SUPPORT
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS REQUIRING EXTRA
FINANCIAL HELP
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Mature students may apply for a 30% student discount Railcard. Instructions on how to apply via Betonica are here.
Some students may be able to apply for a Council Tax discount if they request a letter confirming they are on a course that is at least 1 year and a minimum of 21 hours per week. However, with caution and at student’s own risk due to some councils refusing or revoking decisions.
Get student discount codes at Student Beans and Unidays - register with a Betonica confirmation/acceptance letter
Some students have used their confirmation letter to gain Apple discounts.
Aeon books has a 20% Betonica student discount on selected books
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This page provides links to grants and bursaries that may be helpful for students requiring extra financial support. If you come across a useful link or tip, please share it with us.
Herbal Reality Emergency Grant: Apply for up to £100 for financial hardship (see below)
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Use a search engine to find local community/borough groups and charities that offer adult education and training grants. There are hundreds, and we cannot list them all here, but here are some examples:
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Again, search engines will throw up more local opportunities if you search smart, but here are some examples:
Smallwood Trust: Time-limited financial assistance and support for women on low income who are struggling to make ends meet or trying to overcome financial problems.
Futures for Women: The Society was founded to encourage women towards economic independence through employment. It offers interest-free loans of around £1,000 towards the cost of training for professional, commercial or technical work. Loans are repaid by monthly installments.
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If you are aiming to build a business after the course, you may be eligible for some small business funds, depending on your situation and how you make a business plan for development.
Entrepreneur Handbook: Grants and loans
Gov.uk: Starting your own business
THE HERBAL REALITY
EMERGENCY GRANT FUND (EGF)
Generously supported by Herbal Reality of Earthsong Foundation
The Emergency Grant Fund (EGF) is available for application by current students on the Betonica Medical Herbalist Training Programme who find themselves with an additional financial need that would otherwise inhibit study. The total of the grant available is £750 per year. Application dates are between 1 September and 31 July.
GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION
The applicant will receive a reply about their application within 7 days.
Students can apply for a maximum £100 per application, and can only receive one grant per academic year. Students must apply for the amount they need and not seek the maximum if it is not necessary.
If a student has been unsuccessful in their application, they can reapply for another grant in the same academic year.
Priority is given to students from a low income background.
You may apply for other grants and bursaries from other sources to support your studies, but you may not apply for the bursary to pay for things already covered by other grants, e.g. using the EGF to pay for books that have already been paid for by another grant or bursary.
Please note, this fund is limited and demand may be high. We fund given on a case-by-case basis, and reserve the right not to grant an application, or to grant only a partial amount.
This fund is provided as an alternative for students who do not receive the Herbal Reality Bursary. Therefore, students in receipt of the Bursary may not apply for the EGF.
Grant awards will be kept confidential.
MONEY SAVING TIPS
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Many second-hand sites can be found online, but excellent sources include:
Scribd digital subscription - some books area available here
Addall - second hand books
AbeBooks - second hand books
Elsevier - periodically sends discounts on sceince books and ebooks
Amazon also sells second hand books. If you prefer not to use Amazon, use the Amazon site to find which companies are selling the second hand book, then visit that company’s website to purchase it directly.
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Panacea herbs has a new practitioners account for Betonica graduates. Once you have registered with your diploma certificate, you will be given a 6-month credit scheme to purchase herbs and pay in installments.
Brixton Wholefoods (not the chain), have a selection of over 350 medicinal herbs. It is self-service and can be purchased in very small quantities, which works out very cheap for herbal exploration. This is an in-person service only. They are not online, nor can they be ordered by post. If you visit London, it is very worth a visit. Not open on Sundays or Bank Holidays.