Financial assistance for students

Students between the ages of 16 and 19 do not have to pay to study a qualification, as they are entitled to free education.

Education Maintenance Allowance

If you are 16, heading for college or school sixth form or staying on in a special school, then you may be eligible.
EMA is weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30, paid during term time, depending on your household income
The money is designed to help with the day to day costs when you stay on at school or college, e.g. travel, books and course equipment.
If your household has an income of £30000 or less, you may be entitled to it.
Also if your course involves at least 12 hours of guided learning per week.
You can apply from your school, connexions personal advisor, or from the school/college you want to go to.

If you get into financial difficulties while studying, or you find yourself facing extra costs in completing your course, then you may be able to get help from your university or college.
These are available through your college and provide help for students on low income who may need extra financial support for their course and to stay in higher education.
These funds are for full-time and part-time students (studying at least half of an equivalent full-time course - your college will be able to tell you if your course qualifies). Students will be assessed according to individual needs.

Student loans only have to be repaid once you have completed or left your course. The repayment rate is directly linked to your income so that you can afford your monthly repayments.
If your income is below the limit, you do not have to make any repayments.
The maximum amount available outside London is £4195.
The rate of interest applies from the date you take out the loan until the date you pay it off.

Access Funds are run by colleges and education providers and are intended to help students of all ages, to meet many of the costs of studying, such as course fees, books and equipment.
The only thing they're not meant to cover is living expenses.
Different colleges have different systems but most allocate the Fund on the basis of need.
Students in the greatest financial difficulty will receive the most help.
To apply for help from an Access Fund you will need to be already enrolled on a course.
To claim, you need to ask your Student Awards or Welfare Officer at your college.

This is available to students experiencing major financial problems.
Ensure you talk to your awards of welfare officer in good time.
If there isn't a Hardship Fund there may be other bursaries, so ask the officer what's on offer.
These funds can be used to help you pay for course and examination fees and covered associated costs.

Some national and local organizations, including charities, can sometimes offer grants to students on particular courses.

You should contact your college to find out if you are eligible to apply for a bursary which in some cases can cover 100% of your fees (depending on various factors such as level of course).
NVQ students may be eligible for a bursary if you work in the borough for duration of the course (in any early years setting). However, if a candidate withdraws from the course, the bursary must be paid back.
You will be interviewed by the college at Advice & Admissions sessions (details in college prospectus) to check the appropriate level for the candidate and that the candidate meets the entry requirements for the course.
You may have to pay a percentage of the course fees on enrolment. the bursary is allocated to the college and the remaining balance is paid for by the student.

If an employer encourages a candidate to study, the candidate should be aware:

If an employer pays the costs - there will be no bursary
If an employer pays a contribution - they may get a bursary
If the employer cannot pay - they will be eligible for bursary if they fit the criteria above