Furness Training South Cumbria's Largest Training Provider

There’s a whole world of decisions and options waiting for you after school. If you’re thinking of continuing your education at Furness College, then getting your hands on some much-needed cash is going to be high on your list of priorities.

If you think you may not be able to afford to study, there are a number of ways you may be able to get help.

General advice is given below but the rules can change from year to year. Staff in Student Services will be pleased to discuss your individual circumstances.

EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE (EMA)
If you’re worried about being short of cash if you carry on learning, then think again, because an EMA can help you stay on course for a brighter future.

An EMA is a weekly payment worth up to £30 for students who are aged 16 to 18 and who plan to continue in further education from September 2009.

There are also bonuses of £100 if you remain on your course and make good progress with your learning. Payments are made direct to your bank account.

You can get an EMA if:

• you are 16 years old and have left school,
• your household income is at, or below, a set amount,
• you are on a further education course, such as an NVQ, GNVQ, BTEC First or National Diploma, a Diploma Level 1, 2 or 3, AS/A2, GNVQ or similar, at an FE college, school sixth form or sixth-form college.

Further information can be found on the designated website:
www.ema.dfes.gov.uk

or contact the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989

SCHOOL LEAVERS' TRAVEL PASSES 2010/2011
Who can apply?
Travel passes are issued by Cumbria County Council Local Education Authority to students under the age of 19 on 1 September, who live more than 3 miles (by the most direct route) from the nearest suitable college and are studying at least 17 hours per week.

If you do not live on a designated bus route Cumbria County Council will consider helping you with the cost of train travel.You can use your pass to make one return journey each day you attend college, Monday to Friday, during term time only.

How to apply
You will receive a travel pass application form from Furness College Student Services approximately 6-8 weeks before the start of September term. You should return the completed form to Student Services as soon as possible, to help ensure you receive your pass in time for the start of your course.

If for any reason you have not received your travel pass before the start of term, Furness College Student Services may be able to issue you with a temporary pass. This will expire at October half term.

Once your travel pass is approved, it will be sent direct to your home address by Cumbria County Council.

Lost Passes
If you lose your bus or rail pass you will need to send a letter with a £5 cheque payable to ‘Cumbria County Council’ to:

Client Services & Property Unit
5 Portland Square
Carlisle
CA1 1PE
Tel: 01228 226 044

Further Information
Cumbria County Council Travel Pass information:
http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/childrensservices/educationandlearning/Schools/financialhelp/travel-assist.asp

For bus timetables: www.stagecoachbus.co.uk
Stagecoach Bus Enquiries Tel: 0871 200 22 33

For train timetables: www.nationalrail.co.uk
National Rail Enquiries Tel: 08457 48 49 50

ADULT LEARNING GRANT (ALG)
If you’re aged 19 or over then the Adult Learning Grant could help to ease any money worries, letting you concentrate on your learning. If you qualify, you’ll get up to £30 a week during term time - that’s around £1,000 a year. How much you get depends on your income.

Which courses qualify?

• The course you take must lead to your first full Level 2 or first full Level 3 qualification.
• You must also be studying full-time – at least 12 hours a week (equivalent to 450 hours of ‘guided learning’ a year, or 150 hours a term).
• You must be learning at a further education learning provider approved by the Learning and Skills Council and be attending college regularly.

Further information can be found on the designated website:
www.direct.gov.uk/alg
or contact the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989

LEARNER SUPPORT FUND (LSF)
If you are having trouble meeting the costs of learning, the Learner Support Fund (LSF) may be able to help. You will need to provide details of your household income.

Who can apply for the LSF?

• you must be aged 16 or over
• you must be studying a course of learning funded by the Learning and Skills Council

What will it pay for?

• financial hardship and emergencies 
• childcare costs (for Ofsted-registered childcare) where there is no entitlement to other government initiatives
• accommodation costs, for those who have to study beyond daily travelling distance
• travel costs
• essential course-related equipment, books, materials and field trips
• examination and registration fees

Contact Student Services for further advice and information

HELP WITH CHILDCARE COSTS

CARE TO LEARN (C2L)
If you are a young parent and want to return to, or continue with, your learning C2L can cover the cost of your childcare and transport costs.

You can apply for C2L if you are:

• aged up to (and including) 19 at the start of your learning 
• attending school, 6th form, college of further education and any learning provider delivering courses with some public funding eg. from: the Learning Skills Council, Local Government or the EU
• on Entry to Employment or with a work-based learning provider with non-employed status

Further information can be found on the designated website:
www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn

or contact the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989

FREE CHILDCARE FOR TRAINING & LEARNING FOR WORK (FCTLW)
If you are 20 or over and have one or more children, the Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme could help with the cost of childcare while you learn or train.

You can apply for FCTLW if you are:

• aged 20 and over
• living with a partner who is working but on a low income
• undertaking any learning leading up to, and including, a level 3 qualification

Further information can be found on the designated website:
www.direct.gov.uk/freechildcareforlearning

or contact the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989

BENEFITS
If you are receiving benefits, you may be able to continue claiming while you study but you should check, prior to starting your learning with:
Jobcentre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
or your local Citizens Advice Centre www.adviceguide.org.uk

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
There are different financial arrangements for university education. You can obtain an application pack from March onwards each year for entry to a course in the following September.

Please contact Student Services to find out more:
T: 01229 825017