Further Education courses include A levels, NVQ level 3, City and Guilds and BTEC Nationals.
If you are aged between 16 and 18 and study at a publically funded school or college, you do not have to pay tuition fees if : you meet the residency requirements; you are studying on a course eligible for Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Funding. If you claim a benefit, or rely on somebody who claims a benefit, you may get your fees paid in full or part. You need to check this with colleges first though, as they may have other rules such as only getting your fees paid if you are studying on a course with a qualification. Under the Level 2 Entitlement (L2E), you may get your fees paid to study for your first level 2 qualification and in some cases a level 3 course. Many life skills courses, such as reading, writing and maths are free. Financial help may also be available for under 19s on an Entry to Employment (e2e) course or on a course that leads to an apprenticeship.
Learner Support Funds
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Help if you’re studying away from
home
Help with childcare costs
Dance and Drama Awards
Adult Learner Grant
Disabled Students in FE
The Learner Support Fund (LSF), helps the most disadvantaged students who may find it hard to make ends meet when at college. It can be used for the cost of books, equipment, transport, accommodation, childcare and other course related costs. You can get further information from your College's Student Support department.
The Educational Maintenance Allowance encourages young people aged 16 to 18 from lower income families to stay in education after leaving school; it is means tested and depends upon parental income. You can be on any further education course, up to level 3 (A level or equivalent); courses need to include 12 hours of guided learning. You can receive up to £30 a week plus bonuses for staying on your course and progressing well.
Help if you’re studying
away from home
Extra help with your costs could be available if you
want to attend:
- one of the 51 Specialist Residential Colleges or Centres,
which mainly offer courses in agriculture, horticulture
and art and design
- specialist courses beyond daily travelling distance
through a national Residential Pilot Scheme - this only
applies where there is no course available locally
- If you're on an Apprenticeship and you've been asked
to work or study away from home, your employer or college
may be able to help with any extra costs.
If you are under 19 with children, you may be able to get help with childcare when on a further education course - see Care to Learn for more information. If you are a lone parent whose youngest child is under16, and are not working or working under16 hours a week, you may get help under the New Deal for Lone Parents. How much Child Tax Credit you qualify for , depends on your circumstances and income, you can claim it regardless whether you are working or not. Educational Trusts and Charities may help with childcare costs and if you are over 18, a Career Development Loan may be used to pay for childcare.
Dance and Drama Awards
Dance and Drama Awards are national scholarships for
the most talented dance and drama students. They are
available at some of England's leading private performing
arts institutions. The award is based on your performance
at an audition.
If you do not have college level qualifications and want to study on a fulltime F.E. course, you could receive up to £30 per week from the Adult Learning Grant, this can be used for books, equipment or travel costs. You may qualify for ALG if you are living in England and intend to study in England ; you do not have a qualification at level 3 or higher and you are aged 19 or over.
Disabled Students in F.E.
Colleges receive money to pay for additional support for students with disabilities and can use these funds to provide resources such as additional teaching, interpreters etc., Universities offering F.E. courses will also provide this help. However, students with disabilities on F.E. courses are not eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance, this is only for Higher Education courses. You can apply for all the usual help - Education Maintenance Allowance and discretionary L.E.A. awards and also to Educational Trusts and Charities. If you need help with English or Maths, you may be able to learn in your own home if you are unable to attend classes.
If your local college does not provide the help you need then the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) may consider funding a place at a specialist college. Residential Training Colleges offer vocational training for those with disabilities and there are also many distance learning providers, enabling you to study in your own home.
The New Deal for Disabled People offers high quality training and a chance to show that you can do a job well; and the Workstep scheme provides support for those with more complex barriers to employment. If you have a job then Access to Work under the New Deal can help with support including workplace alterations. |
FE
(Further Education)