Starting College

Welcome to City and Islington College! Starting college can be both exciting and challenging so we’ve done our best to make it easy for you. This page contains information and resources which can help to support you before you start your course at CANDI. Induction dates for your first day in college can also be found here.

If you are a new student trying to log on to our other college systems, you will need to use your student number and password. More information is available on our Student Login page.

Financial Support

Bursary and Child Support

Depending on your age and personal/financial situation you could be eligible to receive a bursary. The bursary should be used to meet the costs of childcare, transport, equipment, books or other course-related costs.

You can apply online for the bursaries and funds, including Further Education Free Meals, online using PayMyStudent.

Discretionary Bursary
You may be eligible for a discretionary bursary if you are aged 16 to 19 and have a household income up to £25,000 per annum. Discretionary bursaries are means-tested and are intended to support learners with books, transport or course equipment costs. The amount of bursary you will receive is based on household income, equipment cost or travel distance to the college. You may also be eligible for a Discretionary bursary if you are aged 19 to 24 and have an Education & Health Care Plan (EHCP).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Our 16-19 Bursaries are funded by the Education Funding Agency and are intended to be used for college-related costs such as books, materials and the cost of any travel to and from the college. Bursaries do not need to be repaid as long as you remain in college and maintain a minimum attendance rate of 90%. Furthermore, if you meet the eligibility criteria, you may also receive Further Education Free Meals. And, if you are a young parent and need childcare support, you may get help through the Care to Learn (C2L) scheme. You can apply online for the bursaries and funds online using PayMyStudent – you can use any of the following benefit outlined below (please note all benefit letter need to be within 6 month of applying also make sure to provide all pages of benefit letter).

Do you qualify for help?

Must be 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August 2020 or 19 years old continuing student on a study programme that began at aged 16 to 18
19 to 24 years old on an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) (DB and FEFM only)
UK resident in the last 3 years

Discretionary Bursary
Tier 1 – £480
To qualify for Tier 1 your parent/guardian must be in receipt of one of the benefit listed below (benefit letter must be within 6 months and all pages are required):

Income Support
Universal credit (3 months statement required)
Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
Income Based Employment and Support Allowance.
Pensions Credit (Guaranteed element) – You (the student applying) is in receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or 19 years old on an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) (DB and FEFM only)

Tier 2 – £390
To qualify for Tier 2 your parent/guardian must be in receipt of one of the following benefits listed below (benefit letter must be within 6 month and all pages are required):

Contribution Based Job Seekers Allowance
Contribution Based Employment Support Allowance
Working Tax Credit (2020/21)
Child Tax Credit (gross income £16,190)

Tier 3 – £300
To qualify for Tier 3 please provide one of the required documents listed below:

Your household income is between £16,191-£25,000 per annum
3 months of pay slips or P60

Further Education Free Meals (FEFM)
You may be eligible for FEFM, if your Parent/Carer are in receipt of one of the following: (Benefit letter must be within 6 months and all pages are required)

Universal Credit (3 months of statements required)
Child Tax Credits (2020/21) (gross income £16,190)
Income Support
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
Income Based Employment Support Allowance
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Pensions Credit (Guaranteed Element)

How and when should you apply?
Applications are assessed on a first come, first serve basis. Apply as soon as you enrol. Attendance is monitored and checked prior to payments being made; students with an attendance lower than 90% on the day a payment is due, will have their payments withdrawn.

Please note: The dispensation of the Discretionary Bursary is subject to the availability of funds

16-19 Vulnerable Young Person Bursary
You may be eligible for £1,200 over the academic year if you are aged 16 to 19 and living in care or are a recent care leaver, or living independently and in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Income Support, PIP, ESA or Universal Credit. The bursary is intended to support you with course related costs, such as travel, books or equipment.

