This section contains information for students aged 19 and over and students aged 16-18.
Financial Help for Students Aged 19 and over
Discretionary Learner Support Funds
If you are struggling with your course because of financial difficulties, you may be able to get help with some of the costs of essentials (e.g. equipment and travel) for your course, through the Discretionary Learner Support Fund. There is a limited supply of funding available so early application is advised. It’s a means tested fund and you will be expected to show some proof of income such as a recent Working Tax Credit Notice, two recent payslips, a copy of a letter from the benefits agency or bank statements.
Contact the Student Finance Officer on 01204 482191 or pop into Student Services; we are here to help.
Financial Help for Students Aged 20+ who have children
Are you a student aged 20 or over (on 31st August of the year the course starts) and have children? Are you in severe hardship? There are funds available to help you.
In order to quality for 20+ Childcare Support Funds, students must have an income level of £20,000 or less. And you will need to prove that you qualify by bringing in a recent letter which shows the family income e.g. recent Working Tax Credit Notice; two recent payslips; copy of letter from benefits agency; bank statements.
The Childcare Support Fund will pay 75% of the costs of a student’s childcare and the student is responsible for the other 25% of the costs.
The child care provider chosen must be Ofsted registered and cannot be a relative of the student. The Fund pays costs related to the student’s study days at College and does not pay for childcare costs during holiday periods or after school care for older children.
The fund is limited and runs on a first come first served basis so early application is advised.
The Childcare Support Fund Application Form should be completed with your tutor or the member of staff who is enrolling you but if you need further help, drop into Student Services at Deane Road from 12-1pm; or contact the Student Finance Officer by calling 01204 482191.
Adult Learning Grant (ALG)
The Adult Learning Grant is not available to new students from September 2011.
But if you are already in receipt of the Adult Learning Grant in 2010/2011, Capita will notify you as to whether your ALG payments will continue for 2011/2012.
Financial Help for Students Aged 16-18
Bursaries
Bursaries are available for some 16-18 year old students who will be new to Bolton College in September 2011 and they will replace EMA for some existing students.
There are two types of bursary:-
-
The Guaranteed Bursary of up to £1,200 a year if you are:
- A young person in care or care leaver,
- A young person receiving Income Support in your own right or
- A young person with severe disabilities and in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Disabled Living Allowance
- The College Bursary is available to eligible students to help towards costs such as transport, food or essential equipment required for the course. The College Bursary which will be administered by the College, is means tested and students may qualify if you are aged 16-18 and your family income is £20,817 or less.
For further queries, contact the Student Finance Officer based at Student Services at Deane Road by calling 01204 482191.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
If you already receive EMA, Capita (the company who administer EMA nationally) will have contacted you during the summer 2011 by letter to advise whether or not you will receive EMA in 2011/12.
- For students who received EMA from 2009/2010, you will continue to receive the same level of payments for attendance at College until the end of the 2011/2012 academic year.
- For students who received the maximum weekly EMA payment of £30 in 2010/2011 you will be eligible for £20 for each week you are in education, until the end of the 2011/2012 academic year.
- For students who received £20 or £10 since 2010/2011 you will not receive EMA in 2011/2012.
EMA will not be available to new students in 2011/2012 but students may be eligible for a Bursary instead.
For further details of our EMA Guidelines and Procedures, please download the document at the bottom of the page.
Financial Help for Students aged under 20 years old and who have children
If you are aged under 20 years-old and have children, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the government’s Care to Learn Scheme.
This provides help with the costs of having a child looked after at a nursery or by a child-minder whilst you study at Bolton College.
For more information about the scheme and to see if you are eligible to apply, get in touch with the Student Service’s Childcare Manager/Student Finance Officer today at Deane Road.
