Arrangements in 2011/12 for Students aged 16-18
(as on 1st September 2011)

All students will receive free tuition and exams for their course and every student will be supplied with text books for the duration of their course.

Students with young children will get help with childcare through the Care to Learn Scheme.

Continuing students who currently receive Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA):

  • Students most in need, such as those in care, care leavers or those claiming income support will be eligible for the bursary of £1,200 in place of EMA weekly payments. You can also apply for support from the South Downs College Education Support Grant.
  • If you first received EMA in 2009/10 you will receive the same weekly payment as you received in 2010/11. If you first received EMA in 2010/11 at the maximum EMA payment of £30 per week you will receive £20 a week in 2011/12.
  • If you first received EMA in 2010/11 at £20 or £10 per week your EMA payments will stop and you may apply for a South Downs College Education Support Grant.

In all cases if you need further help with the costs of attending College e.g. a free bus pass for the first term, you can apply for support from the South Downs College Education Support Grant.

New students aged 16 -18 (as on 1st September 2011) and continuing students not in receipt of EMA:

You can apply for a South Downs College Education Support Grant if:
  • your family is in receipt of a benefit (listed below*) or your annual household income is below £20,817

you will then receive:

  • free travel between home and College (up to the value of £510 per academic year)
  • free payment of the College General Deposit
  • free specified equipment, books and clothing required by the course you are attending
  • free other essential activities such as residentials although you
  • may be asked to contribute to the costs of any meals
  • free UCAS administration fees
  • refund of up to 3 Higher Education Visit travel expenses
  • refund of necessary work experience expenses including a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check

Students most in need, such as those in care, care leavers or those claiming income support will be eligible for the bursary of £1,200 in place of EMA weekly payments. You can also apply for support from the South Downs College Education Support Grant.

    * Benefit list
  • Council tax Benefit (other than single occupancy)
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Job Seekers Allowance (Income based)
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Working Tax Credit (not just Child Tax Credit)

Application Forms

 16-18 Application Form
 19+ Application Form

BENEFIT RECEIVED EVIDENCE REQUIRED to support application
Council Tax Benefit
(other than single occupancy)
Local Council letter stating you currently receive this benefit
Employment & Support Allowance Benefits Agency letter stating you currently receive this benefit with an income based payment dated after 30th June 2011
Housing Benefit Local Council letter stating you currently receive this benefit
Income Support Benefits Agency letter stating you currently receive this benefit dated after 30th June 2011
Job Seekers Allowance
(income based)
All pages of the Benefits Agency letter stating that there is an income based payment attached, dated after 30th June 2011
Pension Credit
(Guarantee Credit)
All pages of your Award Notice issued by the Pension Service, dated after 30th June 2011
Working Tax Credit All pages of your Inland Revenue Award Notice for April (not solely Child Tax Credit) 2011 to April 2012