Student Financial Support Fund

Financial Support application packs for starting in September are sent to students in May.

An application pack contains all the relevant information, including types of financial support available. You can only apply for support from one category.

Complete the application form as soon as possible and send it back to Franklin to ensure that the correct financial support is in place for the start of term in September. Your pack will contain a pre-paid envelope to make the return process as easy as possible.

Need help completing it? Go to the links in the section 'Supporting evidence for your application' for examples of evidence needed to support applications.

Photocopies of supporting evidence can be returned with the completed application form or provided via email to student.finance@franklin.ac.uk, quoting your name in the subject line. 

If you haven’t received an application by the end of May and you wish to apply for financial support please contact the finance team on 01472 875000 or via email at student.finance@franklin.ac.uk.

Please contact the college’s dedicated Financial Support Team via email: student.finance@franklin.ac.uk or by calling: 01472 875000 to request an application form, alternatively you can collect one from the Finance Office (room E3).

The team are available to help with any queries you may have.

You can also find our latest version of our Financial Support Fund Policy

If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible to receive support from the Financial Support Fund for Priority Groups:

• Your are living in care
• You are a care leaver
• You are living financially independently
• You receive Universal Credit and have Personal Independence Payments or Disability Living Allowance all in your own name

Students in priority groups can receive a bursary of up to £1,200 per year. Once your application has been approved we will contact you to discuss how to best utilise your priority support for your educational needs.

You can find examples of evidence needed to support your application here.

Daily meal allowances are designed to support students. For example, if you have a household income which fits the threshold or received free school meals in secondary school, this may apply to you.

On receiving this award, you’ll be provided with a daily meal allowance assigned to your student card. If you’re attending an external placement or studying offsite and it is not feasible for you to access a meal onsite, alternative arrangements will be made. This award also includes our discretionary financial support and travel pass. The travel pass for use on Franklin buses will only be awarded for students living more than one mile away from campus.

To qualify for this award, you, or your parents/carers must be in receipt of one or more benefits including:

• Students who received Free School Meals in Year 11

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit run-on-paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

• Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

You can find examples of evidence needed to support your application here.

Students who live in a household with an income below £36,000, including most benefits, will be eligible for a discretionary financial support award.  This award supports the cost of trips, and necessary resources whilst studying at Franklin Sixth Form College. If you’re eligible, you can also choose between a travel pass for use on Franklin buses (if you live more than 1 mile from College), or a Daily Meal Allowance.

Please complete your application and provide supporting evidence as soon as possible to secure your funding, it is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can find examples of evidence needed to support your application here.

24+ Advanced Learning Loans are similar to higher education loans, but for the further education sector.

Loans are available for learners aged 24 and over, studying at Level 3 or Level 4 (including QCF Certificates and Diplomas, Access to Higher Education, A-Levels and Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships).

You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of the tuition fees for your qualification, which will be paid directly to the college on your behalf. If you go on to study at a higher level you can get another loan. You can have a maximum of four loans.

How do I apply for my loan?

• Apply to the college as normal – this is because you will need things, such as your course codes, to apply for your learning loan. If you need advice on the courses you are thinking of choosing, give us a call on 01472 875000 and we’ll help you through the application process.
• Apply for your loan – Once you’ve received your offer of a place at Franklin you should then apply for your loan here. Online applications take around 5 days to process and you’lll need proof of identity such as a passport or driving license.
• Enrol at Franklin – Once your loan is approved, and you have been given a date to enrol by the college, bring in your loan confirmation letter, proof of your identity, evidence of your previous qualifications (where appropriate) and a method of payment for any costs not covered by your loan. If a course lasts for more than one year, you will only need to take out one loan.
• Start your course – There’s nothing left for you to do at this stage, just come to Franklin and work hard! The loan will be paid directly to the college.

Repayment of the loan

You pay back your loan (plus interest) when you’ve finished your course and start earning more than £21,000 a year. Each month, you pay back 9% of any income over £21,000. For example, if you earn £25,000 a year, your monthly repayments would be £30. You can pay a portion of or your entire loan at any time without an extra charge. The interest rate will be the rate of inflation plus up to 3% (depending on your earnings after you complete your course).

There is a support scheme in place for students with children.

Care to Learn helps to pay for childcare and travel costs while you’re studying.

Telephone: 0845 600 2809 or visit the website.

Any student who is pregnant or who has a child should register our College Wellbeing Team as soon as possible.

Franklin has a supportive network available to give extra support when needed.

For more information on any of the above financial support please contact us and a member of the team will be more than happy to advise you.

16-19 Students:

Email: Student.finance@franklin.ac.uk

Call: 01472 875000

19+ Students

Email: Adult.learning@franklin.ac.uk

Call: 01472 875000

Students who are aged 19 or over when they enrol in September, may be eligible to receive funding towards college costs.

We provide all this information at the time of making an application.

You can request a funding form from the Adult Learning Team by emailing: adult.learning@franklin.ac.uk or, giving the team of call: 01472 875000 for further information.

For 2023 /2024:

• Distance Learning Courses will be free for everyone
• English and Maths are free to anyone that does not already hold a grade C /4 in this subject
• ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) is available for free

All other courses are free if:

• Are in receipt of certain benefits such as Universal Credit
• Your income is less than £20,319 per year
• Other discretionary funding may be available in exceptional circumstances

You may also be eligible to apply for support with:

• Childcare costs whilst you study
• Travel to and from class
• Any books or resources you may need for your course

Funding options are available for level 3 courses if you are self-funding:

• If you are 19-23 you will be eligible for the course free if it is your first full level 3 course (we can help you check this if you are not sure)
• If you are 24+ you can apply for an advanced learner loan to cover the fees. You can find out more details here.
• If the course is part of the NSF Courses for Jobs offer - with additional eligibility criteria.