Financial Support

Education Maintenace Allowance can help you carry on learning, with payments  of up to £30 per week. It will help you towards the cost of transport, books or equipment. You are advised to apply if your annual household income is below £30,810 (current for tax year 08/09). If you are eligible you will be sent a Notice of Entitlement (NoE). The NoE will confirm the weekly amount you will receive.

Learner Support Funds

If you are on a low family income did you know that in addition to EMA you can apply for Learner Support Funds to help fund trips, visits and any books or equipment.

Funds are limited since the introduction of EMA and eligibility is therefore based on your household income. The criteria for applications (current 09/10) is as follows:

• EMA students who are on low income, (e.g. less than £20,817 therefore receiving £30 perweek)

• Families whose income has fallen considerably from the previous tax year (e.g. After April 2010) to a level below £30,810 (e.g. due to redundancy)  who are unable to claim EMA.

• Any Art Foundation or third year student whose household income is less than £30,810 and unable to claim EMA

Each application is considered individually and is treated in the strictest confidence. Application forms will be available September from Student Reception.

UP Holland Grammar School Foundation

This longstanding fund has a limited amount of money available for students. Eligibility is on the grounds of low income.

You need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for a grant from the Foundation:

• Your family need to be able to show that they are on a low income. As a guideline, any student who’s family relies on benefit or whose income is less than £21,000 per year would be eligible to apply. However, individual circumstances can be taken into account.

• Your request should be for a project or piece of equipment that directly helps your academic progress. For instance, a theatre trip may qualify if you study a related subject, a foreign trip may qualify if you are a language student. Each application is discussed individually to decide if it meets the criteria and then a decision is made according to the availability of funds.

BENEFITS

Benefits for students on full time courses are very limited indeed unless the student is living away from home and even then claiming benefits can be problematic. Of course, child benefit continues to be paid up to a student's 19th birthday. Angela Gregory at Student Reception will help sort out benefit worries and is happy also to talk to parents who have any concerns (01695 628668).

Q: ‘Financial Aid’? We're not starting with loans and grants already, are we?

A: Winstanley does not offer loans and grants like universities do but we do administer Education Maintenance Allowance, and Upholland Grammar School Foundation, which students can apply for. (also see Financial Support). You are usually entitled to financial help if you come from a low-income family, or if you are supporting yourself through college.

Q: How do I find out if I am entitled to any of these benefits?

A: Information can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/ema or by telephoning the EMA Awarding & Assessment Body 0800 1218989, application forms are also available at Student Reception on request (also see Financial Support). If you are unsure come to Student Reception to discuss it with us.

Any queries relating to the above information please contact  Sue Woolley 01695 628622
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