There is a range of financial help for all learners to help pay for further education courses and related costs.
Education Maintenance Allowance
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) was a grant which was paid weekly to eligible 16-18 year olds in England. It was introduced in 2004 but was abolished in England in 2011, though it continues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Education Maintenance Allowance is means-tested, but students from families earning less than £20,000 a year could receive up to £30 a week (where EMA is still available).
Our article on The Education Maintenance Allowance will give you more information on applying.
Adult Learning Grant
Adult Learning Grants are for students aged over 19, who are studying for a level 2 (for example 5 GCSEs or a level 2 NVQ) or level 3 (for example 2 A levels or a level 3 NVQ) qualification for the first time.
The grants are means-tested but learners could be eligible for up to £30 a week. You and any partner that you live with will be assessed, and to receive the maximum amount you must earn less than £19,000 per year.
To qualify you must be studying at a school, college or institution which has been approved by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Your course must also be full-time and include at least 450 hours of guided learning over the year. This works out at about 12 hours per week and doesn’t include any workplace learning.
To apply you can ask a student adviser at your college for guidance, or call the designated Learndirect advice line (0800 100 900).
Student Funding Eligibility Checker
Identifies which grants, loans, and support schemes a student or family may qualify for based on their circumstances.
Try our Student Funding Eligibility Checker free, here on this site →Living Away from Home
Most students studying for a further education course will attend a college or school close to where they live. It’s not always possible, however, as some specialist courses are only offered by selected education providers.
If you would need to move away to study your chosen course, help may be available to pay for your accommodation and travel costs. The first place to look for help is the college which you want to study at. Many offer scholarships, grants and bursaries to students.
You may also qualify for help under the government’s Residential Support Scheme. Means-tested awards of up to £3,295 (£3,886 in London) are available to spend on accommodation and travel costs. You can download an application form from the GOV.UK site.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Learner Support Funds
If you face financial hardship after you’ve started a further education course, you could receive help through a Learner Support Fund.
Individual colleges and schools administer their own Learner Support Funds so the amounts available and the criteria will vary. In order to apply you’ll need to provide proof of income and outgoings. Learner Support Funds are open to all students.
Dance and Drama
If you plan on being a star and want to study for a selected performing arts course, some financial help could be available in the form of a Dance and Drama Award.
Dance and Drama Awards are offered by 21 private dance and drama colleges. The GOV.UK site provides a full list of the courses and providers available.
The awards are means-tested. You can receive help for some of your fees, although you’ll have to pay something towards them yourself. On top of this you could receive up to £4,602 towards your living costs.
Initially the awards are decided on the strength of auditions and talent. Once you’ve been accepted onto a course, your school or college will send you information about applying for more financial help with accommodation and living costs.
His pay is not brilliant.
He has just funded the first level himself which was managable £ 400 three payments last one paid two weeks ago.
The level 2 starts next week and will cost shy of £900 this has to be paid in three instalments first one to be paid on enrolment.
This will be a struggle ...where is the help for people who don't exist in benefits, where is the incentive for hard workers who have worked since leaving school and want to start to retrain.
hope to hear from soon
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