Financial Support

Learner Support Fund (LSF) – Finance to Flourish

Applying for LSF

To apply for the Learner Support Fund, visit the PayMyStudent portal: 

https://halesowen.paymystudent.com/portal/

1. Register using your Student ID number. If you are unsure of what this is, please contact us using the details on the back of this leaflet.
2. Confirm your account by clicking the activation link sent to your email.
3. Login using the details you registered with.
4. Complete the application form including uploading evidence of your household income. Please note, if we do not see the correct evidence, your application will be returned, and we will email explaining what we need to see. We will not assess your application until we have the correct evidence.
5. Agree to the terms and conditions and submit your application. You will receive an email to confirm we have received it.

Types of Support

• 16-19 Discretionary Bursary
• 16-19 Vulnerable Bursary
• Further Education Free Meals
• 19+ Discretionary Learner Support
• 19+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Fund

Learner Support Fund (LSF)

If you have a household income of £37,398 or below or someone in the household is in receipt of certain benefits, you could receive financial help to support you with college costs such as meals, uniform, equipment and childcare. We will need to see evidence of the household income you receive. 

All funds are distributed on a needs basis and are subject to affordability. Funds are finite and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Funding is available to students studying a course which is funded by the ESFA. You cannot receive this support if you are aged under 16, studying a HE course, Apprenticeship or any other course not funded by the ESFA.

The amount of funding available to you is dependent on your total household income; the thresholds for support are as follows:

Band 1 – Up to £25,245.99

Band 2 – £25,246 – £30,852.99

Band 3 – £30,853 – £37,398

Students in Band 1 may get up to 100% of any approved award; Band 2 – 60% and Band 3 – 30%.

The benefits you receive and the number of dependants in the household may also be taken into account when your application is assessed.

What Can I Claim Support For?

• Meals – Your college card can be activated with meal credits to spend in Elliott’s, Starbucks and Bistro@B63.
• Equipment and Uniform – Essential equipment and uniform can be funded if it is a requirement for the course.
• Work Placement – Travel to work placement can be funded if required.
• Travel – In extenuating circumstances, transport costs can be funded. This is only available to you if you are not able to catch a college coach. Travel applications are decided on an individual basis.
• Childcare – If you are aged 20 and over, you can apply for support towards Childcare whilst you are attending college. To check for availability at Nursery@B63, please contact 0121 602 7677 or email nursery@halesowen.ac.uk. For students under 20 years of age in need of support towards Childcare, Care to Learn can help in need of Childcare support. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/care-to-learn.

Vulnerable Bursary

If you are 16-18 years old on 31/08/2021 and one of the following applies to you, you may be able to access a bursary paid weekly, of up to £1,200 per year. 

• In Care
• Care Leaver
• Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit as the student is living independently or supporting a dependant.
• Receiving both PIP/DLA and ESA/UC in the student’s own right

Please note, this funding is not guaranteed and is based on financial need.

Payments

Direct payments are only made when a student meets certain eligibility criteria. Any payments made to you will be paid by BACS. Bank details must be in the student’s name.

We can also make payment in kind. Part time students will be funded on a pro rata basis.

ALL AWARDS MADE ARE SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOUR.

Contact Us

Please contact us if you have any queries regarding LSF using the following details:

Student Hub, Whittingham Road

Student Hub, Shenstone House

Live Chat – www.halesowen.ac.uk

Phone – 0121 602 7888

Email – studentservices@halesowen.ac.uk