Money to Learn

If you are: aged 19 or over; living in England; thinking about improving your skills or getting a qualification; wanting to know what financial help is out there. This booklet is for you!

Whatever your situation, if you’re an adult thinking about any type of learning, this booklet aims to tell you everything you need to know about how to get financial support while you’re studying.

2. What do I need to pay for?

If you’re thinking about starting a course, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and to be aware of the costs in advance. You’ll have to pay for some things before you start. Other costs will crop up while you’re on your course.

Here’s a quick checklist to help you focus on the costs you’ll have to meet. Tick the ones that apply to you.  

1) The course itself e.g. tuition fees, examination and registration fees

2) Books, materials and equipment

3) Transport to and from your place of learning

4) Childcare if you have young children

5) Fees for membership of a professional body

6) One-off costs, such as residential courses

Don’t be put off if you’ve ticked every box!

There’s plenty of help available to make learning affordable and it will often cover the associated costs (books, transport, childcare) as well as some of the more obvious ones.

And don’t panic about your benefits position. Your local Benefits Agency office will be able to tell you exactly where you stand but as a rule, any money you receive to help cover course fees, transport, books and equipment won’t affect your entitlement.

4. Studying while not working

If you’re not working, there’s a range of financial help on offer. Most of it is available for both full- and part-time courses. Don’t forget to find out about local grants and bursaries too - some colleges have special funds that aren’t part of any national scheme so it’s always worth telling college awards officers or local training providers about your particular circumstances.

Here’s an outline of what’s available and what’s covered.

• Childcare Support Fund

What is it? Help with the cost of looking after your children while you’re studying
Ask: The student awards or welfare officer at your college

• The Fund is run by further education colleges and some other education providers. It means they can offer free or subsidised childcare places at their own nurseries to lone parents or students on benefit or low incomes. Alternatively, they can help you pay for any other registered childcare provider, including nurseries, creches, childminders and after-school clubs. You can apply if your children are under 15 (16 if they have a disability). You may need to look into the availability of childcare funds before enrolling on a course, although sometimes you can’t actually apply for funding until after you’ve signed up. The Fund is also available to refugees.
• Access Fund

What is it? Help with additional costs such as transport, fees and books
Ask: The student awards or welfare officer at your college

• Access Funds are run by colleges and education providers and are intended to help students of all ages, including refugees, to meet many of the costs of studying, such as course fees, books and equipment. The only thing they’re not meant to cover is living expenses. So you may be able to get help with your course and exam fees, buying books and equipment and getting to and from your place of study.
• Different colleges have different systems but most allocate the Fund on the basis of need. Students in the greatest financial difficulty will receive the most help. To apply for help from an Access Fund you will need to be already enrolled on a course.
• Hardship Fund

What is it? Help for students facing serious financial difficulties
Ask: The student awards or welfare officer at your college

• Some colleges run their own Hardship Fund which is available to students experiencing major financial problems. If you’re in difficulty - or know you’re likely to hit problems at some point during your course - make sure you talk to your awards or welfare officer in good time. If there isn’t a Hardship Fund there may be other bursaries, so ask the officer what’s on offer. These Funds can be used to help you pay for course and examination fees and cover associated costs.
• Grants and bursaries

What is it? One-off payments available to students studying particular subjects
Ask: Your college or training provider or get hold of one of the publications listed below

• Some national and local organisations, including charities, can sometimes offer grants to students on particular courses. For example, Dance and Drama Awards are offered by 29 private dance and drama schools in England. You should be able to get hold of a list of trusts at your local library or your college may be able to give you details. You could also approach the Educational Grants Advisory Service on 0207 249 6636 (Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 10-12am and 2-4pm) - or try and get hold of one the following publications which may provide further ideas:
  
  • The Educational Grants Directory (published by the Directory of Social Change)
  • The Charities Digest (Waterlow Information Services)
  • The Grants Register (Macmillan Press)
  • The Directory of Grant Making Trusts (Charities Aid Foundation).
• Career Development Loan

What is it? A deferred repayment commercial bank loan designed to help pay for vocational education or learning. The Department for Education and Skills operates the programme in partnership with four high street banks: Barclays, The Co-Op, Clydesdale and The Royal Bank of Scotland
Ask: Your college, learning provider or one of the participating banks. You can also call 0800 585 505 or visit the website at www.lifelonglearning.dfes.gov.uk/cdl/

• CDLs can cover up to 80% of your course fees or 100% if you have been out of work for more than three months. However, living expenses can only be claimed if your course is full-time. It is important to apply for your loan in good time as the bank may need a few weeks to reach a decision about your application.
• The main benefit of the CDL programme is that you don’t have to worry about repaying your loan while you’re learning. The Department for Education and Skills pays the interest on your loan for the period of supported learning and for up to one month after. You then repay your loan to the bank as detailed in your credit agreement.
• If you’re claiming state benefits or want to do so while you’re studying it’s important that you talk to the office that pays you before you apply for a CDL. A CDL may affect your benefit entitlement, so you may need it to cover living expenses too.
• Work-based learning for adults

What is it? A programme that includes work placements and employability training
Ask: At your local Jobcentre

• If you’re 25 or over this programme could be just what you’ve been waiting for. It’s a work-focused and work-based programme which includes placements with real employers and basic employability training for the most disadvantaged. As part of the programme you’ll also get help with costs such as travel to your place of learning.
• If you’ve been unemployed for six months or more you can take part in a short period of training which is closely geared to the job you want to do. After 12 months out of work you get even more help, including a place on a longer vocational training course. If you’re interested in working for yourself there’s even help in setting up and running your own business.
• Asylum seekers

If you are an asylum seeker, you can only apply for financial help once your status has been confirmed. When your status has been formally granted, you may be able to get help from college Access Funds and from the Childcare Support Fund. You can also get help from these Funds if you, your husband/wife or your parents have been officially granted refugee status in the UK.

If your first language is not English you may be able to get extra help from the college where you’re studying. Make sure you speak to the student awards or welfare officer before you start your course.

To find out more contact the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766.

9. Printed Version

Copies of the printed version of Money to Learn are available from DfES Publications (please quote ref: MTLC) at the following:

• DfES Publications
  P.O. Box 5050
  Sherwood Park
  Annesley
  Nottingham
  NG15 0DJ
• Tel: 0845 60 222 60
  Fax: 0845 60 333 60
• Minicom: 0845 60 555 60
• E-mail: dfes@prolog.uk.com

Please quote ref: MTLC