Education Maintenance Allowance
Help if you're studying away from home
Care to Learn
Discretionary Support Funds
Dance and Drama Awards
HE finance

If you decide to stay in full-time education, you can get financial help with the cost of your studies. This could help with transport and childcare costs. The type of help you can receive - and how much money you're entitled to - will depend on your personal circumstances. The information below is offered as a guide only - please see a Personal Adviser who will be able to help you further.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Basically, EMA is cash in your hands to help you carry on learning. If you’re 16, 17 or 18 and have left, or are about to leave, compulsory education, then it could be for you. EMA spells fewer money worries with up to £30 a week during term time – leaving you to get on with your studies.

The amount you get will depend on your household income. You can apply for EMA if you are:

• in full-time education at sixth form or college, for example studying AS or A levels
• taking part in an e2e programme
• on a 'Programme Led Apprenticeship' - this is a programme designed to lead you towards an 'Employer Led Apprenticeship' where you will work for an employer.

EMA is paid on top of any other financial help the Government gives you, so it won't affect any household benefits that you or your family may be claiming (like Income Support, Child Benefit, or Working Tax Credit).

Pick up an application form at your school or local Connexions centre, or phone the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989. To find out more, go to Directgov/EMA.

Help if you're studying away from home

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 to you locally.

For more information and details of how to apply, go to Directgov/Awayfromhome.

Care to Learn - childcare while you learn

If you're a young parent and under 20 years of age, the Care to Learn scheme can help pay for your childcare and travel costs while you’re learning.

You can apply whether you're in sixth form, college, or on a work-based learning programme. Wherever you learn, you can be confident that your child is being safely looked after.

To find out if you qualify, or to help you apply, you can either phone the Care to Learn helpline on 0800 121 8989 or contact your Personal Adviser.

Find out more at Directgov/Caretolearn.

Discretionary Support Funds

Discretionary Support Funds are available in sixth forms and colleges to help with learning costs. The funds are prioritised for those who face financial hardship. They can be used to help with:

• financial hardship and emergencies
• childcare costs (for Ofsted-registered childcare)
• accommodation costs, for those who have to study beyond daily travelling distance
• travel costs
• essential course-related equipment, materials and field trips

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• be 16 or over (including those in sixth forms)
• have been accepted onto and be studying a programme of learning funded by the Learning and Skills Council

Colleges and schools would normally give priority to students who are economically disadvantaged (such as those on benefit or a low income), those aged over 19 who don't have a Level 2 qualification, those leaving care or on probation, probationers, young parents, and others considered 'at risk'. They will also take into account whether there are alternative sources of help available.

For more information, go to Directgov/Discretionarysupportfunds

Dance and Drama Awards

Dance and Drama Awards are national scholarships for the most talented dance and drama students. They are available at some of England's leading private performing arts institutions. The awards are offered to the students who demonstrate the most potential to succeed in the profession.

The award will pay for the majority of your tuition fees, but you'll also be expected to make a contribution. You could also get extra money to help with your living costs.

For more information, go to Directgov/dance.

Higher education finance

Cost is a concern for most potential HE students - the good news is there's probably more help than you think. The important part is knowing what's available, what you're entitled to and whether or not you'll have to pay it back.

As a general rule, grants and bursaries don't have to be paid back, but loans do - so check what you're applying for, so you know what you'll owe when you leave higher education.

If you're studying full-time, the main sources of help are student loans and grants from the Government, and bursaries from your university or college.

Student loans
All eligible students can get help with tuition fees and living costs through student loans. You'll be able to take out two loans per academic year - one for tuition fees and one for maintenance to help with accommodation and other living costs. Student loans have to be paid back, but you don't have to start making repayments until you've left your course and are earning over £15,000 per annum.
Grants to help with living costs: Maintenance Grant and Special Support Grant
Around a third of new students are expected to qualify for the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant, and around a further third for a partial grant.

Bursaries
Bursaries are extra sources of help from your university or college. Institutions in England will offer at least a minimum bursary payment if you’re getting the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. Grants and bursaries don’t have to be repaid.

For more information about financial support for full-time and part-time students, go to Directgov/HEfinance

Source: Directgov (August 2009)