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Sources of funding for older learners, England & Wales
| Briefing paper outlining possible funding opportunities for older learners. Aims to provide older learners with a starting point for accessing possible funding opportunities. We offer a brief summary of the funding available, together with details of eligibility criteria and where to obtain further information. |
Introduction
Accessing funding can be a particular problem for some older people, who often want to learn for leisure reasons whilst funding is generally (but not exclusively) directed towards vocational learning. In recent years there have been some encouraging initiatives, such as New Deal 50 plus, and the Government has published a wealth of literature on aspects of ageing and the benefits of learning for older people. However, whilst this focus on older people is welcomed, there are still issues to be addressed to ensure that financial barriers do not exclude older learners from learning.
Career Development Loans
A deferred repayment bank loan for vocational (work-related) education or training, available to those not eligible for funding through their Local Education Authority. You can apply to borrow between £300 and £8,000 to pay for up to 80% of your course fees, plus the full cost of books, materials and other related expenses. There is no upper age limit.
Contact: Career Development Loan Information Line on 0800 585505 (for free information pack and application form).Web site: www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/cdl/
New Deal 50 plus
For older people who are looking for practical help to find work. Once you have taken up work with the help of New Deal you can apply for a Training Grant to help gain or update skills related to your work. Applicants should be aged 50 or over, not working and have been claiming Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance for at least six months. You may also be eligible if you have been receiving National Insurance or Incapacity Benefit Credits or Invalid Care Allowance. There is no upper age limit to eligibility. Contact your local Jobcentre or call 0845 6062626 for information. Web site: www.newdeal.gov.uk
Funding for Further and Higher Education courses
Access Funds
Access Funds are administered by universities and colleges for their own students, to help those on low incomes and in most need. Each institution sets its own criteria, you should ask for a copy of your institution’s policy for allocating Access Funds. You do not have to pay them back.
Hardship Funds
Also available through universities and colleges for students experiencing severe financial hardship. These can be either non-repayable grants or repayable loans. The amount paid out and criteria are the responsibility of the institution. Students should talk to their student awards or welfare officer or Students’ Union to find out whether help is available.
For information on funding for further education courses see Money to Learn: Financial Help for Adults in Further Education and Training produced by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Available from DfES Publications on 0845 6022260 or download from web site: www.DfES.gov.uk
Funding for Higher Education courses
Student Loans
Government-funded loans administered by the Student Loans Company. Loans are repayable after completion of studies once your income rises above a certain threshold. Around three quarters of the maximum loan is available to all students and the remaining quarter is means-tested by the Local Education Authority.
However, eligible students must be under 55, and if aged between 50 and 54 you must indicate your intention of returning to work after graduation.
At the time of writing, full-time students studying outside London can borrow up to £3,815 per year and part-time students up to £500. Contact your Local Education Authority (listed in the telephone directory under the name of the local council). Application packs are available from the LEA, or DfES Information Line on 0800 7319133 or download from web site: www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/
Other sources of support for certain full-time students in higher education
These include childcare grant, lone parents’ grant, school meals grant, books and equipment grant and disabled students’ allowances. Again, for students up to the age of 55. From 2002/3 students over 54 will be eligible for travel and dependants’ grant.
See the publication Childcare grant and other financial help for higher education students in 2001/2002, available from DfES Information Line on 0800 7319133.
Although most full-time students are not entitled to social security benefits, certain students in vulnerable groups may be eligible for benefits including Housing Benefit. Contact your local Benefits Agency office to find out how undertaking a course may affect benefits. You can also telephone Freephone 0800 666555 for advice.
For general information on funding for higher education courses see Financial Support for Higher Education Students in 2001/2002 produced by DfES. Available from DfES Information Line on 0800 731 9133.
Examples of good practice in higher education provision for older learners
There are some examples of institutions that provide support to older learners. The University of Central Lancashire, for example, has created a biennial bursary for women over the age of 60 with no previous experience of higher education to help them prepare for and study towards a degree.
Funding for Adult Education courses
Local Education Authorities (LEAs)
Concessions are often offered to older people undertaking adult education courses, which tend to be more ‘general interest’ and non-accredited courses. However, this can vary between local authorities. Course fees range from total remission in some cases to full fees in others, although most do make some concessions for older people. NIACE’s Fees Survey 1999-2000, which looked at fee levels charged to part-time students by LEAs and colleges, reported that 57% of responding colleges and 91% of responding LEAs give concessions to older students.
Residential colleges
Bursaries are available for students attending full-time courses in liberal adult education at one of the eight adult long-term residential colleges in England, Scotland and Wales. The bursary includes payment of tuition fees, a maintenance grant for living expenses and in some cases travel costs. Applicants must be recommended by the college.
For residents of England and Wales contact: The Awards Officer, Adult Education Bursaries, c/o Ruskin College, Oxford OX1 2HE for a copy of Adult Education Bursaries. For English and Welsh residents wishing to study at Coleg Harlech in Wales, contact: Ms A Thomas, The Further Education Funding Council for Wales, Lambourne House, Cardiff Business Park, Llanishen, Cardiff CF4 5GL.
