<<pt99_1.doc>>  <<pt99_1.txt>> 
This attachment might help regarding fee remissions a for PT students. 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Shelley Doughty, UCAS Admissions Officer, Newcastle College
> [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:	10 June 1999 6:17 PM
> To:	[log in to unmask]
> Subject:	PT HE Student Support
> 
> Dear all
> 
> I am currently trying to find out any information regarding the
> changes to
> PT HE funding.
> 
> I am aware that in the future, PT HE students will be able to apply
> for a
> student loan. However, with PT HE courses now being funded by HEFCE
> rather
> than FEFC, I am concerned about the issue of fee remission, especially
> with
> those students who are on low incomes / benefits.
> 
> Can any one give me ideas on what is happening in their institution?
> 
> Shelley Doughty
> 
> 
> Shelley Doughty, UCAS Admissions Officer
> Newcastle College, Rye Hill Campus, Scotswood Road
> Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7SA, ENGLAND
> Tel	(0191) 200 4110			Fax	(0191) 272 4297
> Email	[log in to unmask]		WWW	ncl-coll.ac.uk		



FEE-WAIVERS FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS

1	Q     How will HEIs be reimbursed for waiving the fees of part-time students at their Institution?
A     HEFCE will allocate a block of money which reflects the number of part-time students on benefits or income below the threshold for receiving Income Support. 

2  	Q     How much will HEIs get per student?
A     HEFCE will base their calculations on the HESES survey collected during the first term of the 1999/2000 academic year and indications about disadvantage derived from the post-code analysis used for the 5% premium funding allocations. HEFCE aim to provide £750 per Full-Time-Equivalent but that amount will depend on the number of claims made. The DfEE has allocated £12m for fee waiving in 1999/2000.

3	Q      When will HEIs know how much they are likely to get?
	A      Historical data showing the number of part-time students will be used by the HEFCE to give HEIs some idea of the amount they will get in summer 1999.

4	Q      Is the money for fee-waivers coming out of Access Funds?
A     Yes.

5	Q      Will it be ring-fenced within the Access Funds?
A       No.  The money will be put into the Access Funds to meet the usual needs, and there will be extra for part-time students who lose their job in the course of their studies, and those who are following part-time studies who are on benefits or low income. But there will be no ear-marking of funds as far as the Institution is concerned when they spend the money. HEIs will still have discretion over the rest of the  fund, in accordance with the Access Funds guidance.

6  	Q       When will HEIs get the money?
A       Probably February 2000.

7  	Q       Will the HEI have any discretion about whether a fee-waiver can be given?
A        HEIs will have some discretion about the best way of ensuring that the criteria are met. There are funds provided in Access Funds to allow HEIs to use their considerable discretion about who should benefit.
If an institution decides to extend the scheme to other groups not specified by the DfEE or HEFCE they will have to find the extra funding from the Access Funds or from their own resources.  

8  	Q       Will there be a different code to complete on HEFCE forms, in respect of part-time students and if so what will that be?
A       HEIs will need to record the use of Access Funds and the HEFCE is currently considering what information will be required.  When HEFCE makes the funding allocations in June 1999 they will explain what will be required.
 
9  	Q   Will the arrangements for FE colleges be the same as HE colleges?
A   FE colleges will be paid via the FEFCE. A block allocation has already been given for next year.  HEFCE has already allocated money based on the no. of part-time students from historical HESA records projected to next year.  But FE colleges will go through the same process as all other HEIs and be allocated money by the same formula.

10 	Q    Doesn't that mean FE colleges get funded twice?
A    In the transfer from FECFE to HEFCE it was agreed that FE colleges would be given extra funding.  This procedure allows that to happen quicker than would otherwise have been the case.

11 	Q    When will full details become public and in what form?
A    HEFCE will issue a circular before the autumn term.  Check the HEFCE website for more from July onwards.

12 	Q    Will fee-waivers apply to post-graduate students?
A    No, just degree and sub-degree level studies.

13 	Q    How about a second degree.
A    No, only for a first degree.

14	Q    Will arrangements be the same in Scotland and Wales?
A    The Scottish and Welsh funding Councils have been kept informed of these developments but any questions about the impact in these countries should be directed to them at:

Scotland	[log in to unmask]		telephone	0131 313 6500
for Wales	[log in to unmask]		telephone	01222 761861

further enquiries about England can be directed to
	[log in to unmask]		telephone	0117 931 7317.

15 	Q    Which benefits give eligibility to fee-waivers?  Why is Family Credit not included in the list?
A     Income Support,  Income related JSA, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, or the sole income of their family is DSS benefits; or the income of their family is below the threshold for receiving Income Support.
>From this autumn Family Tax Credit will replace Family Credit, and people on much higher incomes will be entitled to it.  So that cannot be used as an indicator of low income on its own.

Clare Allison
Direct Line 0171 925 6812
Local Fax 0171 925 6664
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]




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