Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

EMAs are weekly payment worth up to £30 for students who are aged 16 to 18 and planning to continue in further education. There are also bonuses of £100 if you remain on your course and make good progress with your learning. You may get an EMA if:

• You are aged 16 to 18;
• Your household income is £30,000 or below;
• You are on a full-time Further Education course (e.g. at College or Sixth Form).

Where can I get further information?

You can request an application pack by calling 0808 1016219

You can contact the EMA College team by calling 024 7624 3339

Or call into Student Services at the Nuneaton or Hinckley campuses and chat to one of our friendly advisers.

Learner Support Fund

The Learner Support Fund is a sum of money given to colleges from the Learning & Skills Council to help students towards the costs incurred as a result of studying. The fund aims to remove the financial obstacles faced.

Students are invited to apply for the Learner Support Funds if they:

• Are aged 16 or over and;
• Are on a further education course and;
• Have been resident in the UK for at least three years and;
• Are in receipt of, or dependent upon, a means tested benefit such as Income Support, housing benefit, council tax benefit and pension tax credit.

Students who are in receipt of Family Tax Credit may be eligible for some help - please ask in Student Services for more details.

Students who are claiming Job Seekers Allowance may also be eligible for some help. There may be a small amount of money available for some Higher Education programmes too.

Help may be available for:

• Tuition fees;
• Essential equipment and materials;
• Childcare costs;
• Exams fees;
• Travel expenses;
• Residentials/trips.

Where can I get further information?

For more information or to receive an application form and leaflet explaining about the fund please call 024 7624 3255