Further education financial support
Financial support you might be entitled to as a care leaver if you go into further education.
The amount of support you are entitled to depends on your care leaver status. Check your rights on the GOV.UK support for care leavers website.
Further education is study after secondary education when you are aged 16+.
On this page
16 to 19 Bursary Fund
If you are 16-18-years-old when you start a full-time course, you can apply for a 16 to 19 education bursary to help with education-related costs. You could receive £1,200 each year from your college.
Different places pay the bursary in different ways. Some buy travel passes, others put money directly into your bank account on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly or half termly basis.
If you have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) you may be able to continue getting the 16 to 19 bursary after you are 19-years-old. This will depend on your income and outgoings.
How to apply
You will need to apply to your school, college, or training provider. Ask student services or your tutor for help.
Visit GOV.UK for more information on the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
Learner Support fund
You could get help from your education provider's discretionary Learner Support fund if you are:
- 19-years-old or over
- On a further education course
- Facing financial hardship
How to apply
You will need to apply to your college or training provider for Learner Support. How much you get depends on your circumstances. It is up to the education provider to decide who they support financially using this fund. It is often limited to whoever applies first.
Visit GOV.UK to learn about the Learner Support fund
Funded Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications
If you are aged 19-23-years-old you might be entitled to funded learning for a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification. This will depend on the course you are hoping to study and whether you already have a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification.
Visit GOV.UK for guidance on free courses for jobs
Visit the DfE website to discover qualifications approved for funding
You can speak to your local college, life beyond care worker or Adult Learning provider for more information.
Advanced Learner Loan
You might need to pay the fees of a Level 3 course, which is equivalent to an A Level. This could be because:
- It is not funded due to your age
- You have already completed a Level 3 course
To pay for the course you could apply for a Government Advanced Learner Loan.
How to apply
Your life beyond care personal adviser will support you to make an application for this loan.
Visit GOV.UK to check Advanced Learner Loan eligibility and apply
Study materials and training equipment
You might be able to get help with study materials and training equipment until you turn 25. However, it is not compulsory for us to pay for these costs.
If you will struggle to pay for items for a course, for example, catering knives, work boots or books, tell your life beyond care worker. We might be able to help you.
You can also try and get charity funding.
