1. Learning Support Fund (LSF)
Student Services
Learning Support Fund (LSF)
Exceptional Support Fund Workshop
30/31 January 2017
NCVO, King’s Cross, London
Darren Hanson and James Davenport
Please note that we are currently in the process of finalising the policies and procedures regarding the new funding arrangements, therefore please be aware that some areas may be subject to change pending final approval

2. Introduction
The Government’s Response to the consultation “Reforming healthcare education funding creating a sustainable workforce” stated the following:
“Through the consultation process, the Department has received evidence of the need for supplementary funding to the higher education student loans system in the case of healthcare students. The Department considers that this funding is needed, given the unique case of healthcare students, to prevent a fall in both the number and diversity of these students, and otherwise to ensure there is a continued workforce supply of healthcare workers.”

3. Exceptional Support Fund - Overview
Eligible students facing severe financial hardship, having exhausted all other available sources of funding, will be able to apply for additional funding. This will be an income assessed non-repayable grant(s) of up to £3,000 per eligible student per year
The full detail of the framework is currently being developed and the NHSBSA is engaging with external colleagues such as NASMA (National Association of Student Money Advisers), union organisations and charitable groups
The NHSBSA will be responsible for administering the Exceptional Support Fund
The NHSBSA will produce full detailed guidance on the rules and process for the Exceptional Support Fund which falls under the Learning Support Fund

4. Eligibility Criteria
In order to qualify for the Exceptional Support Fund, students must meet the following criteria:
be studying on an eligible programme leading to a professional registration:
Nursing
Midwifery
Allied Health Professional (the groups included in the reforms)
be eligible for, and in receipt of, tuition fees and a maintenance loan from the Student Loans Company (SLC), Student Finance England provisions (SFE)
be actively in training, whether academic or practice learning
be ordinarily resident in England

5. Exceptional Support Fund Provisions
Non-repayable grant of up to £3,000 per year
Eligible applicants must be in genuine hardship where they can demonstrate a clear shortfall between income and expenditure
All available avenues of support must have been exhausted
Evidence based framework
Letter of support from HEI/student money advisors/student welfare officers
Composite living costs will be used in the assessment process

6. What ESF doesn’t cover
The Exceptional Support Fund is not for the purpose of:
an emergency payment fund
helping meet the costs of tuition fees where the student has not taken out a tuition fee loan
subsidising mismanagement of individual finances
funding non essential lifestyle expenditure

7. Examples of composite living costs
Food
Utilities
TV licence
Clothes
Home contents insurance
Entertainment
Clubs and societies
Mobile phone

8. Examples of variable expenditure
Rent/mortgage
Childcare
Travel
Buildings Insurance
Medication

9. Current Considerations
We are currently looking at how we can be notified of:
The attendance of eligible students (considering the secondary relationship we are moving to)
When a student withdraws from training, whether permanent or temporarily
When a student transfers to a programme that is not eligible for the elements of the Learning Support Fund

10. Discussion point
Examples of current frameworks – what works well and what doesn’t work so well
Ideas for the NHSBSA to consider in the development of the detailed framework
How HEIs can support the process

11. Any questions?