Important Financial Information for Students aged between 16 and 18
The following outline information is aimed to help you understand the changes that are being made towards the current provision of EMA combined with the introduction of a new 16-19 replacement bursary which starts in September for the 2011/12 academic year.
What is the new Bursary Award?
The 16-18 bursary award is a new £180 million scheme to help the most vulnerable young people continue in full-time education.
Who is it for?
- Young people in care
- Care leavers
- Young people in receipt of income support
- Disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance
Will all be able to receive a bursary of up to £1,200 per year.
What about young people who currently receive EMA?
Transitional arrangements will help those who are part-way through their studies and are currently receiving the EMA.
• students who first received EMA in 2009/10 may continue to be eligible to receive weekly payments at the same rate (£10, £20 or £30).
• students who first received EMA in 2010/11 and received the weekly payment of £30 may continue to be eligible to receive £20 for each week.
Please note students who received EMA payments of £10 or £20 in 2010/11 will not receive any further payments.
What about other students facing hardships?
For all other students who are aged between 16 and 18 before 31 August 2011 and who are facing financial hardship there is also help available.
If you wish to speak to someone about this or any other financial matter then simply contact the Student Services Team by phone on 01462 424242, email
studentservices@nhc.ac.uk or drop into the Student Services Centre at Stevenage or Hitchin.
Changes to the Adult Learning Grant 2011/12
There have been important changes to the Adult Learning Grant.
Students continuing on the same learning programme at the same level will be eligible to receive weekly ALG payments in the 2011/12 academic year. The learning programme must be undertaken at the same learning provider the individual was enrolled with in the previous academic year.
Students who received ALG in 2010/11 but who are starting a new learning programme in 2011/12 will not be eligible for ALG.
Learner Support Fund
This fund is available to assist students toward the cost of relevant educational expenses, to allow them to complete their course. If you have exceptionally high costs (e.g. childcare or course related trips), you may be able to apply for help from the Learner Support Fund*. For application details and opening times, please check with Student Services on 01462 424242
* Learner Support Fund subject to status and availability of funds.
Care to Learn (C2L)
Students under 20 years old can get financial help with their childcare costs from Care to Learn, up to £160pw, a deposit if one is charged, travel expenses to and from your child care provider if in addition to normal travel to College.