Paying for your studies

Education doesn't come cheap, but there's loads of help out there if you're stuck for cash.

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Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

This is a weekly payment of £10, £20, or £30, given to students over 16 who have decided to stay on at school or college. The amount you get is decided by your household income, and is meant to help with costs such as travel, books, and other equipment. If you qualify for a payment, you'll receive it every week of the course, as long as you show up, and it can last up to three years.

If your household income is:

• up to £20,817 per year you get £30 a week;
• £20,818 – £25,521 per year you get £20 a week; and
• £25,522 – £30,810 per year you get £10 a week.

You're entitled to EMA if:

• your household income is below £30,810 per year, check this with your parent/carer;
• you are 16-18 and have left, or are leaving, compulsory education when you apply for the fund;
• you were born in the UK, have UK citizenship or a UK passport; and
• you're doing, or have applied to do, at least 12 hours of guided learning on further learning courses in schools and colleges (including AS/A2, GCSEs, GNVQs, NVQs), or a Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funded Entry 2 Employment programme, or a Programme Led Apprenticeship.

Learner Support Funds (LSF)

This fund is designed to help with personal hardship and emergencies, childcare, student accommodation, transport, tuition, registration and exam fees, equipment, field trips and disability-related costs. You have to be over 16 and a UK resident to be eligible. Check with your Local Education Authority (LEA) or school/college for full eligibility details and support.

Access to Learning Funds (ALF)

If you're struggling financially, owe priority debts like rent and bills, or can't pay your course fees, you may be able to receive an ALF (Access to Learning Fund). The idea of the funding is to support you for costs that other funds won't help with, like personal living costs and debts, which would otherwise force you out of education. Ask your school or college for more info, or visit the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) website.

Cash contacts

• For full details on funding available to you, your eligibility, and how to apply, visit the DCSF website www.dcsf.gov.uk or freephone 0800 731 9133.
• EMA website ema.direct.gov.uk or call 080 810 16 2 19.
• Contact your LEA www.northyorks.gov.uk or call their Student Support Team on 0845 345 2153.
• You can also ask your school, college or Connexions adviser for details.

Hidden costs

There are other costs to consider, too. You might have to pay for your transport to college, or for equipment for your course (on beauty therapy or cooking courses, for example). Check with your LEA about transport costs, and your school or college for equipment info, and talk to your Connexions adviser as well.

Work & learning

Once you start work you'll have plenty of opportunities to get new skills, meet new people, and of course earn money, hopefully by doing something you like. Preparation is the key, talking to your Connexions adviser and working out what sort of career you want, before stepping out into the working world. The chance to improve yourself, do great things and make a difference is out there, what you do now is up to you.