If a lack of money is preventing you from continuing your education or making a go of things don't give up - there may be some financial support that you are entitled to.
16-19 Bursary Fund
This is designed to help 16-19 year olds who are at college or sixth form. There are two elements to the 16-19 Bursary Fund:
- Young people in care, care leavers, young people in receipt of income support and disabled young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance will be eligible for a bursary of £1,200 a year.
- Young people who face financial barriers to participation, eg, difficulty meeting travel costs, meals, books and equipment may apply to their learning provider (eg, sixth form college, training provider) for financial assistance. They will then take a decision whether or not to give you any funding.
For more information about the bursary and how to apply visit the Direct.gov website.
There are details of additional funding sources for students on our Money handout. Click here to go the page where you can download this.
Going to university?
To find out more about the cost of going to university from September 2012 onwards go to the 'Future Students' website to find out more.
I am looking for a job
If you are under 18 your rights to benefits are limited. However, if you are struggling to make ends meet, there is an under 18s Adviser based at Bolton's Jobcentre Plus. Call into the Jobcentre to find out what you are entitled to. You will find them at 52 Blackhorse Street, Bolton, BL1 1SX. Tel: 0845 604 3719/Textphone: 0845 608 8551. There is an overview of benefits and information about how to contact Jobcentre Plus on the Direct.gov website.
I have a disability
Click here to go to the relevant section of the Direct.gov website where you will find detailed information about financial support for disabled people.
Financial Assistance for Young Mums and Dads
Care to Learn is designed to help young mums and dads continue in learning. If you are a mum or dad under 20 and have one or more children you can get up to £160 per child per week to help with the cost of your childcare and travel costs whilst you are learning. To find out more and to download an application form click here or ring the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989. Care to Learn application packs are also available from the Connexions Centre in Bolton.
If you are under 18 and a parent or pregnant use Gingerbread's online calculator to find out which benefits and tax credits you can ask for.