Student finance higher education funding

Introduction

The Government of Jersey provides financial help for students who are resident in Jersey and who wish to undertake a course in higher education, postgraduate professional education or for a one year Level 3 vocational arts course. This guidance is relevant for students who wish to study for their first undergraduate degree, including those undertaking distance learning courses.

The amount you may be able to receive is means tested. A grant may be payable and is composed of two elements:

1. tuition fees: up to £9,250 per year, except for the tuition fees grant for a one year vocational arts course where the amount is limited to the actual cost of tuition fees for an equivalent course provided by Highlands College.
   
2. maintenance Grant: up to £8,572 for an academic year. This helps to pay some of the living expenses, including accommodation, food and books.

In addition to the above, in certain specific circumstances, a student may be eligible for an allowance. An allowance may be granted to support students with disabilities. We may also provide additional support for students attending interviews, vacation study placements or for certain field trips.

This guide is designed to help students and their families to understand the factors they need to consider before they apply for government funding. This guidance reflects the legislation that determines the amount of grants and allowances, namely the Education (Grants and Allowances) (Jersey) Order 2018, hereafter referred to as the "order".

The order is currently being amended to reflect the changes recently agreed by the Minister for Children and Education. The information in this guide reflects the changes which will become law before the new academic year. Contact the Student Finance team if you have any questions about these changes and how they apply to you.

Once you have read this guidance, complete the student finance application form. Student Finance will provide further relevant forms, including income statement forms, upon receipt of the application. These forms will need to be submitted to Student Finance for funding to be approved.

If there are any questions then contact the Student Finance team for further information:

studentfinance@gov.je

Student Finance office,
Customer and Local Services,
PO Box 55,
La Motte Street,
St Helier,
JE4 8PE

Who is eligible

In 2023 and 2024 a student is eligible for consideration for a grant if they meet all following criteria:

• the student is resident in Jersey (Residency Requirements)
  
• the student is over compulsory school age on 31 August 2023
  
• the student has been offered a place on their chosen course

The precise residency requirement and the way in which the means test is applied to a student will depend on whether the student is an independent student or a dependent student under the terms of the order:

• an independent student is one who, on or before 31 August immediately preceding the start of the first year or the student's course, is aged 25 and over, or married or in a civil partnership, or has been living financially independently from their parents for three years, has no living parent or has a child of their own or is a care leaver
• a dependent student is any student who is not an independent student is treated as a dependent student

Academic requirements

From September 2023, dependent and independent students will need to demonstrate that they have been offered a place on the course of their choice. Higher Education institutions will assess the academic aptitude of potential students and may impose specific entry requirements. There are no academic requirements to be eligible for a grant.

Prior learning at a higher level

A student will not be eligible for funding if they have previously undertaken all or part of a course in higher education, if the new course is at or below the level of the first course. This is regardless of whether or not the first course was funded by the Government of Jersey.

Prior Government of Jersey funding for higher education courses

A student who has previously received a grant for:

• a course leading to a professional examination will not be eligible for funding for a course in higher education
  
• a course of higher education will not be eligible for funding for a 1 year art related course at Level 3 in the British Isles
  
• a course of higher education will not be eligible for funding for a distance learning course
  
• a distance learning course, is only eligible to apply for funding for a course leading to a professional examination
  

Which courses are funded

Undergraduates

Financial assistance may be available to students who wish to undertake a full-time or part-time higher education course, up to a first degree, at a recognised institution. In most cases, three years of funding is available.

Additional funding is available for clinical years of medical, veterinary, dentistry and nursing. 

Professional qualifications

Students can also get financial help for certain postgraduate professional qualifications that are a pre-requisite to going into a particular career. Examples are the PGCE for teaching or the legal practice course/bar vocational course (LPC/BVC). This is also a means tested grant calculated in the same way as funding for a first degree. Contact the Student Finance team if you are unsure. 

Foundation art courses 

Funding is available but the tuition fees grant for a one year course at Level 3 in an arts-related subject is limited to the actual cost of tuition fees for an equivalent course provided by Highlands College.

Location of the higher education provider

The funding is available for higher education in Jersey, in the UK and other countries around the world, provided the course is recognised as being the same standard as a UK higher education (applicants must provide evidence that the course is acceptable).

For courses outside Jersey or the UK, the student must provide evidence that the course is of a recognised standard.

Contact Student Finance for the evidence required if you have any queries.

Where the provider of the course is outside the UK, it will usually be necessary for the tuition fees to be paid by the parent or student directly to the university or college in advance, unlike the position for UK or Jersey institutions. The parent/student will then be reimbursed and will receive up to their entitlement based on household income.

