Money and 16+ Learning

Course/Tuition Fees

If you are under 19 you don’t need to pay for full-time school or college courses, but you may need to buy equipment for some courses (e.g. catering, hairdressing, photography). You may be charged for part-time college courses.

Travel Expenses

If you think that you may have difficulty paying for travel to and from school or college, check to see if there is any help on offer with travel costs. Local authorities and colleges may have different schemes to help students with travel, including subsidised fares, travel cards and passes.

Find out more about any help you may be able to apply for in Walsall: www.walsall.gov.uk

The 16 – 19 bursary fund may help you to stay in education or training if you need financial help to continue with your learning after 16.

There is a bursary of £1,200 guaranteed for young people in most need who are:

looked after or have left care
on Income Support
disabled and in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.

Schools, colleges and training providers may also be able to help with bursaries for transport, food or equipment to help students facing genuine financial difficulties.

You will have to apply to your school, college or training provider for a 16-19 bursary. In most cases they decide on the amount you could receive, when it is paid, and what conditions they might attach. Schools, colleges and training providers may:

provide specific items that students need rather than cash, for example travel cards or equipment for a course
set conditions that students must meet to receive a bursary, for example linked to behaviour or attendance

If you are concerned about financing your 16+ studies and need help, talk to your:

Personal tutor or careers teacher or adviser at school or college
Student services team at college.