Connexions Tameside

Continuing in learning is important if you are to make the most of your skills and abilities, and to do that you’ll need to know about available financial support.

Further Education

Child Benefit - Your parents or carers can continue to claim child benefit for you too, if you are under 19 (in some cases under 20) and on an ‘approved’ further education course at school or a college.

Bursaries - bursaries will be introduced in September 2011. They will be targeted on individual young people who face a real financial barrier to participation.  The funds will be administered by schools, colleges and training providers. Speak to the Student Support Officer in your school or college for more information.

Care to Learn - If you’re under 20 and have a child you can apply for Care to Learn, it will help pay for your childcare and travel costs linked to your childcare arrangements whilst you are at college or in work based learning.

If you are over 17 and have a physical disability you may be eligible for a grant from the Snowdon Award Scheme. You can apply on line and the closing date is 31 May each year.

The Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is available for learners from the age of 19 onwards. To find out if you are eligible, visit ALG or call 0800 121 8989.

Higher Education

If you’re going into higher education there’s financial help available, and you don’t have to pay anything back until you’ve finished your course and are earning.

The costs:

You’ll have to pay for your tuition and your accommodation and day-to-day living expenses.

The support:

• Student Loans and grants from the government    
• Bursaries from your university or college; there is more information on bursaries on Direct.gov.

Studentfinance has more detailed information and advice on funding.

You can use the library in your Connexions Centre too as it has information for you to read or take away. Go to Weblinx for more useful web sites.