Funding available for 16-18 year olds:
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
What does this mean?
You can get a weekly payment of up to £30, whilst studying. You can also qualify for bonuses.
Can I get an EMA ?
You can if:
1. You have just left year 11, or have previously received an EMA and are continuing your studies.
2. Your parents receive less than £30,000 a year.
3. You are enrolled on a full time course that leads to a recognised qualification.
I answered YES, now what do I do?
1. Call the Student Funds Team for an application form.
2. Fill in the form (you will need help from your parents/guardian to do this).
3. Return the form to Liberata. If you are successful, they will send you a Notice of Entitlement with a contract to be signed by the college. This will need to be taken to the Student Fund Administrator for processing.
And then will I get my money?
YES, if you
1. Attend ALL of your classes.
2. Are punctual to all lessons.
3. Hand in all homework, coursework and assignments on time.
FE Learner Support Fund
The Learner Support Funds are available to assist students with various costs associated with their courses.
The criteria for the LSF:
1. Students over the age of 16 and
2. Who are enrolled on a course of a minimum 9 hours per week (except HND / HNC courses)
3. Who are in receipt of an income based benefit (payable to them/their parent/guardian/carer)
OR
4. Who live in a low income household.
Students who are aged 19 or over must have lived in the UK with no restrictions on their right of stay for a minimum of three years before the start of the course (except if they have been granted refugee status). Please note: Asylum Seekers not meeting the three-year “ordinary residency rule” may not qualify. For full details about this fund, please email studentfunds@wlc.ac.uk
Care to Learn
Care to Learn can assist young parents aged between 16 and 18 with the costs of registered childcare, and travelling expenses to and from the childcare.
If you are a young parent starting a new course in September you can claim up to £5,000 with the cost of OfSTED registered childcare. There are no restrictions on the number of hours per week you study, or on the length of the course, you take.
Payments can cover the periods you are studying in college, and may pay during the holidays to retain your place. The money will be paid directly to the registered childcare provider.
Assistance and application forms are available from the Student Fund Administrators. Further information and advice is also available from the C2L help lines on 0845 600 2809 – calls will be charged at local rate - or visit the website www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn 
