Confused? Can my daughter (16) claim student funding?

SillyOldReg

Looking for some help! My daughter is due to commence a two year course in Central London come September 2008. This will mean her having to travel daily from our home in Herts, and will no doubt prove to be very expensive in terms of travel costs alone.

The course leads to diploma qualifications in the fashion/retail industry.

Does she qualify for any financial assistance for the course and/or travel?

Any help from you kind 'MSErs' would be gratefully received.

Many thanks.

Lokolo

No I don't think so, I think she would only be entitled to EMA if your household income is below that, other than that I cannot see her getting anything else.

Lynxette

The college may provide some variety of funding.

jackk_2

My Daughter got £300 from the local education authority for field trips and books.

beckyboopboop

In terms of the transport you should contact your county council's passenger transport department to find out about subsidised travel for 16-19 students, maybe have a look at the following website to see if it is applicable for your daughters situation:

http://www.hertsdirect.org/yngpeople/youth/info/travel/1619transport/

If not then contact the college, in some cases they can assist with transport costs.

chuckley

YPR then student railcard?!

tbs624

I would have though she would probably qualify for fee exemptions if it's a full time diploma course and she's in 16-19 age bracket.

Someone has already mentioned the EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) but this is only payable on a sliding scale dependent on parental income - a max of around £30/31K.

AFAIAA local authority travel help is normally only given to those who fit several criteria - family in receipt of certain benefits, distance of more than 3 miles by shortest route, disability/learning difficulties , although she should be entitled to a pass to allow a cheaper rate of travel. Your LEA, or the college, should be able to give you info on all this

djdeckstar

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm
try this link i am on benefits and was told my daughter was not entitled to any help but i found this site and she has now applied for a bus pass and a student grant

System

She's only entitled to:

EMA if your income is low: http://ema.direct.gov.uk/

Students 16-18 get free Bus and discounted tube travel in London.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/1018.aspx

Unless you're on benefits that's about it. It's the same for all 16-18 students, whether they are taking A-levels or college courses.

Is this the closest fashion/retail course to your home? If it is, then you could approach your LEA (local education authority) & ask for extra funding. Again, most of this depends on your income. If your household income is over £30k, then according to the government, you can afford to fund her yourself.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/index.htm

littlemissmoney

Student Oyster might help?

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/1018.aspx

Diamond90

I got help with costs of a course when i was 17 from the access fund, maybe its worth looking into:
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/student_finance/sources_of_help/access_to_learning_funds.cfm