Money Matters

Adult Learning Grant (ALG)

This grant pays up to £30 per week, subject to financial assessment. The purpose of the ALG is to help full-time learners over the age of 19 with the costs of studying for a first full level 2 or first full level 3 qualification.

 

Learners eligible for ALG include people who receive Child Benefit and 'low pay' benefits such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Tax Credits.

 

Learners who cannot claim ALG include people who receive 'out of work' benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support, or 'inactive benefits' such as Incapacity Benefits, or other Government grants or training allowances through, for example New Deal, Apprenticeships or Train to Gain.

 

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

This is a weekly payment (during term time) of £10, £20 or £30, depending on your household income. It is for youngsters staying on at school or college after GCSEs, to help with day-to-day costs such as travel, books and course equipment.  

 

EMA is paid directly into your bank account (not your parents) during term time for up to three years on any academic or vocational course (up to level 3) that involves at least 16 hours of study per week.

 

An application pack can be ordered on 0808 1016219 or by visiting www.ema.dfes.gov.uk

 

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

The fund is intended to help full and substantive part-time learners of any age whose access to education might be prevented by lack of funds. It is mainly to help with the costs of travel, childcare and essential equipment or uniforms.

 

We encourage anyone who is eligible to apply, but you must have accepted a place on a course before you apply. Applications are assessed individually. If you qualify for EMA you may qualify for support from this fund.

 

Please contact learner services for further information or an application pack.

 

Exemptions from tuition fees

If you are a full time student  aged 16 - 18, on a further education course and resident in the UK or a European Community Country, you are exempt from paying tuition fees.  

If you are 19 and over and receive a means-tested benefit you may be exempt from paying tuition fees. For further information please contact learner services.

 

If you receive any of the benefits listed below, you will not have to pay tuition fees:

 

Type of benefit	Acceptable evidence
Housing benefit	Letter from District Council confirming learner is receiving benefit at time of enrolment
Income support	Letter from DWP confirming learner is receiving benefit at time of enrolment
Unwaged dependent of above Jobseekers Allowance	Utility bill or bank statement as proof of residence plus evidence of claimant's income-based benefit
Working tax credit                                       £15,276.00	Letter from DWP confirming learner is receiving benefit (income- and contribution-based) at time of enrolment Original TC602 Assessment notice of 2008-2009
Pension Guarantee Credit	Original award notification letter from DWP - has to be Guarantee Credit (savings credit does not qualify on its own)
16 -18 year olds	ID proof of age

 

If you cannot claim under any of the benefits listed above, you may be eligible under the following entitlements. These exempt you from the tuition fee but you will still need to pay any exam, registration or material costs.  Please contact the Enrolment Team on 01827 304433 to see if you are eligible.

 

First Full Level 2 Entitlement

Any learner over 19 years old enrolling for the first time on a specific full Level 2 course will be entitled to remission (only available for learner responsive and Train to Gain provision).

 

First Full Level 3 Entitlement

Any learner between 19-25 enrolling for the first time on a full Level 3 course will be entitled to remission (only available for learner responsive funded provision).

 

Please note. If the course you wish to join has SF in the title, the course is self-financing. This means that fee remission is not applicable and you will have to pay full fees regardless of your personal circumstances.