Courses at Scottish universities are sometimes structured differently, some take four years. If these courses are the same as a three year course in other areas of the UK then funding will only be paid for three years. The funding can be spread over four years to assist with cashflow and planning.

Four year courses (with a placement year or study abroad)

Government funding is generally for a three year course. However, some degrees are spread over 4 years because they include a work placement year to gain experience. If this is unpaid, a maintenance grant is available to help the student with living expenses. It will be means-tested in the usual way.

There are also four year courses that have an integrated masters for the final year. The fourth year is not usually funded because it is a postgraduate qualification. Contact the Student Finance team for more information. 

Distance learning

Funding is available for the tuition fees for distance learning courses if they are a person's first higher education course or professional qualification. Students must be enrolled with the open university (on a 30 or 60 point course) or a recognised distance learning institution in England, Scotland or Wales that the department has approved.

For distance learning courses there are no prior academic requirements. The maximum funding available is £7,400 per academic year.

Further education funding

Skills bursary (for 16 to 18 year olds)

This funding scheme enables young people to develop a particular skill or talent for which training is not available on the island. Examples are specialist sports scholarships or dance courses.

The skills bursary allowance is specifically for students who are 16 to 18 years old on 31 August of the academic year their course starts and who have been ordinary resident in Jersey for the five years before that.

Applicants must be taking a full-time course of up to two years that leads to a recognised qualification at Level 2 or Level 3. Up to £6,675 is available per academic year.

Discretionary and Independent funding

In addition to the funding available under the order, there are some sources of additional discretionary or independent funding available. These are briefly introduced below, but further specific rules apply and the rest of this guidance should not be taken to reflect the rules for eligibility for such funds.

Jersey bursary (for postgraduate courses)

Graduates who have a degree of a minimum 2:I classification can apply for funding for postgraduate study, either a Masters or a Doctorate. Up to £10,000 is available per student and it can be used for fees or maintenance. This bursary is not means tested and there is a limited amount of funding available so applicants compete with other candidates for the grants.

Other bursaries and funds

There is a list of 30 additional bursaries provided to Jersey through private companies or charitable trusts. Many are reserved for students who want to work in specific areas such as law, engineering or construction and there are various deadline dates for applying. These are not run by the Government of Jersey so students need to contact the administrators direct.

How funding is calculated

The amount of financial help a student receives from the government for each year of the student's course will depend in most cases on the "relevant Income" of the student. The "relevant income" is determined for each academic year (starting 1 September and finishing 31 August) of a student's course and so income forms will need to be submitted in respect of each year that funding is sought. 

The order sets out the method of calculating a student's relevant income in respect of an academic year. It is important to recognise that the "relevant income" may be:

1. that of the student;
2. the student's parent(s) or
3. another person the student lives with and the input of those persons will be required to complete an application
   

In general terms the amount of support available tapers as the amount of the "relevant income" increases, as can be seen in the tables below. A student will be ineligible for funding if the relevant assets of the student exceed £500,000. 

Income

The meaning of "relevant income" for a student depends on whether the student is an independent student or a dependent student.

For an independent student, the relevant income is the sum of:

• the student's gross income for the calendar year in which the academic year starts (i.e. income for the calendar year 2023 for a course starting after 1 September 2023); and
• the gross income of the student's spouse, civil partner or any person the student is living 

With in a relationship like a marriage or civil partnership for the calendar year in which the academic year starts.

If the student married or entered the civil partnership or began living with the person in a like relationship during the calendar year then only a proportion of that person's income will be taken into account.

For a dependent student, the method of calculating the student's relevant income will depend on whether the student lives with one or both of their natural or adoptive parents:

• where the dependent student's parents live together with the student in the student's main residence in Jersey then the relevant income will be the sum of the gross income of both parents for the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the academic year commences (i.e. for the calendar year 2022 for a course starting after 1 September 2023); or 
• where the dependent student lives in the student's main residence with one parent (the "resident parent") and with a person who is not the student's parent, but with whom the parent is married, in a civil partnership or in a relationship like a marriage or civil Partnership (a "relevant person") then the relevant income will be either:
• by default, the sum of the gross income of the resident parent and the relevant person; or
  
• the sum of the income of both the resident and non-resident parents, but only where both parents have agreed that the student's relevant income should be determined in this way,
  

For the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the academic year commences (i.e. for the calendar year 2022 for an academic course starting after 1 September 2023).

• where the dependent student lives in their main residence with one parent and with no relevant person, then the relevant income will be:
• for new students whose non-resident parent has died or cannot be located or contacted, the gross income of the resident parent for the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the academic year commences; or
• for all other students, the sum of the gross income of both the resident and non-resident parents for the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the academic year commences.

