How much ALG can I get?

To decide how much you get, we look at your household’s annual income and the number of hours your course(s) is.

If you are studying full time, you can receive an ALG (FE) payment of up to £1,500 or £750 if you are studying part time. Your college must confirm your attendance, for you to get payments each term.

Your Household

If you are a dependant student

When we say ‘your household’, we mean, your parent(s) or guardian(s) if you are a dependant student. If you are dependent, we look at your parent(s) or guardian(s) income.

If you are an independent student

We consider you dependent unless you fall into one of these independent categories:

• you will be 25 or over on the first day of your course(s);
• you were married or in a civil partnership before the start of your course(s);
• you are estranged from your parents;
• both of your parents have died;
• you have been financially supporting yourself for more than 3 years;
• you are responsible for a child; or
• you are living under the care of a Local Authority.

If you are independent, your household income means your income plus that of any partner you live with. If you work part-time, this income is not counted when we look at your household income.

ALG (FE) will not affect any benefits that you or your household already get.

Amounts

Here are the household incomes and the amounts you could get for courses starting 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2011:

Payments are made directly to your bank or building society account, so you must have one before applying for ALG (FE). Remember that the account must accept direct credits.

If you cannot open a bank or building society account in your own name, please contact us.

Reassessment of ALG FE entitlement

If your household income has changed you may be entitled to a reassessment of your original ALG FE entitlement.

By telling us about what has changed and by providing original evidence, we can have a look at your situation and reassess you on your current household income. We can then pay you the correct amount of ALG FE you are entitled to for the 2010/11 academic year.

Under what circumstances can I get a reassessment?

You can apply for a reassessment of your ALG FE entitlement if any of the following applies to you:

• You are now responsible for a child of your own.
• You are now living under Local Authority Care.
• You are now financially supporting yourself via:
  • Employment/Self Employment earnings;
  • Taxable Benefits;
  • Income Support/Income Based Employment and Support Allowance in your own name.
• There has been a permanent drop in household income because:
  • One or both of your parents are deceased;
  • One or both of your parents are now disabled;
  • Your household earnings or benefits have recently changed.

Where can I get a reassessment form?

You can get a reassessment form by calling our customer services team on 0845 602 8845

Can I get help to complete the form?

Yes. When you receive your application form it will include guidance notes to help you with any difficult questions. You should refer to the guidance notes before you complete the form.

You will need to provide original evidence to support your reassessment.

When should I apply for a reassessment?

You should apply as soon as your circumstances have changed.

At the very latest, we must receive your form and all requested evidence by31 August 2011or you will not be eligible for a reassessment for academic year 2010/11.

Who can I contact with further questions?

If you have any queries regarding your reassessment you can contact us by:

• calling 0845 602 8845;
• emailing algfe@slc.co.uk