Financial information - the facts

• Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
• Learner Support Funds
• Child care help
• Scholarships and study awards
• What will I earn?
• Can I claim benefits?
• Additional help for people with special needs
• Opening a bank account

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

If you decide to stay on in full-time education or training, or join an e2e course or a Programme Led Pathways learning programme that leads to an Apprenticeship, you may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). The EMA is:

• a weekly payment of up to £30 per week.
• awarded dependent upon your household income, which has to be less than £30,810 a year
• awarded to about half of all 16 year olds in the UK who are continuing in full-time education or training
• available to help you to buy course-related equipment, pay for travel costs and other on-going expenses
• paid directly into your bank account, during term time
• awarded if you fulfil the income criteria and are doing, or applying to do, at least 12 hours of guided learning each week on one of the programmes mentioned above
• awarded for the length of your course - two to three years. In return, you must demonstrate a commitment to your course or training programme by regular attendance and fulfilling all the course deadlines

For further information, visit www.direct.gov.uk.

Learner Support funds

Learner Support Funds are for students aged 16+ on full or part-time courses. You can claim learner support funding even if you are receiving an EMA. The fund is to:

• help with travel expenses to attend your course or training
• help to pay for books, equipment and extras, such as visits and field trips
• cover accommodation costs if the course is too far away for you to travel daily
• cover personal hardship and emergencies that affect your standard of living.

Conditions apply and individual schools and colleges set their own rules about who is eligible. Speak to your Connexions personal adviser to gain more information or visit www.direct.gov.uk.

Childcare help

Care to Learn provides help with childcare and travel costs for young parents in education or training. The course you choose does not have to lead to a formal qualification. You can only claim this award if you are under 20 on the day your course starts and are caring for your own child or children. To find out more, speak to your Connexions personal adviser or visit http://moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk.

Scholarships and study awards

• You may be able to claim these awards if you attend, or plan to attend, a college for specialist qualifications, for example, the dance and drama awards or specific sporting courses.
• The financial awards may be used to help with tuition fees that are not covered by government funding for 16-19 year olds and support for living costs.
• The awards are limited and you would have to compete against other young people for an award.
• For more information about dance and drama awards, call 0845 600 2260 (quote reference D6) or visit http://moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk.

What will I earn?

The National Minimum Wage is very important because it is a set of laws which are in place to protect nearly all people who work. It sets rates per hour worked and employers are not allowed to pay below these rates.

• From October 2007, the national minimum wage rate for 16-17 year olds is £3.40 per hour.
• The minimum wage for 18-21 year olds it is £4.60 per hour.
• The minimum wage does not apply to Apprentices under 19 and their pay can vary.

Can I claim benefits?

Benefits are not usually given to people under 18. Your parents receive child benefit and other benefits, which they are entitled to until you are 19, if you are in full-time education.

However, in exceptional circumstances you may be able to make a claim, for example, if it is necessary for you to live away from your parents/carers or you have caring responsibilities for children. Your Connexions personal adviser will be able to advise you.

Additional help for people with special needs

Ask your Connexions personal adviser whether you qualify for any extra financial support. You can also get advice and practical information from Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19 and at www.connexions-direct.com.

You could also check out:

• DIAL UK (The Disability Information and Advice Line), which can put you in touch with local organisations. Call 01302 310123 or visit www.dialuk.info.
• www.after16.org.uk, which is a website giving advice on choices and challenges for young disabled people, including money matters.

Opening a bank account

Open a bank account if you do not already have one. It makes sense, whether you are in full-time education, work or training. Banks have financial advisers who can help you to manage your money. If you qualify for an EMA, your payments will go straight into your account. Work out a budget for managing your money and try to stick to it.

Financial help booklet

For more information about financial help for 16-19 year olds see the free booklet Financial Help for Young People available from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Call 0870 900 6800 or visit www.lsc.gov.uk.