The Student Advisory Team is available to help students and staff with many issues such as benefits, housing, employment rights, travel and money matters.

You can drop into the office for an informal chat, or make an appointment for a more in-depth meeting and get professional and confidential advice from trained staff. If you require specialist advice, the team can refer you to a person or agency that can further assist you.

For further information you can email the Student Advisory Team or call on 020 8502 8744 / 8745.

As a full time student you will be assigned a Pastoral Tutor at the start of your course.

Who are we?

What can you expect from us?

Your tutor will give you the support required to make the most of your time here and ensure that you are safe, treated with respect and have equal opportunities to learn. This will include:

Regular 1:1 tutorial sessions to discuss your progress
Dealing with patterns of non-attendance and poor punctuality
Supporting you in dealing with personal issues which may be affecting your studies
Helping you to achieve your goals by improving your study skills to become an independent learner
Monitoring progress to identify any learning support needs that you may have
Practically supporting you with welfare issues
Encouraging you to be aware of your rights and understand your responsibilities
Helping you to consider your next step beyond College and supporting you with university applications or seeking employment

16-18 BURSARY FUND

Priority will be given to young people with the criteria listed below:

¥ those in care or care leavers
¥ those on probation
¥ young parents and those who are considered to be at risk
¥ young people receiving income support, and disabled young people in receipt of both Employment and Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance
¥ Other young persons who need financial support to help them stay in education or training may also be able to claim a bursary to help with costs of transport, food, equipment or other course-related costs

Travel costs will also be taken into account as part of the assessment process.

How to apply:
To apply for a bursary, you will need to complete a BF1 application form and supply evidence of hardship to Student Advisory Services to be assessed. All applicants must meet government *residency rules – see below.

Family Income less than £15,276: You will need to bring in any means tested benefit evidence. For example, Income support, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing and Council and pension credit. For a tax credit award notice, we will only accept evidence for 2011/2012 with an annual income of less then £15,276.Young people currently or previously in receipt of free school meals are not automatically entitled to receive a bursary, but this may be taken into account.

LEARNER SUPPORT FUND 2011/12

Who is Eligible?
You must be enrolled on either a full or part-time further education government funded course at Epping Forest College.

Hardship
You must be able to provide evidence that you will have difficulty coping with the costs of completing your course. If you are in receipt of any means-tested benefits or if you are an unwaged dependant of someone who is in receipt of a means-tested benefit, then you could be eligible (this evidence needs to be dated within the last three months of the application).

Residency
You must be able to meet the criteria as listed below.

The following table lists the benefits and examples of acceptable evidence:

What students can apply for:
Students who satisfy the above criteria can apply for help with the following:

¥ Essential books and equipment, including mandatory material costs
¥ Extra costs incurred as a result of coming to College. e.g. childcare
¥ Examination fees
¥ Re-sit fees, only if a recommendation has been made by the personal tutor
¥ Extra travel costs to and from College by public transport
¥ Rent in exceptional circumstances, only awarded to students living independently

These funds are subject to availability.
Please call Student Advisory Services on 02085028745 or 02085028744 for further information

If you wish to study, full time or part time at college, at home or at work, we provide free information and advice about the range of learning opportunities for anyone over 16. Our intention is to offer an impartial service. However, as Epping Forest College runs its own programmes, our staff will have more knowledge about courses offered within the organisation.

SERVICES OFFERED
You can access our services in person, by telephone, e-mail or by post.

Admissions and Guidance can help with:-

¥ Full-time and part-time courses at Epping Forest College and other local providers.
¥ Progression onto Higher Education (HE)
¥ Help with completing Applicaton Forms

¥ Financial assistance available for students while studying at college.
¥ Other support for students whilst undertaking a programme of study at Epping Forest College.
¥ Travel costs to and from Epping Forest College
¥ Addresses and details of a wide range of other organisations and agencies which may be able to help you.

¥ Access to our comprehensive Careers Library, which contains occupational information, University prospectuses and information on how to apply to Higher Education.
¥ You will also be able to access specialist careers and HE information through the College IT Network. Whenever possible, a computer will be made available on request to access information database/guidance programmes. To guarantee the use of a computer you are advised to book in advance.
¥ We offer a drop-in service, at busy times it may be a good idea to arrange for an interview in advance. We aim to offer an interview within two weeks. This will usually be within normal office hours, but if this is not convenient, an evening appointment could be arranged.
¥ When you are given information or advice a brief written summary will be provided on request.
¥ Currently written information is only available in English. However, special arrangements may be available to translate into other languages and formats by prior arrangement.

Progressing to university next year?
Find out about how to get help and advice...

