Money Matters

You may know that in some circumstances you can receive financial support for going to college… and in many cases it may cost you nothing at all. Just take a few moments to read the information below to see what opportunities are available to help you to learn within your budget.

You will not pay tuition or exam fees if:

1. you are aged 16-18 (under 19 on 31 August 2009)

2. you are over 19 on 31 August 2009 and you are in receipt of income-based benefits at the start of your course. Income based benefits include:
• Job Seekers allowance
• Working Tax Credit (if household income is under £15,050)
• Income Support
• Council Tax Benefit (not single occupier)
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Unwaged dependants of the above and on Jobseekers Allowance

3. you are looking to study your first full Level 2 qualification

4. you are 19-25 years old and looking to study your first full Level 3 qualification

Student Travel Pass for 16-17 year olds
If you are in full-time education aged 16-17 when you enrol and you live in South Yorkshire, you may be entitled to concessionary student travel. Application forms are available from your school, your local Travel South Yorkshire Centre or our Student Services team. The Barnsley College Student Services team can help students to achieve and be successful in many ways. We can help you too – why not give us a call or simply pop in to see us?

There are many types of financial support available including:

Education Maintenance Allowance
EMA is a weekly payment of up to £30 during term time to learners aged 16-18 years old and whose family income is below £30,810 a year (rates for 2008/2009). Learners must be studying a full-time course (minimum 12 hours per week) and payment is subject to good attendance. Bonus payments may also be available subject to progression and achievement.

For further information and an application pack please contact the EMA Helpline on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/ema

Adult Learning Grant
This is available to learners on full-time courses (minimum 12 hours per week), aged 19 or over and studying for their first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification.  The allowance is means-tested and students must not be receiving support from other government grants/training allowances, e.g. Income Support.  You may receive up to £30 per week during term time, subject to good attendance.  For further information and an application pack please contact the ALG – Learner Support Service on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.direct.gov.uk

Learner Support Fund
This fund helps to support learners with the cost of studying, e.g. books, equipment, kits etc. and childcare costs. Please note childcare funds are only available to learners aged 20 and over. To be eligible, learners must be enrolled and attending an LSC funded programme. All applications are means-tested based on household income and on a first come, first served basis. Funding is limited, however, and the College cannot guarantee to support every application it receives.  Learners need to apply as early as possible. For further information and an application pack, please contact Student Services on 01226 216 267.

Care to Learn
If you are under the age of 20, Care to Learn offers financial support towards the cost of childcare and associated travel costs while you are following any form of publicly-funded learning. Learners must be caring for their own child(ren), living in England and using a registered childcare provider.  For further information and an application pack, contact the Care to Learn Helpline on 0845 600 2809. Further Information is also available if you visit www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn

Career Development Loans (CDLs)
Career Development Loans are commercial bank loans that may be available to students aged 18 or over who are studying a vocational (work related) course. CDLs from £300 to £8,000 are available. For further information and an application pack please contact the CDL Helpline on 0800 585 505 or visit  www.direct.gov.uk