10/09/2014
DEL Student Hardship Funding Increases To £8m
Over the last five years the overall funding made available to students facing economic hardship has increased by £0.8m to £8m, according to the Department for Employment and learning.
The Department made the comments following a BBC revelation that about £1.3m is to be cut from the student hardship fund over five years.
The two main sources of support provided by the Department are Further Education (FE) Awards and college Hardship Funds, both of which are means tested and demand led.
In 2010/11, the FE Awards closing date changed from 30 June to 31 August for full-time courses and 30 September for part-time courses. DEL says this has encouraged more applications for FE Awards and reduced the number of students seeking assistance from the Hardship Funds.
Over the years 2009/10 to 2014/15, the money made available to the Hardship Funds has reduced by £1.3m, the Department said. During the same period, due to an increase in demand, the amount of money available, per annum, through the FE Awards has increased by £2.1m from £3.8m to £5.9m.
"No applications have been rejected due to lack of funds," a statement said. "The six regional colleges promote and will continue to proactively promote all sources of finance to students. Other sources of student support also available include the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and childcare support through Care to Learn. Child care support is also available through FE Awards and Hardship Funds."
(IT/MH)
The Department made the comments following a BBC revelation that about £1.3m is to be cut from the student hardship fund over five years.
The two main sources of support provided by the Department are Further Education (FE) Awards and college Hardship Funds, both of which are means tested and demand led.
In 2010/11, the FE Awards closing date changed from 30 June to 31 August for full-time courses and 30 September for part-time courses. DEL says this has encouraged more applications for FE Awards and reduced the number of students seeking assistance from the Hardship Funds.
Over the years 2009/10 to 2014/15, the money made available to the Hardship Funds has reduced by £1.3m, the Department said. During the same period, due to an increase in demand, the amount of money available, per annum, through the FE Awards has increased by £2.1m from £3.8m to £5.9m.
"No applications have been rejected due to lack of funds," a statement said. "The six regional colleges promote and will continue to proactively promote all sources of finance to students. Other sources of student support also available include the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and childcare support through Care to Learn. Child care support is also available through FE Awards and Hardship Funds."
(IT/MH)
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