ILA Scotland making changes. (Individual Learning Account)

A_fiend_for_life

Hi,

I received a letter from ILA Scotland (Individual Learning Account) saying that they are making changes to their rules.

The scheme is being broadened to include 16 and 17 year olds.

People earning over £18,000 will no longer be eligible for the £100 fund from June 30th and individual funds will need to be used before September 30th.

Not sure about England, Wales and Northern Ireland for this one.

quickstepqueen

Do you know when these changes are taking place? I can't see anything on their website at the moment.

Many thanks for posting as this might be helpful for both my stepsons (16 & 18) who live in Scotland.

Tigsteroonie

LearnDirect Scotland says:

ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme for anyone 16 or over who lives in Scotland.

ILA Scotland's News page says:

Hopefully you will already be aware of the up coming changes to the ILA Scotland scheme

These changes include making the scheme available to 16 and 17 year olds, providing funding for part-time higher education courses and removing the £100 funding offer for learners on an income of more than £18,000 a year.

The £100 scheme closes on 30 June 2008, although existing account holders can book a course up to 30 September 2008.

We have started to write to everyone with a £100 account to inform them of the changes to the scheme so you may receive some enquiries from learners who have questions about this.

ILA Scotland will continue helping people with an income of £18,000 a year or less, or who are on benefits, by offering up to £200 a year towards a wide range of courses.

Would appear to take effect from the Autumn.

A_fiend_for_life

A section or the letter reads:

'As you have a £100 account we want to make you aware that you will soon no longer be able to access this funding as the scheme will be removed from 30 June 2008. You will however still be able to use your funding up to 30 September 2008 as all eligible courses booked before this date will be paid using the funds available in your account at the time.'

The bold text is their emphasis.

So it seems if your on their system by 30th of June you can still take advantage of the £100 up to the end of September.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) my circumstances have changed so alas I should be eligible for the £200 funding.

I think its a good call focusing on 17 - 18 year olds though.

Oldernotwiser

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

I think its a good call focusing on 17 - 18 year olds though.

I don't really see the point of this as education is free at this age anyway. Doesn't EMA exist in Scotland?

A_fiend_for_life

For those who want to go straight into work and start earning its a good way to get additional skills and accreditation.

Not sure about EMA though.

Oldernotwiser

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

For those who want to go straight into work and start earning its a good way to get additional skills and accreditation.

Not sure about EMA though.

But part time education is free to under 19s as well.

A_fiend_for_life

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

But part time education is free to under 19s as well.

Didn't know that but then I am not in the situation of leaving school or having dependents who are leaving school. Do you mean free in college or school as well?

EMA has clicked I presume is Education Maintenance Allowance. I think that is available in Scotland - not sure but I think it is around £30 per week.

I am sure some decide to leave nevertheless and so there is something else for them to pick up if they want to progress their training. I am not saying one is better than the other however if someone decides they really don't want to stay in school then they can still pick up another form of funding. Horses for courses.

To be honest I would prefer to stay in school since in Scotland we have highers instead of A-Levels. Highers last for one year and you do optional Sixth Year Studies after that. So the extra one year is not as daunting as two years studying A-levels.

At the end of the day some folk leave after GCSEs and to that end there is something else available for funding depending on their cicumstances. Better that it goes towards 16 - 17 year olds than people earning over £18,000 which is what ILA Scotland or whoever have looked at.

However it may be possible to do an ILA funded course and remain in school that is something I am not sure about. It is also good for someone who has finished highers and is taking a gap year before going on to university.

Oldernotwiser

As 16/17 year olds get free education and 30 per week EMA if parents are on low incomes, I still think there's little point in this. Adults returning to education, on the other hand, often have a real struggle financially ( 18,000 is not a large income on which to pay a mortgage and support a family!) Presumably people having a gap year would be out of education ( that's what a gap year means, after all) and therefore not eligible for this payment anyway.

A_fiend_for_life

It is an Individual Learning Allowance so each person earning under £18,000 is eligible for the funding. As far as I am aware.

The payment is means tested by salary and age there may be other criteria but I am not aware of them. If you are below the earning threshold you are eligible for the funding. It is for people who want to progress their training though you can also do something completely different to your current job. It is geared for people who are in work or looking for work.

Granted £18,000 is a pittance to bring up a family and all respect for people who manage family life and continue their education.

The funding usually covers about two days or 20 to 30 hours part time courses from what I have shown an interest in.

quickstepqueen

Thanks for all the repsonses. My youngest stepson, 16, is going on to do a full time course so this won't be of use to him. However, my other stepson who is 17, is living in a rented flat and has expressed an interest in maybe returning to education to do something along the lines of catering, so this could be very very helpful. Any extra income from a fund such as this would help him to buy books and equipment.