These pages outline the financial support arrangements for UK students joining the Fastrack: Preparation for higher education programme at Edge Hill University in academic year 2023/24.
We can help explain what student funding you may be entitled to receive and how to apply for it.
Introduction
Edge Hill University is committed to providing financial support for Fastrack students. If you are studying on the Fastrack programme this year, you may be eligible for some financial support whilst you are enrolled on the course. If eligible, this funding which you will not need to pay back includes a financial contribution towards the following costs only:
Travel Expenses. Help towards the cost of travelling from your home address to attend face-to-face sessions on campus up to a maximum of £80 per week.
Childcare Costs. Help towards costs over and above any free childcare provision, through a registered provider, to enable you to attend the course.
Please note, the Fastrack Fund is designed to provide a contribution towards each of the above and may not subsidise the full costs of these expenses. The funding for successful applicants will be paid in two instalments following enrolment onto the Fastrack course.
Whether you are eligible to receive a payment from the fund is determined by whether you are receiving certain benefits or allowances or if your gross household income is below a specific threshold as outlined below.
Please note, a maximum overall award amount of £4,000 applies per student.
The information on these pages may be subject to change.
Tuition fees
The Fastrack programme is free of charge to UK students joining the October 2023 intake.
How do I apply to the Fastrack Fund?
Approximately two weeks before the start of the Fastrack programme all Fastrack students will receive a personal email invite to apply for financial support from the Fastrack Fund. You will receive an email link to the application form and you will need to submit your application no later than 5pm on the first day of the Fastrack course.
Fastrack funding eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the Fastrack Fund, you must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits or allowances:
Working Tax Credit
NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
Housing Benefit
Maximum rate of Child Tax Credit
Income-based or contribution-based Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related or contribution-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Full Universal Credit (basic allowance, housing and/or childcare costs)
If you are not in receipt of any of the above benefits or allowances, you may still be eligible for support through the Fastrack Fund if your gross household income does not exceed a specified threshold amount for the past twelve months. This threshold will vary depending on whether you are single, living with a partner and/or have dependent children.
Status
Gross Household Income
Single
£21,164 or less
Single parent and one dependent child
£23,404 or less
Single parent and two dependent children
£25,644 or less
Single parent and three dependent children
£27,884 or less
Single parent and four dependent children
£30,124 or less
Living with partner
£23,404 or less
Living with partner and one dependent child
£25,644 or less
Living with partner and two dependent children
£27,884 or less
Living with partner and three dependent children
£30,124 or less
Living with partner and four dependent children
£32,364 or less
Please note, if you are a single parent with five or more dependent children, or if you are living with a partner and have five or more dependent children, an uplift to the corresponding gross household income threshold for four dependent children will apply at a rate of £2,240 for each additional child.
Not working during Fastrack
If you are not in paid employment during the Fastrack course, your income will be classed as zero and will not be included in the assessment of your household gross income. Evidence will be required to prove that you are no longer in employment, such as a P45 form or a letter from your previous employer.
Fastrack frequently asked questions
What does Fastrack funding cover?
Travel Expenses. Helping towards the cost of travelling from your home address to attend face-to-face sessions on campus up to a maximum of £80 per week
Childcare Costs. Help towards costs over and above any free childcare provision, through a registered provider, to enable you to attend the course
It is important that you ensure you have a sufficient contingency to cover your other expenses and living costs for the duration of the Fastrack course. Our Fastrack fund is limited to Travel, Childcare and Accommodation fees only.
What evidence will I need to supply for Fastrack funding?
You will need to provide evidence of your living arrangements, household income and anticipated expenditure on travel and/or childcare as outlined on the application form.
How will I know if my application for Fastrack funding is approved?
Once your application has been processed, you will be informed of the decision via email to your registered Edge Hill University email address. The outcome of your application will be confirmed and, if successful, you will be advised of the amount of the award and date when the money will be paid to you.
If I’m eligible for funding, when will I receive my payment?
For those who qualify for funding, payments will be made in two equal instalments. You should receive 50% of your award at the end of week two and 50% at the end of week four. A registration check will be made to ensure students are in attendance prior to payments being made. It is therefore important, that you have adequate provision in place to cover your travel and childcare costs for the first two weeks of the course.
