We provide free impartial information, advice and support to students throughout their College life. We currently help administer and support six different Government grant schemes:

Learner Support Fund

Learner Support funds are distributed according to criteria designed to benefit as many students as possible, subject to availability. To find out if you are eligible to apply for LSF, please see application form below.

The Learner Support Fund cannot be used to pay all or part of the tuition and exams fees if there is a requirement for you to pay them.

Fill in an application form now.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available nationally across England to those studying a minimum of 12 hours a week. Entitlement to an EMA depends on an assessment of household income and can range from £10 - £30 each week. You will receive your EMA for two to three years as long as the household income does not rise above the annual threshold.

Adult Learning Grant (ALG)

The Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is an attendance grant aimed at eligible students aged 19 and over who are studying for their first full-time level 2 qualification or their first full-time level 3 programme. The ALG is means tested and not available to students who are claiming 'out of work' benefits such as JSA, Income Support and Incapacity Benefit. The ALG can attract weekly payments of £10-£30 for term-time weekly attendance.

Professional Career Development Loan (CDL)

Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year's relevant unpaid practical work).  The Young People's Learning Agency will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards.  The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses.  You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries.  Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated.  For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900.  Our learning provider registration number is: 6064.

Financing Your Childcare 

Care to Learn

Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare costs while you learn, if you're under 20.

For further information call 0800 121 8989.  

Finally, the Learner Support Fund may be able to assist you with childcare finance. Please call 01908 684364 or email us: welfare@mkcollege.ac.uk