Financial Advice
Education Maintenance Allowance
Do you want to continue in learning after 16 but are worried about money?
Click here to find out more about the EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance)
Adult Learning Grant
Are you studying a Level 2 or 3 course, aged 19+ and not in receipt of benefit?
Click here to find out more about ALG (Adult Learning Grant)
Care to Learn
Care to Learn is a government scheme for students who are 16-18 year old parents. Students can be enrolled on any full or part-time course. The funding is designed to help with the cost of registered childcare and travel expenses.
For more information on Care to Learn, call 0845 600 2809 or click here.
Alternatively, ask the Children Centre staff at your College centre for advice and help with the forms.
Free Childcare for Training and Learning to Work
Free Childcare for Training and Learning to Work is a scheme for low income families with children, where one parent is working and the other parent (aged 20 or over), is out of work and looking to participate in learning that will lead to work. The scheme will provide up to £215 to help pay for childcare and related transport costs.
For more information on Free Childcare for Training and Learning to Work call 08001218989
Loans
Student Loan
Student Loans are only available to students enrolled on Higher Education courses e.g. HNC, HND and Undergraduate Degree courses.
Application Process
For more information, and an application pack, please contact Student Finance England on 08453005090 or www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.
You must have lived in the UK or EEA for 3 years prior to the start of your course to apply for a Student Loan or Grant.
Professional and Career Development Loan
Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year's relevant unpaid practical work). The Young People's Learning Agency will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards. The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries.
Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated.
For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900. Our learning provider registration number is 2583.
Financial Support from the College
Learner Support Fund (LSF)
LSF money is paid to students by the College out of its government funding.
- Students must be 16 or older and not receiving an Educational Maintenance Allowance - EMA
- All courses are eligible for LSF funding, including HNC /HND and degree courses, subject to a 12.5 hour a week limit for 16 - 18 year olds, 8 hours a week for over 19 year olds and 4 hours a week for ESOL and Basic Education courses
- LSF is means tested funding, so you must be able to provide proof of income
- It can be awarded towards fees, equipment, books and stationery or travel
- It is paid at least 4 weeks in arrears each term. You need to make sure you can support yourself for at least the first term as the Autumn payment may not come until January
Application Process
Application forms are available from Student Services. You should get a tutor's approval on your application. If you want to apply to the College for LSF support, you should do this as early as possible.
Help with your Fees
If you are on a low income, are not receiving a means tested benefit and have difficulty paying the course fees in full, the College may be able to help you.
Please ask for more information at the time of enrolment.
Help From Charities and Trusts
Educational Grants Advisory Services (EGAS)
EGAS matches individual circumstances - for example, single parents or adult women - with the criteria of various educational charities. These charities can help only a limited number of students, so applications are often refused. Awards are usually up to £200. See website www.family-action.org.uk
Our Counsellors and Welfare Advisors can help you decide if you might be eligible. The process takes at least 2 months.
Welfare Benefits
Child Benefit
For 16 -19 year olds, Child Benefit is paid to your parent / guardian if you are studying 12+ hours a week. It can be continued for limited period if you are attending Connexions / Careers.
Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA)
If you are age 18+, you can study up to and including 16hours a week on a part-time course and still get JSA. However, you must still show that you are "available for and actively seeking work" at all times. You must be prepared to give up the course if the Jobcentre finds you work or you will have your JSA claim cancelled.
You may be asked to go on a New Deal Training programme after 6 months. If you refuse to go on the course your benefit will be stopped. It is advisable to look for part time work and the possibility of Adult Learning Grant.
Income Support (IS)
Some students may claim IS and still study full or part-time. For example, if you are a lone parent/carer, are ill and unfit to work, please ask the Student Counsellor or Welfare Adviser for more information.
For up to date and indepth advise contact your local Housing Benefit office, the Citizens Advice Bureau or a Student Counsellor or Advisor for help with this.
Tax Credits
Child Tax Credit
You may be eligible for Child Tax Credit if you have one or more children and have annual household earnings of under £58,000 per year. The amount is dependent on your income and it is paid weekly, or every four weeks, into a bank or post office account. It is important that you inform the tax office if there are changes in your situation during the tax year.
Working Tax Credit
If you are working on a low income you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit. Entitlement and subsequent payments depend on the number of hours you work each week, your income and your circumstances. Payments may also be made to cover registered or approved childcare costs.
For more information on Tax Credits and to check how much you would be entitled to claim, click here.
Applications can be made online.
Eligibility
For more information on your eligibility for funding, please contact Student Services or Counselling and welfare Advice.
In brief, to qualify for most grants and loans, you should be a UK National or Settled in the UK:
- A UK passport holder
- Settled means being resident in the UK without any restriction (Visa or Time-Limited Leave to Remain) on your length of stay, indicated by one of these passport stamps/stickers:
- Indefinite Leave to Enter / Remain (ILE/R)
- Indefinite Residence Permit
- Right of Abode in the UK
- Humanitarian Protection / Exceptional Leave to Remain
and have been living in the UK for 3+ years as a permanent resident with that status or EU nationality
EU Nationals can apply to get tuition fees paid, subject to residence conditions, but do not qualify for living expenses for higher education (HNC upwards) unless you have been resident in England for 3+ years.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees without Settled Status can apply to the Learner Support Fund for travel bursaries, however funds are awarded from a non-government source and are, therefore, smaller. Unfortunately you are not entitled to EMA.