Funding & Fees
For most 16-19 years old, education is free. However, there are sometimes course-specific expenses including equipment and examination fees that may be required. For details on fees, talk to an adviser in Student Services prior to enrolment.
Education Maintenance Allowance
If you’re aged between 16 and 18 and want to, or you are already studying at college for at least 12 guided learning hours per week, you may qualify for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
EMA is intended to make learning more affordable by providing students with a weekly amount of money to help towards costs such as transport, books and equipment costs. You could receive up to £30 a week during term-time whilst at college and on top of your weekly allowance, you can also receive bonuses if you’re attending college regularly and progressing well on your course.
EMA is awarded based on the annual income in your household, so if your household income was below £30,810 during the last tax year (April 2007 to April 2008), then you may well be eligible. You could also be eligible if you are a young parent (under 20) who wants to start learning.
You can apply for EMA by completing an application form. Further information and application forms are available from your school, if you are still at school, or from Student Services here at the College. You can also find out more and order a form on-line at www.direct.gov.uk/ema or by calling the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989
Adult Learning Grants
The Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is intended to help support adult students with the cost of learning. The ALG is an income-assessed award based upon the learner’s (and partner’s, if applicable) household income.
To get ALG you need to be:
- aged 19 or over
- intend to study, or you are already studying for at least 12 hours a week working
- doing doing your first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification
- earning less than £19,513 if you are single or less than £30,810 if you are a couple
As long as you’re not in receipt of an ‘out of work benefit’ such as Job Seekers Allowance, Income support or Incapacity benefit, visit www.direct.gov.uk/alg, call 0800 121 8989, or contact us here in Student Services on 0845 155 1055 for more information or an application pack.
Learner Support Fund
Learner Support Fund (LSF) is available to eligible students, aged 16+, who require support with study costs such as tuition, registration and exam fees. The LSF can also help towards the cost of any essential books, educational trips, equipment and materials you may require whilst on your course.
If you are studying for more than 12 guided learning hours, on a low income or receiving a means tested benefit such as Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support you may qualify for support from the Learner Support Fund.
Travel Assistance
The LSF also offers students help towards the cost of bus travel to and from college. So if you live over 3 miles away from your campus of study and in receipt of EMA, ALG or a means-tested benefit such as Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support, then simply contact Student Services or speak to a Student Adviser for more information or to make an application.
Learner Support Fund - Childcare Support
If you’re a parent with children below school age and you are studying for more than 12 guided learning hours per week, you may be entitled to childcare assistance from the Government’s Care to Learn initiative.
If you don’t qualify for support from Care to Learn, the College may be able to provide financial support towards the cost of nursery/ childminding fees. These funds are limited however, and early application is strongly recommended. There is a separate childcare support information leaflet available from Student Services which explains things in more detail.
Tuition, Examination and Registration Fees
Students aged 16-18 years are exempt from paying all tuition, examination and registration fees. Eligible students aged 19+ may also qualify for part or all of their fees to be paid from the Learner Support Fund.
Means Tested Benefits
Students in receipt of one, or more, of the following Means Tested Benefits including Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Housing Benefit, Working Families Tax Credit or Disability Working Tax Credit may be exempt from tuition fees and subsidised examination and registration fees.
Local Council Support - Books and Equipment
Knowsley Borough Council offers financial support to adult students to help with the cost of books and equipment. Currently, this support consists of a one-off £50 grant and in order to be eligible to receive this grant, the following criteria must apply to you:
- You have been living in Knowsley for the more than 12 months on the first day of your college year
- You are on a full-time course of more than 12 hours of study per week
- You are not receiving Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
- Your attendance is 75% or above for the first couple of months at college
- You have not withdrawn from your course and meeting course requirements
- Your application is made before the 31st March 2009
Local Council Support – Transport
Most local councils offer support towards the cost of transport to eligible students. For further information or find out whether you qualify for support, contact your local council student support office on one of the numbers listed below.
Knowsley Borough Council - [0151] 443 3267
Liverpool City Council - [0151] 233 3006
Sefton Borough Council - [0151] 934 3260
Grant-making Educational Trusts and Charities
There are many educational trusts and charities that support students who may be experiencing financial hardship during their studies. This support normally comes as a one-off grant but there are some occasions where multiple grant awards are made.
The College has a computer software package called Funderfinder that can help students access the many educational trusts and charities. It does this by using the information provided by the student and then matching this information to suitable educational trusts and charities.
To find out more about Funderfinder, contact us in Student Services or speak to a Student Adviser.
If you would like any further help or support relating to financial support whilst you are studying, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our opening hours are:
9am– 5pm Monday to Friday
Student Services
Roby Centre, Rupert Road, Roby L36 9TD
Kirkby Centre, Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby L32 8SF
Tel: 0845 155 1055
email: info@knowsleycollege.ac.uk
