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If you're under 20, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare costs while you learn.
Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment to anyone bringing up a child or young person.
Money to help you study at college or school or go into work based learning as a trainee
If you are having trouble meeting the costs of participating in further education at your college or sixth form, discretionary Learner Support Funds might be one source of help
The Snowdon Award Scheme is a charity that provides grants to students with physical disabilities
This site provides services and information for those in England who are interested in financial support for students in Higher Education.
Continuing in learning is important if you are to make the most of your skills and abilities, and there’s financial support to help you.
Further education
Child Benefit - Your parents or carers can continue to claim child benefit for you too, if you are under 19 (in some cases under 20) and on an ‘approved’ further education course at school or a college.
EMA - If your household income is under £30,810 a year before tax you’ll be able to apply for an EMA and this could give you up to £30.00 per week while you are on your course, paid into your bank account.
Care to Learn - If you’re under 20 and have a child you can apply for Care to Learn, it will help pay for your childcare and travel costs linked to your childcare arrangements whilst you are at college or in work based learning.
If you are over 17 and have a physical disability you may be eligible for a grant from the Snowdon Award Scheme. You can apply on line and the closing date is 31 May each year.
If you are finding it difficult to manage financially Learner Support funding is sometimes available from colleges or sixth forms to help with learning costs. It’s targeted at those who face the most financial hardship. You could ask your college tutor or student support officer if you might qualify.
Higher Education
If you’re going into higher education there’s financial help available, and you don’t have to pay anything back until you’ve finished your course and are earning.
The costs:
You’ll have to pay for your tuition and your accommodation and day-to-day living expenses. Tuition fees – currently universities can charge up to £3070 per year tuition fees, going up to £3145 in 2008/2009.
The support:
Student Loan for Fees (Tuition fee loan) – you can apply for a loan to cover the costs of your tuition fees, the money will be paid direct to the university. You’ll have to repay this when you graduate and are earning over £15000 a year at the rate of 9% of your salary.
Student Loan for Maintenance (Living Cost Loan) – you can get a loan to help cover your living costs such as paying for books, accommodation and food. It’ll be paid into your bank account in three installments. How much you’ll get will depend on your household income and where you go to university.
Grants for Living Costs – if you come from a low income family you might qualify for a Non-repayable grant of £2765 per year. If you have a disability or a child to care for you might qualify for an additional grant.
Bursaries and Scholarships – if you receive the full maintenance grant your university or college will be able to give you additional financial help. There is more information on bursaries on Bursary Map.
Studentfinance has more detailed information and advice on funding.
You can use the library in your Connexions Centre too as it has information for you to read or take away. Visit Weblinx for more useful websites.