The Student Services Centre is available to help you with many issues such as benefits, housing, employment rights and money matters.  You can drop into the Student Services Centre for an informal chat, or to make an appointment for a more in-depth meeting and get professional confidential advice from trained staff.  If you have financial concerns, limited funds are available to help some students.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available to all new students who reach the age of 16 between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009. It comes in payments of £10, £20 or £30 which go directly into your bank account, but only if you attend and do well on your course. On top of your weekly amount you can also receive bonuses if you continue to meet targets set by College. To qualify, you need to be 16, 17 or 18 and your household’s income must be no higher than £30,810 for the tax year 08/09. This amount does not include any money you earn from part time work or affect any other household benefits your parents may receive.
Visit: www.direct.gov.uk/ema; call 0800 121 8989.

Adult Learning Grant: You need to be 19 or over. Your full time course must: lead to your first full Level 2 qualification (e.g. a First Diploma + 1GCSE) or first full Level 3 qualification. (4 A’ level equivalent.) The payments are made if a student attends all their lessons and commitments in College each week. The income threshold is based on your gross income – income before tax or other deductions:       

• An income under £19,513 if you’re single
• A combined income under £30,810 if you are living with a partner

Visit: direct.gov.uk/alg or call 0800 121 8989.

Care to Learn:If you’re a young parent (under 20) and want to start or continue in learning, you could get up to £160 per child per week to help with your childcare costs. Check out the ‘Care to Learn’ website www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn: Call 0800 121 8989; your Connexions Personal Adviser or Anne White at College.

Learner Support Funds (Access Funds).  College receives a small allocation of money to support those students who experience financial hardship as a result of continuing their studies in College. Currently, it is not known if any funds will be made available for the academic year 2009-10. Further details will be provided at enrolment.