Grants for students
Free travel for 16-18 year olds
Free and discounted travel is available for 16-18 year olds in London.
For information on who gets free travel and when visit the Transport for London website
Education Maintenance Allowance
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011. Schools, colleges and training providers have funds to help you if you’re studying or starting a full-time course and face financial hardship. For advice speak to the student support services at your college or to your tutor.
From September 2011, EMA will be 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. Schools, colleges and training providers will be responsible for awarding bursaries to students. For most bursaries they 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 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 will be replaced with a guaranteed bursary of £1,200 a year from September 2011.
All other students aged between 16 and 19 who face financial hardship can apply for a bursary through their school, college or training provider.
Learner Support Funds
Learner Support Fund (LSF) is the new name for what used to be called the School Access Fund. The grant helps students with their learning and living costs. It is also to help young people stay on in education.
Who is eligible?
- Students aged between 16-19 years
- Anyone who attends a sixth form in a school
- Anyone who does not receive an Education Maintenance
- Allowance (EMA) and whose family has a gross annual income is less than £17,000
- Anyone who receives an EMA and is still in financial hardship
Students living in Waltham Forest studying at a sixth form college or a college of further education should contact their college for advice. Each college receives their own money from the Learner Support Fund and has its own policy for administering it.
School uniform grants
Waltham Forest Council does not make grants or provide help with the cost of school clothing, including PE kit.
