Information on Funding for Post-16 Students

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011. Schools, colleges and training providers have funds to help you if you’re studying or starting a full-time course and face financial hardship. For advice speak to the student support services at your college or to your tutor.
 
From September 2011, EMA will be replaced with a new £180m bursary scheme. If you’re aged between 16 and 19 years and face financial hardship while you’re in full-time education you may receive a bursary.
Schools, colleges and training providers will be responsible for awarding bursaries to students. For most bursaries they decide on the amount, when it is paid and whether it’s linked to behaviour or attendance, except for those most in need.

Those most in need, such as those in care, care leavers or those claiming income support will be guaranteed a bursary of £1,200.

EMA arrangements for 2010/11
If you currently receive EMA, you’ll receive weekly EMA payments for the rest of the 2010/11 academic year while you’re studying. To receive your payments you need to meet the standards of behaviour, effort and attendance laid out in your EMA Agreement. This is the agreement you signed when you first applied for EMA

Arrangements in 2011/12
You’ll receive payments while you study in 2011/12 if:

you first applied for EMA in 2009/10 (you’ll receive the same weekly payment)
you first applied for EMA in 2010/11 and you receive the maximum EMA payment of £30 (reduced to £20 a week in 2011/12)
If you’re in care, a care leaver or on income support your weekly EMA payments will be replaced with a guaranteed bursary of £1,200 a year from September 2011.

All other students aged between 16 and 19 who face financial hardship can apply for a bursary through their school, college or training provider.

Learner Support Funds

Learner Support Fund (LSF) is the new name for what use to be called the School Access Fund. Babcock 4S administers this fund on behalf of the Learning Skills Council. The grant helps students with their learning and living costs. It is also to help young people stay on in education.

Who is eligible?
Students aged between 16-19 years
Anyone who attends a sixth form in a school
Anyone who does not receive an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and whose family has a gross annual income is less than £17,000
Anyone who receives an EMA and is still in financial hardship
 
Students living in Waltham Forest studying at a sixth form college or a college of further education should contact their college for advice. Each college receives their own money from the Learner Support Fund and has its own policy for administering it.

Contact us
For more information on Learner Support Funds please contact us at:
Babcock 4S
Graylaw House
394 High Road
Leyton, E10 6QE

Tel: 0845 877 0031
Fax: 020 8532 8537

Financial Support for Higher Education Students.
Students in higher education are eligible for a student loan and in some cases, depending on individual income and circumstances, may be eligible for additional grants and allowances.

As from 14th February 2011, all applications for student support will be processed by Student Finance England. For enquiries and information please contact them on 0845 300 50 90.