How can I afford Further Education?
Whether you decide to stay on in full-time education or learn through work, there is financial help available if you need it. The type of help you can receive and how much money you’re entitled to will depend on things like your age and personal circumstances.
Listed below are some of the main types of financial support that will be available to you. Remember that if you are in work-based learning, you will probably be receiving a wage or training allowance from your employer and they may contribute to the cost of your education.
Students aged under 19
Below are some of the main types of financial help that are available to you if you are aged under 19 and in further education but for much more detailed information go to: www.direct.gov.uk/moneytolearn
Education Maintenance Allowance
More info: www.direct.gov.uk/ema
As an incentive for you to stay in education, the government provides an allowance of up to £30 per week to help you get further education qualifications. Plus, if you stick with your course and do well you will receive cash bonuses. To qualify you need to be aged between 16 and 18, have left or are about to leave compulsory education, and have a household income of less than £30,180 per year.
Help with transport costs
More info http://moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk/transportcosts
If you travel by public transport to and from your course, you may be able to get help with the cost from your local authority. On the DirectGov website you can find out exactly what help is available from the local authority in your area. If you are on an Entry to Employment programme or on a course that leads to an Apprenticeship, you should speak to your learning provider to find out whether they can offer you any help with your transport costs.
Help if you are studying away from home
More info http://moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk/residentialbursary
You could be entitled to extra help with your costs if you want to attend:
• one of the 51 Specialist Residential Colleges or Centres, which mainly offer courses in agriculture, horticulture and art and design
• specialist courses beyond a daily travelling distance through a national Residential Pilot Scheme – this only applies where there is no course available locally
If you are on an Apprenticeship and have been asked to work or study away from home, your employer, college or training provider may be able to help with any extra costs.
Students aged 19 and over
Below are some of the common types of financial support you can get while in further education but for much more detailed information go to:
www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/moneytolearn
www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning
Adult Learning Grants
More info www.adultlearninggrant.com
An Adult Learning Grant is an allowance of up to £30 per week to adults in England
studying full-time for a first full level 2 or level 3 qualification. You must be aged 19
or over to qualify and the amount you get depends on your household income. This
is a new grant but it should be fully available by September 2007.
Career Development Loans (CDL)
More info: www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/CareerDevelopmentLoans
Career Development Loans can be used to pay for all sorts of vocational learning whether it is a full-time, part-time, or distance learning course. A CDL is a deferred repayment bank loan that allows you to borrow between £300 and £8,000 and can help you fund up to two years of learning or up to three years if your course includes one year of work experience.
CDLs are available through an arrangement between the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and three high street banks – Barclays, The Co-operative Bank and The Royal Bank of Scotland. The LSC pays the interest on your loan while you’re learning and for up to one month after you’ve stopped training. You then repay the loan to the bank over an agreed period at a fixed interest rate. You must be aged 18 or over and it is important to seriously consider the consequences of taking out a CDL.
Remember, you are still obliged to repay the debt even if you do not finish your course. It is a good idea to speak to a professional before taking out a CDL. You can call the CDL information line on 0800 585 505.
Childcare Support
Care to Learn Scheme
If you are aged under 20 and have children, you could get help with childcare costs through the Care to Learn Scheme. You can apply if you are in school sixth form, college, or on a work-based learning programme.
Childcare Support Fund
More info www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn
Some education providers offer free or subsidised childcare places at their own nurseries to single parents and parents on benefits or low incomes. Alternatively, if they don’t have their own childcare facilities, they can use the Childcare Support Fund to help you pay for another registered childcare provider. You can apply if your children are aged under 15. You should contact your education provider or learndirect on 0800 100 900 to find out about childcare funding. If you are aged over 19, the Learners Support Fund can also be used for childcare costs.
Other support
Learner Support Fund
more info: www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/features/news/learnersupportfund/
The Learner Support Fund can be used to help students aged 16 and over with the costs they may have when in further education. It is for those in greatest need and you can apply for it by contacting the Student Support Officer at your college, school sixth form or local authority. The types of things you can use the Learner Support Fund for are books and equipment, extra costs like visits or field trips, learning or personal costs, and childcare costs for those aged over 19.
Grants and bursaries
Some national and local organisations, including charities, can sometimes offer grants to students on particular courses. You should be able to get hold of a list of trusts at your local library or your college may be able to give you details. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) provides information and advice on sources of funding through their directory, helpline and website. You can use the EGAS online search facility at www.egas-online.org.uk/fwa/trustsearch.htm or phone EGAS on 0207 249 6636.
City and Guilds bursaries
more info: www.cityandguilds.com
City and Guilds offer a small number of bursaries each year to people who would like to study for a City and Guilds qualification. The bursaries can be used for costs like course fees, learning materials, childcare or travel. Applications are considered in June and December each year.
Dance and Drama Awards
more info: www.direct.gov.uk/danceanddrama
Dance and Drama Awards are for students who want to work in the performing arts. These are national scholarships in dance, drama and stage management and are available in certain courses at National Certificate and National Diploma level. They are awarded based on an audition and interview. If you receive one of these awards, you will not be entitled to the EMA.
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