Students are eligible if they live in the borough of Hounslow, are over compulsory school leaving age and in school sixth form education.

The purpose of this award is to provide financial assistance to pupils who do not qualify for an EMA due to their age or residency status and remain in school beyond compulsory school age but whose access to or completion of education might be hindered by financial considerations.

We provide an annual maintenance award to eligible applicants, which is paid by instalments at the end of every term. The maximum award for the academic year 2007/08 is £300 per pupil.

The award can be used towards the cost of such items as books and equipment, examination fees not covered by an existing school budget, field trips and other associated costs with living and learning.

Students resident in the London Borough of Hounslow may be eligible to be considered for financial assistance from the learner support fund if the student is:

Over 16 and under 19 on 1 September of the year in which the course begins or have begun a course at the school before reaching the age of 19 and continue to attend, and
Ordinarily resident in the Authority at the time of application, and
Attending a full time, non advanced course of at least one years duration (a full time student is one who attends school or college for a minimum of 12 hours per week), and
Attending a state maintained school, and
Or his/her family is in receipt of Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance or are on a low income (beneath £17,000 gross), and
And the course is not a repeat period of study in either terms of actual course or comparable level of course (unless student is able to demonstrate to the Authority good reason for repeat study. Examples would be serous illness or bereavement.)

Priority will be given to the following:

care leavers or those in care
lone parents
disabled students (including those with sensory impairment or learning difficulties)
students undertaking basic education or English as a second language
In addition, eligible students will only continue to receive assistance if their attendance is satisfactory (minimum 70%). If the LA is notified that a student has unsatisfactory attendance levels, all funding will be withdrawn.

Due to the limited amount of funding available, all applications must be submitted to us by 31 December 2007. Applications received after this date will only be considered if there is money left available and will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. Genuine emergencies that could not be foreseen or provided for in advance will be considered on an ad hoc basis, subject to funds being available. Once all available funding has been allocated the scheme will be closed to applicants until the start of the next academic year.

If you wish to apply for learner support funding, please contact us for an application form.

Education Services
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN

Tel: 020 8583 2820