Case 1

Cheryl is currently on NC Hairdressing course.

  • She is a single parent of two, age 5 and 7.
  • She is unemployed and on benefits.
  • She would like to apply for Housing Support from the college.

Cheryl is not eligible for college housing support as she is within the small group of student’s studying FE Level course who can still claim housing benefit due to her lone parent status.

She must first claim this benefit from the Local Authority and only if refused housing benefit or housing costs element of Universal Credit, and provide evidence, then the College may consider her for assistance.

Case 2

Jane would like to apply for Housing support from the college.

  • Jane is 23, living with her partner in their own accommodation.
  • She is currently doing HNC Accounting. She is unemployed and not receiving benefits.
  • Her partner is 26, on minimum wages, working around 32 hours a week, claiming Working Tax Credit.

Unfortunately, Jane did not apply for the maximum support from the SAAS and will not qualify to receive financial assistance from the college.

Jane has contacted SAAS and is having her loan re-assessed. However Jane is concerned that combining the full SAAS loan with her parental income may take her over the threshold.

Jane may be eligible for Housing support from the college, as she has applied for the full loan and she is a joint tenant living in her own accommodation.

The college will only take into account their joint household income from employment.

Case 3

Craig is currently doing NC Engineering at College.

  • Craig is 19, single, living in his own accommodation with a flat mate.
  • He has just applied for the Housing Support from the college.

Craig is not eligible for college housing support as he is under 21 and on an FE Level course.

He is within the small group of students who can still claim housing benefit or housing costs element of Universal Credit.  He must first claim this benefit from the Local Authority and only if refused housing benefit or housing costs element of Universal Credit, and he can provide evidence of this, then the College may consider him for assistance.