There are opportunities available for you to apply for financial support to help with studies. Details are listed below and information on our how to apply can be obtained from the Learner Services team at Reception or at learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk .
Advanced Learner Loans
If you are 19 or over and studying on an eligible course at Level 3 or above, you will qualify for one of these government loans. No credit check is required, and you won’t have to start paying the loan back until you are earning at least £27,660 per year.
For more information about these loans, visit gov.uk/advanced-learner-loans
Advanced Learner Loan Bursary
This is available to learners who have an approved Advanced Learner Loan. The bursary can help to pay for travel, childcare, and course materials costs
College Fee Support (CSF)
WM College is funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and has chosen to allocate some funding to a College Fee Support fund (CFS). The funding for the year 2023/24 will be used solely to support learners with paying their course fees.
Learners who, at the time of enrolment, are on a low household income and/or in receipt of a means tested benefit, which totals less than £26,000 may be eligible for CFS. Learners must be enrolling on a WM College course that is funded under the Adult Education Budget stream.
The number of courses for which any learner can apply for financial help in any one academic year is limited to a total fee remission value of £1,000 or six courses, whichever is reached first.
More detailed information can be found in our College Fee Support Policy found here or from Learner Services at Reception.
Learner Financial Support Fund (LFSF)
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) provide us with funds to support learners who wish to continue learning and whose total household income is below £26,000 a year. This is known as the Learner Financial Support Fund (LFSF).
Any support you are given from the fund is on an assessment of your financial circumstances and is distributed on a first come first served basis. We will, in accordance with the funding guidance, further prioritise the funding to priority groups of disadvantaged learners.
For more detailed information on the type of support you can apply for, speak to our Learner Services team at Reception.
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
If you are under 19 years old on 31 August 2023, you may be eligible for support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund.
The aim of the fund is to help cover some of the financial costs of attending College, such as transport, food, equipment and other course related costs.
There are two types of 16 to 19 bursaries:
- a bursary of up to £1,200 a year for young people (set eligibility criteria is applied)
- discretionary bursaries which the College will award to meet individual needs, for example, help with the cost of transport, meals, books or equipment
Learners who want to apply for support from the bursary fund or to find out if they are eligible should contact a member of the Learner Services team at Reception or at learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk .
Care to Learn
Care to Learn is a government scheme that can assist young parents, aged under 20 at the start of their course, with the costs of registered childcare and travelling expenses to and from their childcare provider.
If you are a young parent starting a new course, you can claim up to £195 per week towards the cost of Ofsted registered childcare.
There are no restrictions on the number of hours per week you study, or on the length of the course you take. Payments can cover the periods you are studying in College, and may also be paid during the holidays to retain your place if your course continues the following year.
The money is paid directly to the registered childcare provider.
For further information about the Care to Learn scheme and how to apply, please contact a member of the Learner Services team at Reception or at learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk
Welfare Advice & Support
If you have financial worries, are confused about welfare benefits, are facing homelessness, or are on low income and think you might be eligible for support with childcare, travel and course related materials, please contact a member of the Learner Services team at Reception or at learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk
