Funding available for Adults over 19 year olds:
Adult Learner Grant (ALG)
This government scheme is available to provide adult learners with additional financial support.
To be eligible you need to be:
1. 19-30 years old
2. Studying full-time
3. On a first full Level 2 or first full Level 3 course (relevant courses are marked with the logo)
4. Not in receipt of out of work benefits
or
1. 30+ (up to retirement age)
2. Studying full-time
3. On a first full Level 2 course
4. Not in receipt of out of work benefits
The following adults will NOT be eligible to claim this funding:
1. Students in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance and non-work benefits including Income Support and Invalidity Benefit
2. Asylum seekers
3. Applicants who are 30 years old but start their Level 3 courses more than 3 months after their ALG application has been approved.
For further information and application forms, telephone the helpline on: 0845 456 0027.
Learner Support Funds (LSF)
Due to Government cuts in allocation, funding will be limited to one area of support for each successful applicant. Students will have to identify their main support need when applying for financial assistance. Priority will be given to applicants continuing their studies at the College, particularly those returning to complete the final year of a two-year course. Financial help will be limited so students are strongly advised to budget for course-related costs prior to enrolling.
Available to students over the age of 19 and
• Who are enrolled on an LSC funded course (except HND/ HNC courses).
• Who are in receipt of an income based benefit (payable to them/their parent/guardian/carer)
Or 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 that Asylum Seekers not meeting the three-year “ordinary residency rule” may not qualify.
Please note:
1. Applications from New Deal and international students will not be considered.
2. Students in receipt of the ALG will not normally be considered.
3. Financial support for eligible students is subject to availability of funds.
Higher Education Adult Learning Fund
The Higher Education (HE) Adult Learning Fund (previously also known as ‘Access to Learning Fund) provides financial assistance to students who face difficulties in meeting their living costs or course costs, whether as a result of their personal circumstances or because they fall into hardship unexpectedly. The fund cannot meet the cost of tuition fees for any full-time students. The College can use the Hardship Fund to help full-time home students, following a Higher Education (Level 4) course. To be eligible for any assistance, the student must have taken out a student loan, if eligible, and applied for the full amount for which they were eligible.
Priority for assistance from this fund will be given to student parents (especially lone parents), mature students who have other financial commitments, disabled students, final year students, and care leavers over 18. Assistance and application forms are available from the Student Fund Administrators.
