New eligibility category for Ukrainian nationals and their family members to be included in the Education Maintenance Allowance and Welsh Government Learning Grant (Further Education) Schemes: academic year 2022 to 2023
This information notice provides details of the new eligibility category for Ukrainian nationals and their family members.
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Overview
This Information Notice provides details of the new eligibility category for Ukrainian nationals and their family members, which will be included in the income assessed Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and Welsh Government Learning Grant (Further Education) (WGLG (FE)) schemes for academic year 2022 to 2023.
Please ensure that this Information Notice is circulated to all staff and colleagues who help to administer the schemes.
A copy of the EMA and WGLG (FE) schemes for 2022 to 2023 will shortly be available to view on the Welsh Government’s funding and finance for students web page.
New residency category for Ukrainian nationals and their family members
Provision will be included in the EMA and WGLG (FE) schemes for academic year 2022 to 2023 for those granted leave by the Home Office under the relevant Ukraine schemes or granted leave outside the Immigration Rules for a reason connected to the conflict in Ukraine. The new category is similar to that included for higher education student finance and previously communicated through Information Notice 06/2022.
The new category will be in line with other protection-based categories, this means the person will not need to satisfy the standard three years ordinarily resident period in the UK.
A person will be eligible if they have:
- been granted leave under the Ukraine Schemes
- been granted leave outside the Immigration Rules for a reason connected to the conflict in Ukraine
- is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands and has not ceased to be so resident since being granted leave under the Ukraine Scheme or outside the Immigration Rules
- is ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the course
A person will be eligible for support if satisfying the new eligibility category criteria and all other relevant criteria.
Application forms
Student Finance Wales have updated the application form and guidance notes for academic year 2022 to 2023 available from Student Finance Wales.
We will only be able to determine eligibility and entitlement following receipt of a fully completed application with appropriate supporting evidence.
Students who meet the requirements detailed above and who are seeking to apply for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) (FE) should apply using the application form and guidance notes for academic year 2022 to 2023 that are available to download from Student Finance Wales.
Students who have already received an application pack from their school or college before 1 August 2022, or who have previously applied and been made ineligible on the grounds of their residency status should consult the latest update on the Student Finance Wales website for guidance on how to apply.
The Student Finance Wales bilingual customer service can also be contacted on 0300 200 4050.
Enquiries
If you have any queries, please contact the Higher Education Division, Welsh Government via email studentfinancedivision@gov.wales. We welcome correspondence in Welsh or English.
A copy of this Information Notice can be downloaded in Welsh or English from our funding and finance for students webpage.
Large print, Braille and alternate language versions of this document are available on request.