You may be able to claim extra money if you go on to full time study:

Help for all families

• Child Benefit can be payable until you are 20 (this can also apply to certain types of work based learning – see pages 33-34)
• You don't have to pay for tuition until you are 19

Additional help

You (or your family) may be entitled to other allowances / benefits, depending on your circumstances or household income:

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

EMA can be worth £10, £20 or £30 a week (term time) and also pay regular bonuses if you do well. You can claim it if you’re on a full time course or on certain work based learning programmes.

The main conditions are:

• Your household income should be no more than £30,810* a year

• You should be age 16-19
• You must be doing at least 12 hours of 'guided learning' a week at a college, sixth form or, in some cases, a training provider (see pages 33-34)
• You must sign a Learning Agreement with your school, college or training provider

* This figure may change slightly for 2008 - check on www.direct.gov.uk/ema

EMA doesn't affect any other benefits that your family claim and it's paid on top of any money you might earn from a part time job.

You can generally claim EMA for up to two (in some cases three) years.

Details and application forms are sent to schools, colleges and training providers. There is also a website: ema.direct.gov.uk plus a free help line: 0808 10 16 2 19

Learner Support Funds / School Access Scheme

These funds are for young people who need help with some of the costs of a course e.g. books, equipment, visits or field trips. It will depend on your circumstances whether you can claim.

Learner Support Funds are for college students who are in greatest need. For details contact the college’s Student Services / Student Support section.

The School Access Scheme is for students at school sixth forms who are in need. Your sixth form will have details. You can also get information from Student Finance at The Children and Young People’s Directorate at Howden House, Sheffield.

Help with transport costs

If you are age 16-18, live more than 3 miles from school/college and your parents receive Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or NASS assistance, you can get a free travel pass. If you cannot claim free travel you can obtain a Student Travel Pass from the Transport Executive.  For details use the website moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk/transportcosts

You can sometimes get extra help if your course is too far from home for daily travel. For details use moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk or the DCSF bookleton the Further Education Residential Support Programme, available from Connexions Centres.

Help with childcare costs

The Care to Learn Fund can help pay for your childcare if you are under 20, caring for your own child (or children) and at college, sixth form or in certain work based learning

For Further Help

There may sometimes be other funds to support you while you study - see your Personal Adviser or Careers Co-ordinator for more information.

Or see the DCSF booklet ‘Financial Help for Students’, available at your Connexions Centre.

Or contact:

Children and Young People's Services
Howden House
1 Union St
Sheffield S1 2SH
0114 273 5479 (Student Finance)
0114 273 5722 (other enquiries)

Or telephone our free information line on 0800 652 9900
or Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19