Funding your studies is a challenge, however there is help available. No matter which course you are studying, you’ll find some helpful tips below about all the options available to you.

Further Education Courses

There are a number of funding options for students studying full time further education courses, including:

Job Seekers’ Allowance & means tested benefits, including disability allowance

Students may be eligible to apply for Job Seekers’ Allowance and other means tested benefits. Please download the leaflets on the right for more information.

Discretionary Bursary Scheme

In September 2011, the old EMA was replaced with a new £180m bursary scheme. If you’re aged between 16 and 19 years and face financial hardship while you’re in full-time education you may receive a bursary.

The College is responsible for awarding bursaries to students. For most bursaries we decide on the amount, when it is paid and whether it’s linked to behaviour or attendance, except for those most in need. Those most in need, such as those in care, care leavers or those claiming income support or Disability Living Allowance and Employment Support Allowance will be guaranteed a bursary of £1,200.

Arrangements in 2011/12

You’ll receive payments while you study in 2011/12 if:

• you first applied for EMA in 2009/10 (you’ll receive the same weekly payment)
• you first applied for EMA in 2010/11 and you receive the maximum EMA payment of £30 (reduced to £20 a week in 2011/12)

If you’re in care, a care leaver or on income support your weekly EMA payments has been replaced with a guaranteed bursary of £1,200 a year as of September 2011.

All other students aged between 16 and 19 who face financial hardship can apply for a bursary through the College. For a simple overview, please download the “Further Education Student Financ 11-12″ leaflet on the right hand side of this page.

Futher information can be found on the Direct Gov Website

Free travel for eligible 16-18 year olds

Bucks County Council offers free travel to 16-18 year olds who are from low income families, or have special educational needs. See their website for details, or download the information and form on the right hand side of this page.

Adult Learning Grant

ALG has been replaced by the discretionary learner support fund. If you received ALG in 2010-2011 and are continuing to the second year of your current course, you will continue to receive ALG, however if you are changing courses you will not. For more information, please visit the Adult Learning Grant website.

Professional and Career Development Loans

A Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL) is a bank loan. You make an agreement with a participating bank to borrow an amount between £300 and £10,000. Then once you’ve stopped studying, you pay it back in the normal way. The difference with a Professional and Career Development Loan is that the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) pays the interest on the loan while you’re studying – and for one month afterwards. In general a Professional and Career Development Loan could be an option for:

• A postgraduate course, like a masters
• Technical or management training
• A professional qualification
• A course at your local college or learning provider
• An additional bachelors degree (if you’re already a graduate)

For more information visit the PCDL website.

Learner Support Fund

Amersham & Wycombe College has a Learner Support Fund which is available to help you with the cost of studying. A travel subsidy may also be available if you live some distance away from the College and are not eligible for help from your local authority. Please phone 0800 614 016 or call in and speak to a student advisor for further information and advice.

Part Time Courses

Students of part time courses can apply for a Professional and Career development loan for certain courses and can also apply for the Learner Support Fund. For further information about funding options for part time courses, please see the part time course section in Applying

For more information about funding your studies if you are aged 19 years old or over, please download the leaflet on the right of the page.

Higher Education Courses

Student Finance

This information applies only to students living in England. If you are a student living in Wales you should visit the Welsh Assembly Government web site at www.learning.wales.gov.uk/students for the latest information.

If you are going into higher education, you can get financial support from the government. The two main sources of help are:

• Student loans from the government
• Grants to help with living costs

For further information on student loans, grants and the application process please download the leaflets on the right and visit the Student Finance England  website  www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance where you will find a step by step guide to applying for the finance available to you.

A great and accessible guide to student finance, as well as a finance calculator is available on Martin Lewis’ Money saving Expert website as well as the BBC website.

Further information for students applying to start a higher education course in 2012 can be found here and on the website of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

Learner Support Fund

Higher education students may also be eligible to apply for assistance from the Learner Support Fund in case of emergency. Please visit student services at the Amersham or Flackwell Heath Campuses for more information.

For more information about funding your studies if you are aged 19 years old or over, please download the leaflet on the right of the page.

What will we charge?

Higher Education fees for 2012-13.

Full time higher education fees are £5500

Part time foundation degree fees will be confirmed shortly.

Other part time higher education tuition fees will vary depending on the nature and duration of the course. Please contact the Course Information Team on 0800 614016

Overseas HE course fees will be confirmed shortly.

Overseas part time foundation degree courses fees will be confirmed shortly.

All fees are charged on a per annum basis. For more information please call 0800 614 016 or request a copy of the College’s fees policy.