Services & Support

Money Matters

Who is eligible for financial support?

If you are considering gaining a qualification or improving your skills, the financial side of your education may be a worry. Whatever your situation; whether you are entering further education for the first time, wanting to improve your basic skills or perhaps considering a career change, you may be eligible for financial assistance. At Strode, with our dedicated student support staff, including one officer advising exclusively on financial matters, we will do everything we can to help you get the support you need. With all of this help available, and the future benefits of boosting your skills, how can you afford not to look into FE?

Ages 16-19

16 to 19 Bursary

The 16-19 Bursary is a pot of money given to the College by the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA). It is a scheme to help the most vulnerable 16-19 year olds continue in full-time education. The scheme is made up of two parts:-

A Guaranteed Payment Scheme
A Discretionary Support Fund

It is administered by the College and receipt of the bursary is conditional on the learner meeting expected standards of behaviour, attendance and quality of work.

Guaranteed Payment Scheme

Young people in vulnerable groups - those in care or care leavers; those in receipt of Income Support; young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance - are eligible to receive a guaranteed bursary of £1200.

Discretionary Support Fund

Students from low income families can apply to the Discretionary Support Fund for financial assistance where there is genuine financial barriers to participation such as the costs of transport, materials and equipment.

If you or your parents are in receipt of benefits or are on a low income, we encourage you to contact our Financial Advisor, Mandy Greville on 01458 844546 who will be happy to discuss your eligibility with you.

Care to Learn

If you are the parent of a child and are aged less than 20 years of age you can apply for financial assistance towards the cost of childcare through the Care To Learn scheme. The aim of Care To Learn is to give financial support to teenage parents who want to continue their education or training and need help with their childcare and travel expenses. For further information contact the Care To Learn helpline 0800 121 8989 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

All students who successfully applied for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in 2009-2010 will continue to receive payments at the same level in 2011-2012.

Those who applied for EMA in 2010-2011 and who currently receive £30 a week will be eligible for £20 a week in 2011-2012.

All students currently receiving £20 or £10 EMA will no longer receive any EMA.

Strode College Travel Bursary

All students who buy a County Ticket will receive £100 from Strode College towards the cost of the ticket.

All students who are not covered by transitional arrangements for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), and therefore NOT eligible for an EMA and who have a family income below £25,000 (gross), will receive enhanced support of a total of £300 towards the cost of the Somerset County bus pass.

For an application form, contact Mandy Greville, Financial Advisor, on 01458 844546 or download it here.

Ages 19+

There is a range of financial support available to help with the cost of studying:

Discretionary Support Fund

The College manages the Discretionary Support Fund to help students with essential costs of your course such as course fees, childcare costs, exam fees, books and equipment. The fund is allocated on the basis of need, so those FE students in the greatest financial difficulty will receive the most help. Receipt of the Discretionary Support Fund is conditional on the learner meeting expected standards of behaviour, attendance and quality of work. For further information, advice and guidance or an application form, contact Mandy Greville, Financial Advisor, on 01458 844546.

Grants and Bursaries

Some national and local organisations can offer grants to students on particular courses. For more information visit Family Action Educational Grants website - www.family-action.org.uk

Strode College is pleased to announce a new music bursary scheme for the academic year 2011/2012. For more information contact Linda Burnell on 01458 844406.

Adult Learning Grant

This scheme is now closed to new applications. All students who successfully applied for an Adult Learning Grant [ALG] in 2010/2011 and are continuing onto the second year of their course in 2011/2012 will continue to receive ALG until the end of their course.

Work-Based Learning

This is a program that includes work placements and employability training. These programs suit students who would like to gain a qualification, gain on the job experience but earn upwards of £55 per week.

Student Loans

Students applying through UCAS for a university level course will also need to apply for financial support. Go to www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance to register. For specific questions about applying and assessment, contact Student Finance England helpline on 0845 300 5090. The College Careers Team can answer broader questions on the level of support you can expect. Please call them on 01458 844409 for further information, advice and guidance.