Financing your studies

Did you know?

If you’re aged 16-18 and your household income is less than £30,810 a year, you could be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance. 

EMA is available to any eligible student who is enrolled on a full-time further education course, such as AS/A2, BTEC, GNVQ, full-time NVQ and other vocational qualifications.

EMA could mean up to £30 a week paid straight into your bank account, with bonuses amounting to £400 over a two year course if you show good progress. To find out more, call the National EMA Helpline on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.dfes.gov.uk/ema

Adult Learner Grant

There are also many ways the College can support mature students.

If you’re an adult learner, financial support will be available in the form of the Adult Learner Grant (providing you are not in receipt of an out of work benefit, for example, Job Seekers Allowance). To be eligible, you would need to be enrolling on your first full-time Level 2 or Level 3 qualification.

To find out more, call the National ALG Helpline on 0800 121 8989

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

The Discretionary Learner Support Fund (dLSF) is Government money (public funds) which is intended to provide support to students aged 16 and above, who are experiencing exceptional financial difficulty with meeting costs associated with learning, such as textbooks and equipment.

Students must exercise their entitlement to other forms of financial support before eligibility for Discretionary Learner Support Funding (dLSF) will be considered by the College.

As well as the financial support detailed above, other forms include:

Travel assistance

For full-time students aged 16-18 only.

If you are under 19 on 1 September 2009, attending your nearest college and live more than three miles away, you may be eligible for travel assistance from your Local Authority (LA) in the form of a bus or rail pass at a reduced price. You should apply as early as possible and not wait until you have gained a place on your course; any delay could result in your pass arriving after term has started. An application form can be obtained from your school or LA.

For more information please contact:

Medway Council	01634 333333	www.medway.gov.uk
Kent County Council (East Kent)	01303 224332	www.kent.gov.uk
Kent County Council (Mid Kent)	01303 224325	www.kent.gov.uk