If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Learner Support. Learner Support can help pay for things you need to attend your course or study that are not covered by your course fees. The money could help with, for example: travel costs accommodation materials and equipment a laptop and wifi childcare with an Ofsted-registered childcare provider You apply to your learning provider (for example your college) for Learner Support. How much you get depends on your circumstances.

Your learning provider decides how much you get and how it’s paid to you. It depends on their scheme and your circumstances. The money could be: a loan a grant you do not have to pay back paid to someone else, for example an Ofsted-registered childcare provider Check with the student support staff at your college or the National Careers Service about other funding you could get.

Contact your learning provider to check if they offer Learner Support and if you’re eligible for it. To get Learner Support you must be: 19 or over (you must be 20 or over to get funding for childcare costs) studying for a qualification at level 3 or below in financial hardship - your learning provider might ask for proof that you’re on a low income If you’re 19 and want help with childcare costs, you can apply for Care to Learn instead. You can still apply for Learner Support for help with other costs, like travel. Eligibility for other types of funding You can apply for Learner Support even if you get some other types of funding, for example: Care to Learn Disability Living Allowance Who cannot apply You cannot get Learner Support if: you’re getting student finance for higher education you’re on a Community Learning course the same costs are already covered by the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund You can get both the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund and Learner Support if the money is used for different costs.

Apply directly to your learning provider (for example, a college) - they each have their own application process. Speak to your student support services to: get help applying find out what’s available Appeal a decision If you’re not happy with the decision about your Learner Support, contact your learning provider to appeal it.

Learner Support

Overview

If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Learner Support.

Learner Support can help pay for things you need to attend your course or study that are not covered by your course fees.

The money could help with, for example:

travel costs
accommodation
materials and equipment
a laptop and wifi
childcare with an Ofsted-registered childcare provider

You apply to your learning provider (for example your college) for Learner Support. How much you get depends on your circumstances.

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Learner Support

Overview

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Learner Support

Overview

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