Financial Support for learners aged 16-18

Our flexible grants allow you to shape the support you receive to meet your individual needs.

The following grants are available:

• Travel
• Kit/Uniform
• Materials
• Trips/Visits
• Books

Learners travelling by public transport, car, moped or motorcycle will receive a maximum contribution of £390 in the Staffordshire area and £495 for any other area. 

• Eligibility

  To be eligible to apply for our support grants, you must be:

  • Living with parents or guardians with a household income of less than £17,076 per year or who are in receipt of one or more means tested benefits
  • Aged 19 to 25 years with a current Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
  • Living independently and in receipt of one or more of the following benefits in your own right, or are living with a partner or spouse who is in receipt of one or more of the following benefits, with an identified financial need:

             - Income Support or Universal Credit

             - Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)

             - Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

             - Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

             - The guarantee element of State Pension Credit

             - Child Tax Credits with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 (for one

               dependent) or £19,999 (for two or more dependents) as assessed by Her

               Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (including Working Tax Credits)

             - Working Tax Credit run-on which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

• Don’t meet the eligibility criteria but still need help?

  Don’t worry, if you have a genuine financial need but do not meet the eligibility criteria, you may still apply for support. You will be required to write and submit a short statement detailing your exceptional circumstances and provide any appropriate supporting evidence. Awards under exceptional circumstances are made on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Learner Services Team Leader, and do not set a precedent for other awards. Speak to a member of our Financial Support Team for further information.

• Contact us

  For more information and advice about the Advanced Learner Loan, please call our Financial Support Team on 01283 494757/4472 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..