Money Matters

You may know that in some circumstances you can receive financial support for going to college… and in many cases it may cost you nothing at all. Just take a few moments to read the information below to see what opportunities are available to help you to learn within your budget.

You will not pay tuition or exam fees if*:

1. You are aged 16-18 (under 19 on 31 August 2011).
2. You are over 19 on 31 August 2011 and you are in receipt of income-based benefits at the start of your course. Income based benefits include:
    • Job Seekers allowance.
    • Working Tax Credit (if household income is under £15,276).
    • Income Support.
    • Council Tax Benefit (not single occupier)
    • Housing Benefit
    • Pension Guarantee Credit.
    • Unwaged dependants of the above and on Jobseekers Allowance.
3. You are looking to study your first full Level 2 qualification.
4. You are 19-25 years old and looking to study your first full Level 3 qualification.

*Some courses may still require you to pay a tuition or exam fee. Please contact:

Student Services
t: 01226 216 114  or  01226 216 267
e: studentsupport@barnsley.ac.uk or call in to Room B164 at the Old Mill Lane site.

Student Travel Pass for 16-17 year olds

If you are in full-time education aged 16-17 when you enrol and you live in South Yorkshire, you may be entitled to concessionary student travel. Application forms are available from your school, your local Travel South Yorkshire Centre or our Student Services team. The Barnsley College Student Services team can help students to achieve and be successful in many ways. We can help you too – why not give us a call or simply pop in to see us?

There are many types of financial support available including:

Education Maintenance Allowance  (updated March 2011)

The decision to end EMA was announced as part of the Government spending review on 20 October 2010. This means that learners applying for a place starting College in September 2011 will not be entitled to EMA.

EMA to be replaced with a new bursary scheme

From September 2011, EMA will be replaced with a new £180m bursary scheme. If you’re aged between 16 and 19 years and face financial hardship while you’re in full-time education you may receive a bursary.

Schools, colleges and training providers will be responsible for awarding bursaries to students. For most bursaries they decide on the amount, when it is paid and whether it’s linked to behaviour or attendance, except for those most in need.

Those most in need, such as those in care, care leavers or those claiming income support will be guaranteed a bursary of £1,200.

Arrangements in 2011/12

You’ll receive payments while you study in 2011/12 if:

  • you first applied for EMA in 2009/10 (you’ll receive the same weekly payment)
  • you first applied for EMA in 2010/11 and you receive the maximum EMA payment of £30 (reduced to £20 a week in 2011/12)

If you’re in care, a care leaver or on income support your weekly EMA payments will be replaced with a guaranteed bursary of £1,200 a year from September 2011.

Further Information on EMA and the new bursary scheme cab be found at the directgov website

Barnsley College Discretionary Learner Support Fund

The College is committed to supporting learners and will continue to have a Discretionary Learner Support Fund and provide subsidised travel subject to eligibility.

If you would like more information about the Support Fund or any other
types of financial support, please contact Student Services
t: 01226 216 114  or  01226 216 267
e: studentsupport@barnsley.ac.uk or call in to Room B164 at the Old Mill Lane site.

Adult Learning Grant  

This is available to learners on full-time courses (minimum 12 hours per week), aged 19 or over and studying for their first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification.  The allowance is means-tested and students must not be receiving support from other government grants/training allowances, e.g. Income Support.  You may receive up to £30 per week during term time, subject to good attendance.  For further information and an application pack please contact the ALG – Learner Support Service on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.direct.gov.uk

Learner Support Fund

This fund helps to support learners with the cost of studying, e.g. books, equipment, kits etc. and childcare costs. Please note childcare funds are only available to learners aged 20 and over. To be eligible, learners must be enrolled and attending an LSC funded programme. All applications are means-tested based on household income and on a first come, first served basis. Funding is limited, however, and the College cannot guarantee to support every application it receives.  Learners need to apply as early as possible. For further information and an application pack, please contact Student Services on 01226 216 267.

Care to Learn

If you are under the age of 20, Care to Learn offers financial support towards the cost of childcare and associated travel costs while you are following any form of publicly-funded learning. Learners must be caring for their own child(ren), living in England and using a registered childcare provider.  For further information and an application pack, contact the Care to Learn Helpline on 0845 600 2809. Further Information is also available if you visit www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn

Career Development Loans (CDLs)

Career Development Loans are commercial bank loans that may be available to students aged 18 or over who are studying a vocational (work related) course. CDLs from £300 to £8,000 are available. For further information and an application pack please contact the CDL Helpline on 0800 585 505 or visit  www.direct.gov.uk