Your County - Putting Kent First

Kent 4 star Council

Contacts

Higher Education Office
Bishops Terrace
Bishops Way
Maidstone
ME14 1AF

Telephone iconSee the Kent student awards group contacts page for the appropriate telephone contact for your query.

Email icon student.awards @kent.gov.uk

Funding your education

Support is available, subject to eligibility, as follows:

Post-16 school grants - 2007/2008

If you are aged 16 to 19 and staying on at school full-time to study A-levels or NVQs etc., then you may be able to apply to your local area Education Office for financial assistance. (Forms are available from the pupil's head of 6th year at the school that they attend.)

If you or your family are in receipt of any of the following benefits

  • Income Support
  • Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit if income is under £14,495
  • Working Tax Credit if income is under £14,495
  • Guaranteed Pension Credit

then you can receive a £300 grant towards your expenses.

You may choose to appeal on an exceptional basis even if you do not qualify under the means-tested benefit heading. In order to apply you need to obtain Form AW1 from your local Area Education Office (the contacts box on the left-hand side of the page contains the necessary link). Please note that Government funds are subject to availability.

Learner Support Funds

If you require money for books/equipment/field trips etc., then you must apply direct to the college where you intend to study and ask them what funding you could receive from their college Learner Support Funds.

Home to college travel assistance

If you are aged 16 to 19 and wish to attend your local further education college then you may be able to apply for travel assistance. For further information on eligibility criteria and how to get funding please visit Home to college transport.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

EMA is a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30 depending on your household income. The money is intended to help with the day-to-day costs when you stay on at school or college - such as travel, books and equipment for your course.

You can find out more about EMA by visiting the EMA website (link opens in a new window)

For further information, please visit student finance direct. (link opens in a new window)

Copyright Kent County Council 2008