The meaning of "income"

With respect to any person referenced above whose gross income may be taken into account, "income" has a defined meaning in Article 3A of the order. In short, a person's income includes any profits, gains, salaries, fees, wages and perquisites of any kind arising from any source, whether in Jersey or elsewhere. 

Without limiting the broad application of the point above, income is specified by the order to include:

• any income applied by another person, under a trust, for or towards the maintenance, education, or other benefit, of the person or of any other person dependent on or maintained by that person;
• any amount payable, whether under an order of a court or any agreement, for the maintenance of the person or of any other person dependent on that person.
• any benefit or bonus or payment (however described) payable to or in respect of the person under any of the following laws:

(i) Social Security Hypothecs (Jersey) Law 2014,

(ii) Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974,

(iii) Income Support (Jersey) Law 2007,

(iv) Long-term Care (Jersey) Law 2012; and

• any deemed income (see below)

Where an individual holds, an interest of 5% or greater in the share capital of a company or a partnership interest in an entity (see Article 3A(4) of the order) during a calendar year for which the individual's income is relevant income then they may have deemed income. In this case the individual is deemed to receive as income the proportion of the profits made by the relevant entity during that calendar year that is equivalent to the proportion of the individual's relevant interest in that entity. If that individual holds that interest for part only of that calendar year, the amount that the individual is deemed to receive as income is apportioned to reflect the portion of the year in which the individual held the relevant interest. 

Where a person has deemed income, copies of certified accounts must be provided for the entity or for each entity in which such an interest is owned.

• parents who prefer not to complete an income statement form will be considered as a maximum contributor. You will not receive any funding for tuition fees and maintenance but still qualify for a disabled student allowance (DSA). The student's details will be retained so that they can receive information about job opportunities and other information so that they can be registered with Customer and Local Services for student credits
• parents who wish to apply for funding but do not complete the income statement form by the deadline will be considered as a maximum contributor. You will not receive any funding for tuition fees and maintenance but still qualify for a disabled student allowance (DSA). The student's details will be retained so that they can receive information about job opportunities and other information so that they can be registered with Customer and Local Services for student credits.
  

Assets

If a person whose income should be taken into account for an academic year has, on 31 December preceding the start of the academic year, capital assets, excluding their main residence, worth more than £500,000, then the student will not be eligible for funding through this scheme. Such relevant assets include other properties, stocks, shares, bonds, goodwill of a business or tangible/moveable assets.

What you might receive

From the 2023 to 2024 academic year, the maintenance element of the grant will be calculated using a sliding scale, rather than the previous bandings. Tuition fees will continue to be calculated using bandings.

The sliding scale model means that for approximately every £6 increase in relevant income between £50,000 and £89,999, eligible students will see a reduction of £1 in their maintenance grant. The amount you receive will be precisely calculated to reflect the exact level of your relevant income, if this is below £90,000.

Before the introduction of a sliding scale calculation, maintenance grants for the 2023 to 2024 academic year would have been awarded using bandings. A comparison of the 2 models is available below. These tables are provided for illustrative purposes only, final grant awards will be confirmed by the Student Finance team following the assessment of each application.

For 2023 to 2024 academic year, grants will be awarded as follows:

Independent students and dependent off-island students

Dependent on-island students

Students studying in London

From September 2023, students studying in London will receive a 10% uplift to their assessed maintenance grant to support the higher cost of living in London. The ‘London component’ will be calculated before the addition of the Article 15 flat-rate component or any applicable allowances.

The level of the uplift will be kept under review and may change in future years.

The Student Finance team will determine whether a higher education institution is classed as being in London. Students who study at an institution outside London but who choose to live in London are not eligible for the London component.

Medicine, dentistry, nursing and veterinary students 

Students undertaking a course in medicine, dentistry, nursing or veterinary science, who have a relevant income under £100,000, are eligible to receive a flat-rate clinical component in addition to their maintenance grant. The clinical component for 2023 to 2024 will be:

• £1,143 for independent students and dependent off-Island students
  
• £1,068 for dependent on-Island students
  

Distance Learning

How to apply for funding

Students need to apply for funding well before their course starts to be sure of receiving a grant for the beginning of term.

Students can apply from 1 January 2023 if your course starts anytime from 1 September 2023 and finishes by 31 August 2024. Students only need to apply once for their course. Applications must be submitted by 31 December 2023 and applications received after that date will not be accepted. Students are advised to submit an application by 31 March 2023 wherever possible as this will enable all the necessary paperwork to be completed before they receive their results.

For anyone who is considering university but unsure, contact the Careers Guidance team at skillsjersey@gov.je for advice on education, career options and next steps.

An application may be submitted to Student Finance and withdrawn if the student decides not to attend before funding is paid.

