Help with post-16 learning costs
Learning's vital to your success in work and adult life so you can often get help with your learning costs.
Jump Menu:
- Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
- Care to Learn
- Scholarships and study awards
- Discretionary Support Funds
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
If you're eligible for this, you could get a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30 a week to help with day-to-day expenses. The money goes straight into your bank account. The amount you get depends on your personal circumstances and doesn't affect any benefits that your parents/carers receive. In return you must meet attendance, learning, behaviour and other goals set out in your learning agreement with your school, college or training provider. If you do well you may get a bonus. Find out more at Directgov 
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Care to Learn
If you're a parent, this could help you with your childcare and travel costs. You don't have to do a course that leads to a formal qualification, but you must be under 20 on the day you start your course. Find out more at Directgov .
Scholarships and study awards
You may be able to get one of these if you want to do a specialist qualification in areas like dance, drama and sports. They're in short supply so there's fierce competition for them. They help towards living costs and tuition fees that government funding doesn't cover. To find out more, speak to your subject teachers, coaches, Connexions personal adviser and college student services. If your interest is in dance and drama awards look at Directgov .
Discretionary Support Funds
Schools and colleges have extra funds to help post-16 students who are in real financial need. Speak to the Student Support Officer to find out more.
What next?
Can you get help with post-16 living costs?
Tool kit
Hot tip
EMA is paid straight into your bank account. If you haven't got a bank account, open one now!