19+ Learner Support Fund
You may be eligible for financial support for travel and course related costs if you are aged 19 and over with an income of up to £21,952 (household income £26,000) a year. Travel cost are capped at £50 per month and based how far you live from the college.

Child Support
For help with Childcare please contact SFS-Helpdesk@candi.ac.uk or call 0207 704 5539, or speak to one of the student advisors at our centres.

Learning Support

Do you have dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or any other learning support need? Do you need help with your study skills or digital skills? If you do, then the Learning Support team is here to help. You can talk to us about your learning support needs before you apply to CANDI, at enrolment or at any time during your course.

Learner Services

We have Learner Services staff at each of our centres, who can give you information about courses, and the services and facilities that are available to you as a student.

We can help you with:

Course applications – We can guide you through the process and we can even help you complete your application
Enrolling onto a course – We can explain the enrolment process and help you complete the appropriate forms. We will discuss payment methods and fee remission criteria relevant to your age and financial circumstances. We can also give advice on other financial support that may be available to you, depending on your circumstances
Course information – We can provide you with course information and discuss various options available to you. If you need detailed course content information, we can signpost you to a specialist for advice.
Referrals to other services – We can book appointments with our Careers and Employability Service on your behalf or put you in contact with one of our learner welfare teams.

Whilst Studying at CANDI…

Attendance and Behaviour Expectations

Your experience at CANDI will result in you obtaining a qualification and give you an advantage when it comes to progressing to higher education and employment. We want you to develop into future entrepreneurs and highly sought-after employees.

This means we have high expectations of our students, to best prepare you for the world of work or higher education, such as university. This includes not only your course content, but also employability skills, work experience, as well as English and Maths.

Attendance
You are expected to attend classes in line with your timetable. Students should aim for 100% attendance; an employer would expect nothing less
Punctuality
Be on time – put yourself and your peers in the best position to learn, without disruption
Attitude
Our students are expected to be confident, creative, work-ready, organised and resilient – these are in line with our values

In Addition to Your Studies…

Whatever your interests, there is a lot going on at all of our centres. So get involved, have some fun, learn new skills or do some good for others. Here is a taste of what goes on:

Clubs and societies
Get to know your fellow students through a range of activities. Join the student Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Learner Voice or college clubs and societies – from Football to Debate Society! Why not join one of our sports teams* and represent your college locally?
*Availability of sports activities are subject to change according to government advice and Health and Safety policy. Contact Learner Services at your centre for more information.
Current Affairs
Learn about and debate important topics with visiting experts, from human rights to genetics.
Supporting Others
Develop your teamwork skills and help others by becoming a student ambassador, study buddy or peer mentor, or by getting involved in campaigns such as Stand Up to Racism. Take part in volunteering and fundraising for local charities and organisations.
Celebrate Together
Join us to recognise and celebrate a range of college and public events, including our own Graduation ceremonies, Black History Month, International Women’s Day and LGBTQ+ History Month. There will be posters up around the centre displaying the programme of enrichment events. This can also be found on Moodle.

Your First Day

Sixth Form College, Angel

Year 12 – Tuesday 7 September – 9am
Year 13 – Monday 6 September – 1pm

Centre for Applied Sciences, Angel

Year 1 Students (16-18) – Tuesday 7 September – 9am
Year 2 Students (16-18) – Monday 6 September – 1pm
Adult Students – Details will be sent directly to you

Centre for Business, Arts and Technology, Camden Road

Year 1 Students (16-18) – Tuesday 7 September – 9am
Year 2 Students (16-18) – Monday 6 September – 1pm

Centre for Lifelong Learning, Finsbury Park

Professional Services, Access and Hair & Beauty (day students) Monday 6 September – 1pm
Professional Services, Access and Hair & Beauty (evening students) – Monday 6 September – 6pm
English, Maths, Supported Learning and Counselling (day students) – Tuesday 7 September – 9am
English, Maths, Supported Learning and Counselling (evening students) – Tuesday 7 September – 6pm