Students and Money

Staying on after 16
If you want to carry on studying but are worried about money, or just wanting to find out what you're entitled to, read on, we can point you in the right direction. There's support available for vocational and academic learning after your GCSEs, and it might make the difference between feeling you need to start working, or carrying on with your education.
A Connexions Advisers can help you to find out what finance is out there for you. And here are three good starting points to help you find out more for yourself:
Take a look at the article on the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) elsewhere in this section of the site. EMA is a weekly allowance especially for students aged 16 and over.
The Department for Chidren, Schools and Families (DCSF) has information about the range of benefits you might be entitled to - look at the Money Matters website for more information.
Support4Learning is another good source of information, with details on a wide range of support services, grants, bursaries and awards.
Who can help?
Call the freephone EMA Helpline on 080 810 16 2 19 or visit their website at http://ema.direct.gov.uk/ema.html for more details.
The Department for Education and skills student finance website offers useful information and explains fully the funding that you may be entitled to. Visit http://moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk/.
Find out about the financial help that's available to young people in education and training and make sure you're claiming everything you're entitled to by visiting Directgov - Financial Help for Young People.
The Support4learning website porvides information and help with financing future education and training. Visit www.support4learning.org.uk/money.
You can speak to a Personal Adviser at your local Connexions Centre. To find your local centre click on the Local Services icon in the footer of the homepage or check out your local phone book.
You can contact a Connexions Direct Adviser by phone on 080 800 13 2 19, by text on 07766 4 13 2 19, by textphone 08000 968 336, by adviser online or by email.

Source: Connexions Direct