Learner Support Fund for Students in School Sixth Forms

Introduction

The Learner Support Fund is a scheme designed to help young people in school sixth forms who might face financial barriers which threaten their access or participation in their course of learning. Support is focused on those students whose needs are greatest. Students can apply to the Local Authority for assistance from this scheme if they are eligible under the criteria outlined below.

The Learner Support Fund can provide assistance with the following: 

• The cost of travel from home to school if not met through provision elsewhere
• Specialist books and equipment not made available by the school to all students
• Additional course costs, such as field trips and educational visits
• Examination fees not covered by School provision
• The cost of travel and subsistence to higher education open days and interviews
• Childcare
• Costs associated with work experience placements    

When assessing applications the Local Authority will take into account other sources of funding, such as the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and travel concessions available to students locally. 

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for assistance from the Learner Support Fund applicants should meet the following conditions:

• They must live in Cumbria
• They must be enrolled on a course in a school sixth form in Cumbria
• They must be aged 16 or over on 1 September
• They must be able to demonstrate a need for support, based on either household or personal income, or exceptional circumstances
• They must provide evidence of satisfactory attendance and progress at school    

Priority will be given to the following groups of students:

• Students who can demonstrate exceptional hardship
• Students who receive EMA but whose family income has dropped to the level that they would be eligible for a higher rate of EMA, but who are not eligible for a reassessment under EMA regulations.
• Students whose family income last year was over the EMA threshold but who have since experienced a significant drop in family income so that they would otherwise now be eligible for EMA
• Students who are in public care or are care leavers
• Students with disabilities
• Students who are parents
• Students from families on benefits or low income
• Students who are Disadvantaged or "at risk"    

Learner Support Fund Grants

All applications will be considered individually. Students who qualify for assistance can receive a maximum payment of up to £300 in an academic year. Payment is made by cheque, payable to the applicant. As a general rule, applicants with a gross household income of less than £20,000 receive a £300 allowance, applications with a gross household income of less than £30,000 receive a £200 allowance and applications with a gross household income of over £30,000 would receive a maximum of £100.

How to Apply

Application forms and supporting information are available from School Sixth Forms, Connexions, the Local Authority Student Support Services Team or you can download the form using the link below:

Download Form SF1

Student can submit an application from the start of the academic year in September up to the last day of the summer term of that academic year. Students cannot apply to the Fund for support for previous years study.

Sections one to seven of the form are to be completed by the students and his/her carer or parent, although students who receive EMA and can provide evidence of entitlement need only complete sections one, five, six, seven. Section Eight should be completed by a designated member of the school staff, usually the Head of Sixth Form or Head Teacher.

Completed forms should then be returned to Student Support Services, 5 Portland Square, Carlisle, CA1 1PU, Telephone: 01228 606777.

A Local Authority Panel will consider applications according to the criteria set out above. If Funds are over-subscribed priority will be given to those groups listed above. Applications will be processed as quickly as possible and students will usually be notified in writing of the decision of the Local Authority Panel within three weeks of receipt of the application form. Payment by cheque will follow shortly after notification.

How to Appeal

Any student who is not happy with the decision of the Local Authority Panel should initially contact the Student Support Services Manager to discuss his/her application further. If s/he is still not satisfied an appeal in writing should be sent to the Head of Service for Planning, Commissioning, Performance & Resources. The Student Support Services Manager will prepare a response to the issues raised in the letter of appeal. The appeal will then be considered by the Head of Service for Planning, Commissioning, Performance & Resources who will make a final decision and inform the applicant in writing within one week of that decision.

STUDENTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE IS NO AUTOMATIC ENTITLEMENT TO SUPPORT FROM THIS FUND. EACH APPLICATION IS CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY ON ITS MERITS AND IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS WITHIN A PRESCRIBED YEARLY BUDGET.