arrange their funding outside of the UK rules. All students are advised to contact their island's LEA for details. In most cases, students are successful in securing fees and sometimes a grant. 

Literature

• The Directory of Grant Making Trusts. Published by the Charities Aid Foundation, this directory enables grant seekers to search for trusts that might aid them in funding study.
• The Education Grants Directory. This title provides information on almost 1,400 sources of financial help for students in need. Its listing section includes national and general sources of funds, local sources, statutory funds and student grants, company sponsorship, career development loans and LEA funding. There is also guidance on selecting the right source of funds for your needs, and advice on how to make an application.
• Charities Digest (Waterlow Information Services).

Access to Learning Fund

Once you have enrolled, if you find yourself in financial difficulty you may be able to get assistance from our Access to Learning Fund. Contact the FXU (Student Union) or Accommodation & Welfare, on either campus, in the first instance.

The Government gives the University College money each year to help students who face financial problems, or higher costs than they expected, during their course. The Access to Learning Fund is designed to help meet any unforeseen expenses, by helping meet course-related costs such as books/equipment, travel or general living costs such as rent. If you qualify for a payment from the Fund, it will not usually have to be repaid.

If you think that you might need help from the Fund, don't wait until you have run out of money.

Contact

Woodlane Campus

Accommodation & Welfare
Kathmor, Woodlane
Tel: 01326 213735

FXU (Students Union)
Learning Resource Centre, Woodlane
Tel: 01326 213742
Email: advice@fxu.org.uk

Tremough Campus

Accommodation & Welfare
1st Floor, The Annex, Tremough
Tel: 01326 370460

FXU (Students Union)
Ground Floor, The Annex, Tremough
Tel: 01326 370447
Email: advice@fxu.org.uk

The application forms and guide can be downloaded from the Student Services intranet page (available from inside the UCF network): intranet.falmouth.ac.uk