16-19 bursary fundMoney for 16+ learning

What help could you apply for?

The new 16 - 19 bursary fund

The new 16-19 bursary has funds to help you to stay in education or training if you need financial help to continue with your learning after 16.

There is a bursary of '1,200 guaranteed for young people in most need. Identified eligible groups include young people who are:

in care or have left care
on income support
disabled and in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.

Schools, colleges and training providers will also be able to award bursaries of different amounts to any student who faces genuine financial difficulties which would prevent them staying on in education or training. These bursaries will be of varying amounts, depending on need, to help with costs such as transport, food or equipment.

You will have to apply to your school, college or training provider for a 16-19 bursary. In most cases they decide on the amount you could receive, when it is paid, and what conditions they might attach. Schools, colleges and training providers may:

provide specific items that students need rather than cash for example travel cards or equipment for a course
set conditions that students must meet to receive a bursary for example linked to behaviour or attendance

Where can I find out more about 16-19 Bursaries?

Click here for a printable information table on the 16-19 bursary fund.
The Young People's Learning Agency (ypla) have produced a question and answer document for young people and parents. It covers details on eligibility, applying, background to the new bursary and EMA transition. Click here to view.

You can talk to:

staff in school or college about these funds
your Personal Adviser.

You can also find out more information on: http://moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

The Government closed EMA to new applicants from January 2011.

Under current plans for the 16-19 bursaries - see above - for those currently receiving EMA and continuing their studies during the academic year 2011 - 2012 there will continue to be some help available:

Young people in care, care leavers and those on Income Support who are currently receiving EMA will become eligible in September 2011 for a guaranteed bursary of '1,200 a year in place of their current weekly payments.
All other students who successfully applied for EMA in 2009/10 will continue to receive payments, at the level set out in their EMA Guarantee, for each week they are in education or training until the end of the 2011/12 academic year.
Those students who successfully applied for the maximum EMA payment of '30 a week in 2010/11 will be eligible for '20 for each week they are in eduction or training until the end of the 2011/12 academic year.

Travel Expenses

Worcestershire County Council provides travel assistance in certain circumstances. Find out more and if eligbile apply for assistance with transport costs online:

There is also a Severn card available that can be used to travel to school or college:

You can also call the Worcestershire Hub on 01905 765 765 for more information and/or travel assistance forms.

Course/Tuition Fees

If you're under 19 you don't need to pay for full-time school or college courses, but you may need to buy equipment for some courses (e.g. catering, hairdressing, photography). You may be charged for part-time college courses.

Is there any help if I study away from home?

If you need to study away from home, you might be able to get help through either the:

Residential Bursary or

Residential Support Scheme.

The Residential Bursary is on offer at 51 specialist residential centres mainly offering support for courses in agriculture, art and design, and horticulture. Applications are made directly to the college or centre. To see if your course is covered ask the college you are interested in attending.

The Residential Support Scheme

This scheme offers help with your term-time accommodation costs, if the course you want to study is a specialist course that is not available within a 'reasonable daily travelling distance' from your home and does not offer a Residential Bursary.

You have to be:

over 16
show you need to attend a course that is not on offer locally
be on a course at Advanced level or level 3.

To find out more:

Check out the information on the money to learn website select extra help for more information.

Get in touch with the money to learn helpline on 0800 121 8989

What about if I want to study dance and drama?

There are also some dance and drama awards on offer towards the costs of tuition fees for those aged 16+ who want to work in the performing arts. You need to be 18+ for acting and stage managment courses.

These awards are only available if you take the Trinity College London qualification at one of 22 accredited providers. Courses last 1 -3 years and are at level 3.

To find out more:

Check out the information on the money to learn website select dance and drama awards for more information.

Get in touch with the money to learn helpline on 0800 121 8989

What if you're a young parent?

Care to Learn is a childcare funding scheme for young parents up to age of 20. It provides help with paying childcare and travel costs so that young parents can stay in education or work-based learning.

You are eligible if you are caring for your own child or children and are under 20 on the day your course starts.

You can get more information about Care to Learn by phoning the national learner support helpline on 0800 121 8989 or by visiting the Care to Learn webpages

How about Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit?

Your parents/carers will still get child benefit and child tax credit - if they are eligible - while you are under 19 and in full-time further education, or on a work-based learning programme without a wage. Under certain circumstances child benefit may be paid up to the age of 20.

Child benefit and child tax credit will also continue to be paid to your parents/carers, if they are eligible, for a limited amount of time, if you are 16 or 17 years old and have left school - provided that you have registered for work or training with Connexions. This is to give you the time to find work or training. These benefits stop if you start work or an apprenticeship where you are employed and are paid a wage.

What if I have a disability?

You may be eligible for disability benefits that can help you to continue in learning. Benefits are dependent on your individual circumstances - so do seek help. Good starting points include:

Your Personal Adviser
Skill: the National Bureau for students with Disabilities - on their telephone helpline

0800 328 5050 or check out their website

Apprenticeship rates

There is a new apprenticeship minimum wage rate - this came into effect in October 2010. This guarantees an apprentice a minimum wage of '2.50 per hour ('2.60 per hour from October 2011) and applies to:

Apprentices under 19
Apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship.

Some employers will pay more than the legal minimum rates especially after the first year.

For more information on the National Minimum Wage go online. You can also call the pay and work rights helpline on 0800 917 2368 - for text phones the number is 0800 121 40442.