A to Z:

Sixth form access funds

If you are staying on at school in year 12 or 13,you should apply for the new Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)in the first instance. 
Most year 12 and 13 pupils are not normally eligible to apply for Post 16 Learner Support Funds because of the availability of EMAs. However there are some exceptions: 

In order to qualify you must be resident in this authority's administrative area and have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for three years prior to the 1 September in the year that your course begins. If you are an EU National living in this area, you will have to show that you have been ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area for three years prior to the 1 September in the year that your course begins.

Application forms for Post 16 Learner Support Fund are available form your Head of Sixth Form at school.

Please ask your school to photocopy your birth certificate, sign the copy to say they have seen it and then send the certified copy to us with your application. If you were not born in the United Kingdom we will need to see your original passport at  Central Bedfordshire Council offices.

You will also need to provide evidence that you:  

  • have a disability, special educational needs; or
  • are medically ill and would otherwise have to abandon your course; or
  • you are looked after by Central Bedfordshire Council; or
  • have applied for EMA but your school can show that you are still at risk of leaving school for financial reasons that are due to some exceptional circumstance. 
  • have applied for EMA, but are unsuccessful and you are in receipt of free school meals. 
  • have applied for EMA, but are unsuccessful and you, your parents or guardians are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

The qualifying benefits are Income Support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit (income less than £15,575), Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit (not including single adult rebate),

Disabled Person’s Tax Credit

The maximum amount currently payable is £200 for the Autumn and Spring terms. The amount payable in the Summer term will depend on the amount left in the fund at March 2009, and the policy of the 2 new unitary authorities.

Applicants in receipt of means tested state benefit need to be aware that any support from the Learning Support Fund may lead to a reduction in the benefit paid if it is used to meet general living costs. If the Learning Support Fund is used to meet costs of travel to and from school, books and equipment, field trips, other course costs or childcare, it is unlikely that benefits will be reduced. Applicants should check with the agency paying the benefit, rather than the council, to ensure that any payment will not impact on the level of benefit.