There are a range of services offered to students and members of staff who find themselves involved in the UCAS process

¥ In class support during Tutorials or any other UCAS Sessions
¥ One to one support for any member of staff regarding any aspect of the UCAS Process
¥ One to one support for any student needing help with the UCAS application process
¥ Overall monitoring and quality control of the College UCAS Apply Database and submission of student applications

A range of materials to help with the application process:-

¥ The Apply Guide for Tutors
¥ UCAS Application Guidance for first and second year Level 3 students
¥ A regular UCAS Newsletter Ð every half term for students and staff
¥ UCAS Parent Guides
¥ UCAS Big Maps Ð giving details on all Universities
¥ A range of literature and prospectuses in the Careers Library, which is held in the College Library

A range of activities to inform students:-

¥ Higher Education ParentsÕ Evening - March/Apri: College Theatre
¥ EFC Higher Education Fair - Thursday March/April: The Street
¥ Higher Education Superfair - June: Essex University

For more information you can contact the UCAS Administrator Yvonne Crighton on Level 3 in the Learning Resource Centre by telephone: 020 8508 8311 ext.8632 or email. Times can be arranged to suit individual and group requirements.

Some important points about the UCAS scheme:
UCAS Tariff
The new A* carries a value of 140 points. For a full list of the Tariff points for individual qualifications check the UCAS website

Paying your application fee
It is recommended that this be paid direct to UCAS via the application using a debit/credit card. Alternatively, students should print off a copy of their application and take it with the fee to the Reception area. Cheques require the student name and ID on the reverse.

Buzz word
The Buzz word is always in the form efc2011, efc2012 depending on year of starting in HE.

What does it do? - It links the student application to the EFC Apply Database

Fee codes
02 SLC, SAAS NBd, EU, IoM
(Student Loan Company is the usual process)

Passport details for those outside the EU
Details will be collected on the application
¥ Passport number
¥ Date of passport issue
¥ Date of passport expiry
¥ Place of passport issue

Forgotten log in details?
Students who forget their log-in details should think carefully first. If the student needs a new password then the pastoral tutor or the UCAS Administrator can set a new password. The Username is usually the studentÕs first letter of their first name followed by their surname and then a number Ð for example, Sarah Joseph would be something like Ôsjoseph13Õ.

Failure to remember the Username requires the student to phone:
UCAS Customer Services - 0871 4680468
Students can get advice on any UCAS problems. They will need to have their UCAS ID number available or be able to answer some security questions.

If coming to College means you will experience financial hardship, there are a variety of ways you can receive help. You may be eligible for an Adult Learners Grant, a Career Development Loan, Child Care or you may receive an award through the Learner Support Fund.

Adult Learning Grant (ALG)

If you are currently receiving ALG and are continuing to year 2 of the same qualification, you will be issued with a Notice of Entitlement for 2011/12 and will continue to receive ALG.

If you are planning to start a new course in 2011/12 you will not be able to claim ALG as this fund is being discontinued.

If you are in need of support you can apply to the College for discretionary Learner Support Funding.

Care to learn

If you are a young parent aged under 20 and you want to continue or start learning you may be able to get help with child care costs. You can contact the College Student Advisory Service at on 020 8502 8745 or from Learn direct on 0800 100 900.

Free childcare while you train

If you are 20 years or over and out of work and living with your spouse/ partner (who must be working 16 hours per week) you may be eligible to get free childcare for training and learning for work. You can contact the College Student Advisory Service at on 020 8502 8745 or on 0800 121 8989.

Learner Support Fund

Money is available to support students who are having financial difficulty with the cost of coming to College e.g. travel, childcare, books and equipment etc. You can speak to a Student Advisor about accessing this fund in person. Details and Application Forms are available from the Student Advisory Service.

Career Development Loan

Students who are aged over 18 can apply for a loan. Call Learn direct free on 0800 585 505. Information and advice about financial support, local childcare, travel to College and eligibility is available from Student Advisory Service.

Student Services opening hours are:
Mon-Fri 9.00am Ð 4.00pm (drop-in sessions) or make an appointment by calling us on 020 8502 8745.

Can I get help with my Learning?

The College provides a full range of learning support services for students who need extra help, whether it is a physical or learning need. The Additional Learning Support (ALS) Centre specialises in getting you the help needed in order for you to pass your course and progress.

We provide workshops, IT facilities, equipment, aids and one-to-one assistance. To make sure that you receive the support you need from the ALS Centre, please tick the appropriate boxes on your Enrolment Form that highlight your individual learning or physical needs.

This will help us to plan ahead, so that support can be set up as quickly as possible when you join the College. Alternatively, speak to your tutor about your learning needs and an interview will be arranged.

To contact the Additional Learning Support Centre please call 020 8502 8749