Parent's or student will need to submit a new Income Statement form for each academic year. This is so that any changes in their financial circumstances can be taken into account. For continuing students this will be automatically sent out by Student Finance at the beginning of each calendar each year.

Why you should apply through student finance

We recommend that parents and students apply to the Student Finance office even if the relevant income of a student means there will be no entitlement to a grant. There are a number of benefits of doing this including:

• Automatic registration with Customer and Local Services so that a student’s contributions (student credits) are paid while they are studying for up to three years
• Contact with Student Finance who can forward relevant job opportunities and other useful information

Practicalities and conditions

How the funding is given out

The maintenance grant is usually paid in three instalments. Students will be asked to provide their bank details. The grant will be paid directly into their bank account. Tuition fees will be paid directly to the college or university in the UK each term once the Student Finance team have received an invoice from the institution. 

If the student is studying outside the UK or Jersey, the fees will need to be paid by the student/parent directly to the institution. Student Finance will then refund the payment up to their entitlement.

Absence from the course

A maintenance grant may be affected if a student is absent from their course. A portion of the grant will be withheld or reclaimed by the Government for the period a student is not in attendance. A medical note or other evidence is required if the student is absent because of an illness. 

Repeating an academic year

Repeat periods of study are not funded. If a student does not complete and pass an academic year and is required to retake the year either full-time or part-time, they will have to finance the tuition fees and maintenance costs that year themselves. No additional funding is available. The grant will be reinstated once a student successfully completes the resit year.

Trailing a module

Some colleges and universities allow students to progress to the next academic year even if they have not completed all their modules. This usually only happens if they have gained enough credits for the whole of the course. Students need to contact the Student Finance team if this is the case. 

Failure and withdrawal

If a student abandons or fails a part or all of a course or the institution refuses to allow the student to complete it, there will be a financial penalty. Where prompt notification of withdrawal is provided to Student Finance by the student or parents, the amount repayable will usually be limited to the tuition fees for the last term that was paid for by the government, and a portion of any maintenance grant received for the term in which they left. If the department is not notified promptly, the amount repayable may be the whole amount for that academic year. No further tuition fees or maintenance will be paid after Student Finance has been informed that a student has withdrawn.

If a student withdraws from a course due to ill health no repayments are required as long as satisfactory evidence is provided from both the institution and a doctor.

Appeals

All applications for student funding are decided by Student Finance initially. Students who feel their application has not been dealt with correctly under the legislation, can request a review by writing to Student Finance. If you are not satisfied with the decision, then you may appeal to the Grants Appeal Panel. Appeals must be submitted within two months of receiving notification of the decision about the grant.

Extra financial help

Disabled student allowance

A disabled student allowance (DSA) may be available to students with a disability. A DSA could be awarded to pay for a non-medical helper, other reasonable costs; or where the relevant income is below £90,000, the cost of purchasing or hiring specialist equipment subject to a maximum of £5,151. Any student who thinks they may be eligible for DSA should complete the application process and indicate this on the online application form (HE1). Contact Student Finance should you have any queries in relation to DSA.

Interview attendance expenses

If an applicant’s gross family income is below £50,000 and have assets of under £500,000 they might qualify for help with reasonable travelling costs for the student only. This covers one trip to attend an interview for an approved higher education course. The maximum amount available of £258 can be claimed for the actual, reasonable travel costs for the student, but not for accommodation or meals. 

Looked after children will receive this allowance regardless of income. The allowance will include payment for an appropriate adult also.

Field trip allowances

Students may be awarded an allowance to attend during term time a “field-trip” as defined in the order (to exclude placements).

Vacation study allowance

Students may be awarded a vacation study allowance if they are required to attend a trip outside of term time as defined in the order. 

Details of the allowances that may be paid are provided in the order:

Education (Grants and Allowances) (Jersey) Order 2022

Applications should be made before the field-trip or vacation study takes place.

Checklist of what to do and when

For parents and students entering their first or subsequent year:

​Step	​Action to take	​Timescale
​1	​Complete online application form HE1: Apply for student finance	​From January 2023 and ideally by 31 March, but no later than 31 December
​2	​Income Statement Form HE2 sent to parents  by Student Finance	​After HE1 is received by  Student Finance
​3	​Parents complete Income Statement  Form HE2 and return to the address on  the front of the HE2 form. Online HE2 checklist	​As soon as possible
​4	Existing university students send results to  Student Finance via Document Upload Form on completion of the year.	​June to August
​5	​Student to complete online form HE7 and  send university offer letter to Student  Finance.	​June to August
​6	​Student, parents and university or college are notified of what funding they will receive. Important Notes for Parents and Students	​Summer
​7	Autumn maintenance grant will be sent  direct to the student.	​From September
​8	​Parents receive link for HE2 to complete for the next academic year.	​January

Submitting documents online