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Finance your Learning  
Are you put off going back to college, either part-time or full-time, because of the costs involved? It’s not just fees, there is also the cost of travelling to consider, as well as the cost of books and childcare.... and you still need to have money to live on.

Don’t worry, there is a lot of help available, depending on your individual needs.

You can support the costs of learning in many ways, either through loans or grants. You could be eligible for exemption from fees, as well as help through the benefits system.

Here are some useful websites:
More students will qualify for a Maintenance Grant
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance From September 2008, around one third of eligible students are expected to be entitled to a full Maintenance Grant of up to around £2,835. Around a further third are expected to qualify for part of the Maintenance Grant. The amount you receive is based on your household income - and the good news is that you won’t have to pay a penny of this back.
In Our Hands
http://inourhands.lsc.gov.uk/adults.html
New website from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) helping individuals to explore their skills. No matter what stage of life you’re at, advice is available and some of the main sources are listed below. If you’re not sure where to start, call 0800 011 30 30 for advice.

Career Development Loans
www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/cdl/
Deferred repayment loans of between £300 and £8000 for a vocational course. Tel: 0800 585505 or contact the local Jobcentre

Higher Education Student Support from the DfES - Aimhigher
www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport
To help you get the best out of going to university or college, there is a range financial help available. Essentially you will have two main types of expenses whilst at university or college - tuition fees and your own living expenses. Student loans for maintenance are available to help out with your living costs, and you may also be eligible for a grant. Check out this website from the DfES.
Lifelong Learning
www.lifelonglearning.co.uk
General advice on financial help while studying is available from: Look for 'money to learn'
Scholarship-search
www.scholarship-search.org.uk
Hotcourses and UCAS bring you a comprehensive guide to everything you need when planning and organising your student finances.
Learning and Skills Council
www.lsc.gov.uk/
Contains general information, including details of how you might be exempt from tuition fees.
Know-How Works
www.know-howworks.co.uk/learnandtrain.htm
The Know-How Works website is an information resource for people in the Thames Valley who are 45 plus and who are interested in finding out about returning to work Much of the detail is about organisations local to the Thames Valley.
Aim Higher
www.aimhigher.info
Department for Education and Skills site with information about grants, loans and charitable funds for education.
Support4Learning
www.support4learning.org.uk
Substantial site which includes finance for learning.
learndirect
www.learndirect.co.uk
Advice on learndirect and on funding for courses. See section on learning advice – paying for your learning.
Global Grants
www.berksfoundation.org.uk
Global grants were launched by the Berkshire Community Foundation to give local groups a new and easy way to obtain money from the European Social Fund. They are principally to help people who face difficulties in getting employment.
Tel: 0118 930 3021
Student Loans Company
www.slc.co.uk
For information on government loans for study at Higher Education level.
Educational Grants Advisory Service
www.egas-online.org
Maintains information on funding for those studying in post 16 education, including information on loans, grants, access funds, hardship funds, bursaries, charitable trusts etc.
Money Matters To Me - NIACE
www.moneymatterstome.co.uk
This site has been developed by NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) and offers advice on how individuals and families can deal with their finances when coping with personal life changes.
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
www.skill.org.uk/
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) may be available to students who have a disability and who need additional support to complete their studies.

This is only given to students who are studying for Higher Education courses and is given to buy equipment and support for education.

The amount given is based on an assessment of what you need by your Local Education Authority (LEA). Each LEA has its own rules about how the money is granted.

Although all disabled students are eligible for funding, your LEA can refuse to support certain costs or items of equipment if they do not feel they are necessary for you to carry on your education.

The amount of funding available varies each year, so check with your LEA or university disability officer. To apply for DSA you will need the support of your university, or an assessor from an Access Centre.

Most universities will help you in your application; just contact their disability adviser or student services.

The Managing Agent for nextstep Berkshire is CfBT Advice and Guidance
Disclaimer | Last updated 13 January 2008