Access to Learning Funds

This is a fund which can help once you have started on a course and then have financial difficulties. It is:

• A fund that is usually paid as a grant that you do not have to repay. Sometimes it is paid as a loan. Your college or university will decide whether to pay you in a lump sum or in instalments.
• Available through the university or college.
• Aimed at full or part-time students with a range of difficulties, particularly lone parents, mature students, those from low income families, homeless and in foyers those with disabilities or who have been in care.
• Up to the college or university to decide whether you are eligible, and also how much you receive, depending on your circumstances.

• If you are under 19 and in full time education, which will take you up to and including A’ level or equivalent, then your family can carry on claiming any child benefits or child dependency additions that they are already eligible for. Your local Benefits Agency can confirm this for you.
• If you are under 19 at the start of the school or college year, fees will not be charged if you are doing a full-time further education course or an evening class (as long as you are not at a private school or college).
• If you are on benefits yourself, you may be able to keep claiming while you study but you will need to check this with your local Benefits Agency Office.
• Access Funds are available to help students who are, or whose families are, on low income or in particular financial difficulties. Access funds can contribute towards any of the costs associated with your studies, including transport and child care. Access funds are available from Further Education Colleges for their own students (contact your College Access Unit  and from Local Authorities (LA) for young people staying on in sixth form in school (ask at school or contact Student Support Service.
• Learning Support / Discretionary Support Funds If you are having trouble meeting the costs of participating in Further Education at your college or sixth form, discretionary Learner Support Funds might be one source of help. See student services or www.direct.gov.uk
• Local Authority Awards are operated by some LAs to provide financial help to young people over 16 in schools and in further education, contact your Student Support Service.
• Some schools and colleges run discretionary support funds or have sponsorships and bursaries to offer any of their students who are facing extreme financial difficulties. Contact your school or college to see if such funds are available.
• If you are working or on a Training Programme and go to college part-time, your employer or your Training Provider may pay for the course.
• Adult Learning Grant If you’re going back to college as a mature student for some full time courses and it is to study for your first full Level 2 or first full qualification, the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) could pay you up to £30 per week. See student support services or www.directgov.uk
• If you live alone and have fallen out with your parents, or you do not have any parents, you may be able to get Income Support for some courses (See page 86).Check this with the Benefits Agency Welfare Rights Agency or CAB.
• Students over 18 can apply for a Professional and Career Development Loan. This is the same as a ordinary bank loan only you won’t have to pay it back until you have finished your training. You can apply for one if your course is classed as vocational training or education and lasts for two years, or possibly three, if that includes one year practical experience. You can get an information pack about these loans from your Job Centre Plus by calling free on 0800 100 900.
• If you have special needs, contact: Skill, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities on 0800 328 5050 www.skill.org.uk for information on funds for studying. Tues 11.30am-1.30pm, Thurs 1.30-3.30pm
• If you can’t getting funding elsewhere, it’s sometimes possible to get help from education trusts and charities. Look at a copy of the Education Grants Directory, Charities Digest, Grants Register and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts - usually available at the library, school, college or Connexions Centre.