Please note, payment dates may differ slightly however we will confirm your payment date in your award notification letter.
How are childcare costs paid?
If you’re eligible for support towards your childcare costs, payments will be made directly to you and you will then need to pay the childcare provider direct.
We will only cover childcare costs for registered childcare providers. We don’t provide childcare costs for students who are paying a family member or friend to look after children during the course.
Will I still be able to claim Universal Credit during the Fastrack programme?
Guidance from www.gov.uk states:
You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re studying in full-time non-advanced education, you do not get a student loan or maintenance grant and you are available for work.
Non-advanced education is any qualification up to A Level, or equivalent. Full-time courses include:
National Qualification Framework level 3 or the Scottish Qualification framework level 6
General Certificate of Education Advanced level (A Level)
AS Level
Advanced Diploma
National Diploma, Certificate or Award
Level 3 NVQ, Award, Certificate or Diploma
Fastrack is a level 3 programme so falls into the A Level equivalent, meaning it is a none advanced education course.
On the first day of the Fastrack Programme students will receive a letter stating that they are on Fastrack, what they are progressing on to and showing this criteria so that they can present it to the DWP if needed.
You may need to demonstrate that you’re still actively looking for work and would be willing to give up Fastrack if a job opportunity became available.
When should I apply for Student Finance for my intended degree programme?
It’s important that you also refer to the money matters guide for your intended degree. If you have submitted your application to join the Fastrack programme, we strongly recommend applying for financial support for your intended degree as early as possible to ensure your application is received and processed in good time by Student Finance England (or equivalent funding body). Please do not wait until after you have completed the Fastrack course before applying for student finance for the first year of your degree.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate and associated financial support. Irish nationals should ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please see our dedicated guide to EU student finance for further information.
How should I apply for Student Finance?
For information on how to apply for financial support for your intended degree upon completion of Fastrack, as well as comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible students, please view the relevant money matters guide for your intended programme and start date.
We strongly recommend applying for financial support as early as possible to ensure your application is received and processed in good time. Please do not wait until after you have completed Fastrack to apply. The window for student finance usually opens early in the calendar year and it is a good idea to apply well before the start of the Fastrack course. Applications are made online to Student Finance England at www.gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance or via the equivalent funding body for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to apply for once you are enrolled on the Fastrack course.
Sports Scholarships
Sports Scholarships, worth up to £1,000 per academic year, reward talent, achievement and dedication in sport and are designed to enhance your sporting performance
If you wish to apply for a Sports Scholarship, we will categorise your application as coming from a prospective student (since you would be applying prior to the start of your degree). Sports Scholarships are available to full-time students only.
Preparation for Higher Education Scholarship
The Preparation for higher education scholarship, worth £1,000, rewards determination, commitment and achievement on the Fastrack course, taking attendance, progress, and promise displayed in the face of adversity into consideration.
If you wish to be considered for any of these scholarships, you will need to apply for them while studying the Fastrack course. If your application is successful you will receive the scholarship while studying your degree.
A range of further scholarships are available which you can apply for, or be nominated for, as a current student enrolled on a full-time Edge Hill University degree (some exclusions may apply).
For more information on the full range of scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit the scholarships webpage.
Student Opportunity Fund
You can also make the most of your student experience and take advantage of career enhancing opportunities while studying your degree by applying for financial support from our Student Opportunity Fund.
Contact us
If you’ve got any questions about your eligibility for Fastrack financial support, or if you wish to receive advice and guidance on applying for funding (including support in completing funding applications), you can get in touch with the Money Advice Team.
The above email inbox is only monitored for one month prior to the start of Fastrack programme and one month after the start of the programme. If you’ve got any questions outside of this timeframe in relation to Fastrack funding please email [email protected].
All advice and guidance provided by the University is subject to any information which you choose to impart to us, about your individual circumstances, being correct. The advice and guidance you receive will be based upon current eligibility criteria.
All staff will treat any information you share with them in the strictest confidence.
Further information
Our Student Services webpages includes money advice, including useful tips on how to increase your income and reduce your expenses while at university, together with advice about keeping track of your finances and managing your money effectively.
Student finance resources and information, including a popular discussion forum, for English-domiciled students can also be found on The Student Room website.