Student Support - Finance
Topic outline
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Here you will find information and resources to help answer your finance related questions.
If you require any further assistance, please contact Adam Croucher, Deputy Academic Registrar & Head of Student Services.
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The Board of Governors have approved the following tuition fees for the 2024/25 Academic Year:
https://www.rncm.ac.uk/study-here/make-an-application/fees/tuition-fees/
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Tuition fees are payable prior to registration at the start of the academic year. For UK and EU students the fee will normally be paid directly through the Student Loans Company/SAAS. You will need to provide proof of this during enrolment. For students paying fees themselves, it may be possible to pay by instalments. Tuition fee agreements must be set up prior to registration, and the 1st instalment must be paid before a student can enrol.
Tuition fee payments may be made using debit / credit card or bank transfer. For further information please contact Daniel Bennett, Student Finance Coordinator or Kerry Fairclough, Student Finance & Records Administrator.
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Information taken from Student Finance England
The quickest way to apply is online at www.gov.uk/studentfinance The student doesn’t need to have a confirmed place at university to apply. They should simply apply using their preferred choice of course and can always update this later if they need to. Students should apply now to make sure their student finance is in place at the start of their course. It takes at least six weeks to process applications so it’s important they apply as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is:
20th May 2024 for new full-time students
24th June 2024 for continuing full-time students
If you apply after this, you might not get all their money on time, but we’ll try to make an initial assessment so they have some money as close to the start of their course as possible.
The online application is designed to make sure students only see the sections they need to fill in. They can also save the application at any time and complete it later. If students are applying for finance that depends on their household income, we’ll ask their parents or partner to give us information about their household income and their National Insurance number. Before students start their online application, they should have the following to hand:
• valid UK passport (if they have one)
• university and course details
• bank account details, and
• National Insurance number
Evidence
We can’t process the student’s application until we have all the evidence we’ve asked for. In most cases, it’s easy to provide the evidence we need by simply filling in all the details on their application. For example, the student’s valid UK passport details gives us the identity evidence we need and their parents’ National Insurance numbers allow us to check their household income.
However, in certain situations the student or their parents may have to send us evidence. If they do, we’ll let them know what evidence they need to send. For more information download the ‘Student finance evidence’ factsheet from the resources section of the practitioner website. Once we’ve assessed the student’s application, we’ll send them a Student Finance Entitlement letter showing what student finance they’ll get. Students should keep this letter as they might have to show it to their university or college when they register. If the student applied online, they should also print the declaration form which they must sign and return to us
Interrupting or withdrawing from your course
Guidance from Student Finance England about your student finance if you suspend or leave your course.
Guidance from Student Finance Wales about your student finance if you suspend or leave your course.
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The Government will provide a loan of up to £12,167 per student for postgraduate Master’s study who are ordinary residents of England. Students from Wales are eligible for a loan of up to £18,770. Students from Northern Ireland are eligible for a loan of up to £6,500. Students from Scotland are eligible for a loan of up to £7,000.
Postgraduate Loan (PGL) for Master’s study will be: • a contribution towards the costs of study, i.e. it will be at the student’s discretion to use the loan towards fees, maintenance costs or other costs; • non-means tested; • paid directly to the student into a UK bank account.
For up-to-date information and further guidance see https://www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study
Please be aware that Postgraduate Loans are available per course, and not per year and students should therefore budget accordingly.
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Please see the attached PDF, which has information on the application process for an interest free loan for instrument purchase.
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Lucy Hale Award 2024 – Recipient announced
As part of RNCM Disability Awareness Week (29 Jan – 2 Feb) we are pleased to announce Gema Lu Cai as the first ever recipient of the Lucy Hale Award.
Thank you to all the students who took the time to submit applications for the Lucy Hale Award.
2024 marks the inaugural year of the Lucy Hale Award, set up in memory of RNCM composer Lucy Hale (1994-2021) by her family, to support disabled and neurodiverse students at the RNCM through an annual award, which will last in perpetuity.
The award exists to support RNCM students in their creative practice and has been won this year by Spanish pianist Gema Lu Cai. Gema is a fourth year student specialising in music education.
Gema was diagnosed with a learning difficulty and ADHD during her time at RNCM and will use the award to purchase her first own piano. Having a quality instrument at home (with silent mode, suitable for living in a flat) she will be able to offer piano lessons to her students at home, saving precious travel hours each week. This will fundamentally create more hours for her to practice and write academic essays - both of which, she currently struggles to do due to her disability meaning she needs extra time to absorb information and take breaks.
The quality of this piano will enable her also expand her music teaching capacity with an appropriate instrument, easing her ability to take on extra work. By additionally being able to also practice at home it will support her sensory issues and enhance her mental health. Gema is delighted to receive this award “This will change my life” she said.
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If you’re in financial hardship and need extra support, the College could help through our Access to Learning Fund. You can apply if you’re experiencing unexpected financial difficulty and support can take the form of budgetting advice, non-interest bearing loans or non-repayable grants. We strongly encourage any student who is struggling to contact us as soon as possible so all possible options can be considered.
Every year, the RNCM Development team launches a public appeal to highlight an area of need. This year, we are informing audience members and regular supporters about student financial need. Some FAQ's are available here and we are going to release the details of the new virtual food larder and opportunity fund as soon as we're able.
Support from the Access to Learning Fund is limited, and applications should be made to the Deputy Academic Registrar & Head of Student Services, Adam Croucher. Help completing the application form can be arranged via telephone, email and face to face appointments.
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UK and EU undergraduate students
The RNCM provide bursaries of up to £1,510 per year (based on 20/21 figures) depending on a students household income. A student with a household income of under £40,000 should be entitled to a bursary, and should contact Student Enquiries for further information.
International / Postgraduate students
International / PG applicants to the RNCM may apply for bursaries towards the cost of fees and maintenance. Demand is in excess of funds available, and therefore awards will be limited and will be based on need and merit.
The application form is attached and must be filled in and returned by April 5th 2024.
Please contact Daniel.bennett@rncm.ac.uk for further information.
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If you find yourself in financial difficulty (caused by a cash flow problem rather than a financial shortfall) the College may be able to assist with a sustentation loan (SUS Loan).
This short term loan does not accrue interest and does not require a credit check / guarantor.
This form of loan can not be used for accommodation costs / deposits and post dated repayment details are required, along with an agreed repayment date.
If you would like to discuss a loan, please contact Daniel Bennett (daniel.bennett@rncm.ac.uk) to make an appointment.
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A Professional and Career Development Loan could help you pay for learning that enhances your job skills or career prospects. It’s a bank loan, so you’ll go into repayment in the April following graduation, regardless of your income. However, you don’t pay interest for the period when you’re in learning. These loans are NOT the same as undergraduate student loans, and are for UK postgraduate students only (certain EU students may also be eligible).
For more information please contact the Deputy Head of Registry and visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/CareerDevelopmentLoans/DG_10033237
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The Student Awards Committee has established a procedure for dispensing travel funds to students following application. Funds are limited and are intended to support the occasions on which students travel on the College’s behalf to competitions and similar events which are not part of the curriculum.
The attached form is available for completion by students. Applications must be made before the travel costs are incurred and must be approved by Head of School / Programme in the first instance, then passed to the Deputy Head of Registry for approval by the Director of Performance. Special consideration will be given where a student is able to raise funds from other sources.
After the event, receipts will be required for claims to be processed. Please ensure that you follow this procedure and that the number of claims are kept to a minimum in view of the restricted funding.
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Please find attached the criteria for continuing scholarship renewals. Please note - scholarships are for year of entrance unless specified otherwise.