New College Nottingham is participating in the government's new National Scholarship Programme (NSP), which is being launched in the 2012–13 academic year. The NSP scheme has been set up to support students from low income households with a package of financial support worth £3,000 (pro-rata for part-time).
The scheme is jointly funded by the government and the College, and we will be awarding 24 (full-time equivalent) National Scholarships to students entering in the 2012–2013 academic year. National Scholarships are for the first year of study only and subject to eligibility criteria and assessment.
National Scholarship Eligibility
NSP awards are only available to students starting the first year of a Higher Education programme. Other criteria which have been laid down by the government are that you must be:
- ordinarily resident in England or the EU*
- liable to pay College’s 2012/13 tuition fee of £5750 (part-time students will pay a proportion of this fee)
- a new full-time or part-time undergraduate student starting College for the first time in 2012
- from a low income household, defined as one with a residual income of £25,000** or less
* NSP awards are not available to students who are ordinarily resident in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. EU and part-time students are only eligible for the fee waiver element of the award.
** Residual income is based on gross household income (before tax and National Insurance) and your financial assessment will be based on your Student Finance England breakdown.
The limited number of NSP awards will be allocated to those students with the lowest household incomes. Where applications exceed scholarships available at a given income level other criteria will be used and priority given to the following: Disabled students, students who were looked after children/care leavers, students living with dependents and students from disadvantaged socio-economic areas. If after this applications exceed scholarships still available, a decision will be based upon a selection process where all eligible candidates have an equal chance of being chosen. Therefore meeting all of the criteria does not necessarily guarantee an award.
The following students are not eligible for the NSP
- students continuing directly from one course to another in 2012 (for example from a Foundation Degree to a BA (Hons) Top-up Degree)
- part-time students who are studying less than 25 per cent intensity of the equivalent full-time course
- students whose fees are paid in whole or part through sponsorship (for example by their employer)
How much is the NSP award?
Full-time students will receive a £2000 fee-waiver, reducing their first year fees to £3750, and a £1,000 cash bursary. This is the maximum amount allowed by the government. The fee waiver will be awarded to part-time students on a pro-rata basis.
When can I apply?
Application forms will be sent directly to those holding a firm course offer on an eligible programme. The application form will cover both the NSP awards and the ncn Special Support Bursary.
Further advice
For further information contact the HE Support Team using 0115 910 4584 or by email using he.team@ncn.ac.uk