College Maintenance Allowance (CMA)
Who can apply for this support?
Anyone with a total household income below £23,000 per year (excluding students enrolled on an apprenticeship, a self-financing course, a higher education (HE) course or students enrolled on a course with another education provider where funding is being claimed). Please note you will need to provide specific evidence when you apply to support your application. More information can be found in the 'Evidence Guidance' document available in the 'downloads' section on this page.
How much will I get?
You can receive up to £20 per week. Payments will be attendance based as detailed in the payment schedule. The payment is a contribution towards the cost of travel on public transport, the cost of food at College and other course related costs.
How will I be paid?
The agreed amount will be paid onto your (the students) bank account. It is essential that you have a bank account in your own name. Please request a bank details form from the Student Finance Team if you do not receive one following the submission of your application. If you do not have your own bank account, the agreed amount will be paid onto your student ID card and no cash alternatives will be made. Payments will be made in accordance with the payment schedule.
What evidence will I need to provide?
You will be required to provide evidence of current household income upon application and we may request up to date evidence of your household income at any point during the academic year. For guidance about the evidence you need to provide, please see the Evidence Guidance document available in the ‘Downloads’ section on this page.
What other College related costs could I get help with?
If you are approved to receive CMA you could also receive help with additional College related costs, determined by the requirements of your course, such as:
Specialist equipment, specialist materials, essential uniform and compulsory trips. Please provide your proof of purchase at your earliest opportunity following enrolling on and starting your course.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the College Maintenance Allowance (CMA) using our new online application form below. You will need to submit supporting evidence at the time of application. Please be aware that there may be a delay in your application being processed if your form is incomplete, or evidence is missing.
Financial support payment start dates will be based on the date that the fully completed application form, with the correct supporting evidence, is received in Student Services and no backdated payments will be made. Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of approval and a payment schedule.
The online application for financial support is available in the ‘How to Apply’ section on this page. The accompanying guidance documents are available in the ‘Downloads’ section on this page. If you require the application form in a different format, or need assistance completing it, please contact the Student Finance Team.
Please read the Financial Support Guidance before completing the application for financial support.
Childcare Funding for students aged 16-19
Care to Learn is a Government scheme whereby if you are aged 19 or under on 31st August 2021, you may be eligible to receive help with the cost of childcare and transport (up to £160 per week) whilst you are learning. Your child must attend an Ofsted registered childcare provider.
For further information and details of how to apply please visit www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or telephone their Student Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989.
Vulnerable Student Bursary (for students aged 16-18 on 31st August 2021).
Who can apply?
You can apply for this bursary if one or more of the following applies to you:
- You are in local authority care or have recently left local authority care; or
- You are in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit because you financially support yourself (the evidence must confirm that you are allowed to participate in further education or training); or
- You are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in your own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in your own right.
How much will I get?
You can get up to £1,200 in total each academic year. You will receive most of your bursary through an allocation of up to £30 per week. Payments will be attendance based as detailed in the payment schedule. The remainder of your bursary will be allocated to meet your needs and the requirements of your course. This will be determined through one to one meetings with a Student Finance Advisor.
How will I be paid?
The money will be paid directly into your (the students) bank account. It is essential that you have a bank account in your own name. Please request a bank details form from the Student Finance Team if you do not receive one following the submission of your application. If you do not have your own bank account, the agreed amount will be paid onto your student ID card and no cash alternatives will be made. Payments will be made in accordance with the payment schedule.
When will I receive my first payment?
Once your application has been approved you will receive a schedule of payment dates.
What evidence will I need to provide?
You will be required to provide a local authority care status letter or current benefit evidence.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the Vulnerable Student Bursary (VSB) using our new online application form. You will need to submit supporting evidence at the time of application and please be aware that there may be a delay in your application being processed if your form is incomplete, or evidence is missing.
Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of approval and a payment schedule.
The online application for financial support is available in the ‘How to Apply’ section on this page. The accompanying guidance documents are available in the ‘Downloads’ section on this page. If you require the application form in a different format, or need assistance completing it, please contact the Student Finance Team.
Please read the Financial Support Guidance before completing the application for financial support.
How to Apply
To apply for Student Financial Support, please complete our online application form.
Please ensure that you read the Financial Support Guidance and Evidence Guidance documents available on this page before completing the application.
You will need to upload your supporting evidence within the application. Failure to do so will result in the application process being delayed. You will need to complete all compulsory fields in order for your application to submit successfully. Compulsory fields are marked with a red asterisk.
Contact Us
If you need any help or assistance in relation to any of the information on this page, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Finance Team. We are happy to give advice and guidance over the phone, or to arrange appointments on a one to one basis.
NEWCASTLE COLLEGE
Tel 01782 254188
Email studentfinanceteam@nscg.ac.uk
STAFFORD COLLEGE
Tel 01785 275494
Payment dates
Payment dates for CMA and VSB can be found here:
| CMA Payment Date (Monday) | Number of weeks paid | Attendance Weeks | Maximum Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 12 September 2022 | 4 | N/A | £80.00 |
| Monday 3 October 2022 | 3 | N/A | £60.00 |
| Monday 31 October 2022 | 4 | 19/09, 26/09, 03/10, 10/10 | £80.00 |
| Monday 28 November 2022 | 3 | 17/10, 31/10, 07/11 | £60.00 |
| Tuesday 3 January 2023 | 4 | N/A | £80.00 |
| Monday 30 January 2023 | 3 | 03/01, 09/01, 16/01 | £60.00 |
| Monday 27 February 2023 | 4 | 23/01, 30/01, 06/02, 13/02 | £80.00 |
| Monday 27 March 2023 | 1 | 27/02 | £20.00 |
| Monday 17 April 2023 | 4 | 06/03, 13/03, 20/03, 27/03 | £80.00 |
| Monday 15 May 2023 | 2 | 17/04, 24/04 | £40.00 |
| Monday 5 June 2023 | 2 | 08/05, 15/05 | £40.00 |
| VSB Payment Date (Monday) | Number of weeks paid | Attendance Weeks | Maximum Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 12 September 2022 | 4 | N/A | £120.00 |
| Monday 3 October 2022 | 3 | N/A | £90.00 |
| Monday 31 October 2022 | 4 | 19/09, 26/09, 03/10, 10/10 | £120.00 |
| Monday 28 November 2022 | 3 | 17/10, 31/10, 07/11 | £90.00 |
| Tuesday 3 January 2023 | 4 | N/A | £120.00 |
| Monday 30 January 2023 | 3 | 03/01, 09/01, 16/01 | £90.00 |
| Monday 27 February 2023 | 4 | 23/01, 30/01, 06/02, 13/02 | £120.00 |
| Monday 27 March 2023 | 1 | 27/02 | £30.00 |
| Monday 17 April 2023 | 4 | 06/03, 13/03, 20/03, 27/03 | £120.00 |
| Monday 15 May 2023 | 2 | 17/04, 24/04 | £60.00 |
| Monday 5 June 2023 | 2 | 08/05, 15/05 | £60.00 |
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