Other possible sources of funding
Local charities
Some charities and trusts make awards to students, although grants are usually small and in high demand. Information on charities and trusts that may be able to provide financial help can be obtained from the following sources:
Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS). EGAS offers advice and guidance primarily to disadvantaged students. It provides information on grants, loans, benefits and bursaries, as well as possible charitable sources of funding if appropriate. EGAS, 501/5 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AU. Tel 020 7254 6251. Send a stamped addressed envelope and a student enquiry form will be sent by return post.
The Educational Grants Directory (published by the Directory of Social Change) lists a wide range of funds, and is available in most public libraries. Other useful publications include Charities Digest (published by Waterlow Information Services), Grants Register (Macmillan Press) and The Directory of Grant Making Trusts (Charities Aid Foundation).
 | Some LEA Awards Departments keep lists of local educational charities and trusts. |
| Local Adult Careers Guidance Services may hold information on local charities. |
| Local Councils for Voluntary Service may be able to provide information on local charities. |
| See the telephone directory for local branch or web site: www.nacvs.org.uk |
Employers
It is worth approaching employers for assistance. They may provide help through contributing to fees and/or other costs or allowing paid study leave. Some companies have introduced Employee Development Schemes. The scheme at Ford EDAP, for example, has demonstrated the economic benefits to be gained from investing in employees’ learning.
Employers may offer sponsorship opportunities to promising students on particular higher education courses. Most sponsorship opportunities are in the sciences, technology, engineering and business. Many are advertised in careers services, and there are a number of guides, including Students Sponsorship Funding Directory (published by CRAC/Hobsons), available at most careers services and public libraries.
Trade Unions
Trade Unions may offer some assistance; anyone in a Trade Union should enquire. The General Federation of Trades Unions Educational Trust makes grants for full-time and Open University students, although this is for specific subjects within economic theory and history, industrial law, history and the principles of industrial relations. Individual trade unions may have other schemes.
The General Federation of Trades Unions Educational Trust, Central House, Upper Woburn Place, London, WC1H 0HY. Tel: 020 7387 2578. Web site: www.gftu.org.uk
Local businesses
It is also worth approaching local businesses to ask whether they might be interested in sponsorship. It can sometimes pay dividends to publicise the financial barriers faced by older learners in local newspapers, as local companies and organisations may offer help.
Ex-service personnel
The Royal British Legion Women’s Section President’s Award Scheme provides educational grants and scholarships to ex-Servicewomen and widows of ex-Servicemen and certain dependents.
Legion Information Line 08457 725725. Web site: www.britishlegion.org.uk
Postgraduates
The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) occasionally carries details of bursaries offered to postgraduate students in the Awards section of its jobs pages.
The most important sources of funding for postgraduate students in the UK are the Research Councils and the Arts and Humanities Research Board. These are government-funded agencies, and competition is intense. There are six Research Councils covering different subject areas in the sciences and social sciences: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Medical Research Council (MRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC). Postgraduate funding in the arts and humanities is provided by the Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB).
For information on the Research Boards listed, and further information on funding for postgraduate education, see the Prospects web site and database: www.prospects.ac.uk . There are also a number of useful sources of information on postgraduate funding and courses available at careers services, including the AGCAS Careers Information Booklet, Postgraduate Study and Research. This is available free of charge at your careers service.
Useful contacts
Local Education Authorities (LEAs)
LEAs publish information on financial support. Contact details for LEAs are available from local libraries, education advice centres and careers services. Details can also be found in the telephone directory under the name of the local council.
Learndirect
Provides information and advice on a wide range of courses nationwide and provides details of local educational guidance services. Call the Learndirect helpline free on 0800 100900, web site www.learndirect.co.uk .
Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS)
Provides information on grants, loans, benefits and bursaries. Contact at 501/5 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AU or telephone 020 7254 6251. Send an SAE for a student enquiry form.
SKILL (The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities)
Produces some excellent factsheets on student finance. Contact at Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW or telephone 020 7450 0620. Web site: www.skill.org.uk
Support4Learning web site
The ‘Money and Student Finance’ section provides information and advice on funding and useful links. Web site: www.support4learning.org.uk/money/index.htm
References and Further Reading
Financial Support for Higher Education Students in 2001/2002.
DfES. Available from DfES Information Line: 0800 731 9133.
Download from www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/finance2001.cfm
Fees Survey 1999-2000:
Indicators of fee levels charged to part-time adult students by Local Education
Authorities and Colleges.
Fiona Aldridge. NIACE, 2000. ISBN 1 86201 113 3.
The impact of learning on
health.
Fiona Aldridge and Peter Lavender. NIACE 2000. ISBN 1 6201 101 X
Learning in Later Life: Motivation and Impact.
Sally Dench and Jo Regan. DfEE, 2000. ISBN 184185199X
Learning to grow Older &
Bolder.
Shiela Carlton and Jim Soulsby. NIACE, 1999. ISBN 1 86201 050 1
Mapping Learning Opportunities for Older People: Mapping Tool and Guidelines
Available from NIACE. Provides details of agencies that have made an impact
on older peoples issues in some parts of the UK and may be able to provide
information and advice.
Money to Learn: Financial Help for Adults in Further Education and Training.
DfES. Available from DfES Publications: 0845 6022260.
Download from www.dfes.gov.uk
Winning the generation game: improving opportunities for people aged 50-65 in
work and Community Activity.
Performance and Innovation Unit, Cabinet Office. The Stationery Office,
April 2000. ISBN 0114301662
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