Financial help post 16

EMA is a weekly payment of up to £10, £20 or £30 a week (depending on your household income) which is paid directly into your teenager's bank account.

Your teenager can use the cash to help with the day-to-day costs of learning, such as books and equipment. On top of their weekly amount they could also receive bonuses - but only if they continue to do well and meet the targets set by their teacher, tutor or provider when they start.

EMA does not affect other household benefits and your teenager can still claim EMA if they have a part-time job.

Your teenager may be able to get EMA after Year 11 if:

• They are aged 16-18.
• They are in full-time education at school or college or on an e2e programme or on a course that leads to an Apprenticeship.
• Your annual household income is below a certain threshold (for 2008-09 applications, it must have been less than £30,810 in the 2007-08 tax year).

Your teenager's school should distribute EMA information packs towards the end of the spring term in Year 11. Connexions personal advisers can give advice on how to complete the application form and what documents or evidence you need to provide.

For more information on EMA and how to apply, visit www.direct.gov.uk/ema or call the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989.

Support funds can be used to help students aged 16 and over with the costs associated with further education. It is targeted at those in greatest need and can be accessed by contacting the Student Support Officer at the college or school sixth form that your teenager attends. You can find general information on Discretionary Support Funds at www.direct.gov.uk .

Help with transport costs varies from one Local Authority to another. For more information visit www.direct.gov.uk/extrahelp .

Dance and Drama Awards will help pay for tuition fees and living costs at some of the leading private dance and drama training providers in England. The number of awards is limited and demand for them is high. The amount given will vary, partly depending on family circumstances. For more information visit www.direct.gov.uk/danceanddrama .

Some national and local organisations, including charities and trusts, offer grants to students studying certain subjects or who have a particular disability. Useful starting points for finding such organisations include Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities at www.skill.org.uk and the Educational Grants Advisory Service website at www.egas-online.org.uk .

Your local public library may also have information.

An unpaid trainee on a course leading to a Programme Led Apprenticeship may be able to claim EMA. Depending on the type of Apprenticeship, apprentices may be able to get a small amount of funding to help with travel or childcare costs. They may also be eligible for certain benefits if they are on a low income or have children to care for. For more information, contact the Apprenticeships helpline on 08000 150 600 or visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk .

If your teenager is under 20 and a young parent and carer of their own child or children, they can get Care to Learn. This helps to pay for childcare with a registered childcare provider, so that the young person can follow courses at school, college, on a programme leading to an Apprenticeship or on e2e. For more information, talk to a Connexions personal adviser or visit www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn .

Colleges will usually have funding to ensure they are able to meet your teenager's disability-related needs. Local Authorities must ensure that students are not held back from attending college because of transport difficulties, so they often provide transportation support for disabled students. The college may also be able to help meet travel costs.

Your teenager may be able to get a place at an independent or specialist residential college if their disability-related needs cannot be met by a local school or college.

If your teenager gets a job or is about to start work, the Access to Work scheme can help them with the additional costs they have because of their disability such as getting to and from work, special aids and equipment, and adaptations to premises. For more information, visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk .