We provide support for further and higher education including bursaries, accommodation fees, specialist books/equipment, and travel costs.
If you are in further education (age 16 -19)
- You can apply for a bursary if you stay in full-time education. For advice speak to student support services or your tutor, your PA, or go to www.direct.gov.uk/16-19 bursary (new link needed)
- You are also entitled to a Personal Education Plan (PEP) which will help the school or college identify/monitor and support your learning needs.
Support to access further education colleges
Before starting college
You will receive support and guidance during Year 11 to enable you to make a decision about your next step. This will start with a meeting with the Connexions PA and Virtual School within your education setting - if you decide to go to college a personalised interview and tour of your chosen college will be arranged for you and your carers.
- Your next steps will be discussed and reviewed at your PEP meetings in Year 11
- College will provide a named contact so that you and your carers can ask any questions
- College will contact educational establishments that you have attended to improve your learning journey in college.
On starting college
When you enrol at college you will receive a Welcome Pack with:
- details of important members of staff you may need to contact
- where to go in college if you need help
- what will be expected of you as a college student
- information about what money you can apply for and how to claim it. College staff will support your learning by holding two PEPs per academic year while you are at college.
Your named contact in college will monitor your learning throughout your time at college and can be contacted by yourself, your carers or your social worker/PA for any information or advice during your time there.
If you are in higher education (HE) - Degree Level
You can receive a higher education bursary which totals £2,000 paid in yearly instalments over the duration of your course - usually three years.
Other financial support for higher education (HE):
- Accommodation fees - which could be halls of residence or a flat and includes administration fees/ deposit and rent. Please speak to your Personal advisor for further information.
- Travel costs if remaining at home by way of bus/train pass or a petrol allowance if you have use of a car
We also support you to be able to return home during term time if you are living away, by covering costs as follows:
- Travel cost to and from place of study once a term. This would be for main holidays - Christmas/ Easter/summer.
- If you return to your Staying Put placement, we will pay a board and lodgings fee (this would be for Christmas/Easter and summer holidays.
If living away from home please speak to your PA regarding any other circumstances such as reading weeks if you return home, in terms of travel costs to be considered.
More information on the support available for Care Leavers who are in Education is available in our Financial Guide (insert link)