Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) has announced plans to help and support students wishing to study further education courses, including cash payments, free food and discounted bus travel.

The plans have been introduced to address the concerns of both 16-18 year olds and adults, after the government scrapped Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and also cut adult funding.

The College are prioritising some of their own reserves to ensure less fortunate students don’t miss out in 2011/12 and have committed around £ ½ m to this initiative.

National protests took place last year after it was announced EMA would no longer be available for 16-18 years olds starting college. Students most in need can apply instead for cash and benefits to the value of £1,200, while the College is offering those with low household incomes free bus passes, help with equipment costs and help with the cost of residential trips. It is expected that just over half of students could benefit from these options.

In addition, a £200 bonus for those with 100% attendance will be available to all 16-18 year olds as an added incentive to achieve. The College has also pledged to help aged 19+ adult learners by creating an £800 bursary. Senior managers have introduced help with examination fees too, allowing students receiving the bursary or who have had their tuition fees waived to reclaim up to 100% of the exam fee, making courses more affordable for even more adult learners.

A late government policy change means unemployed people on inactive benefits (Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit and Employment Support Allowance – contribution based) who wish to gain skills to allow them to enter a job can now have fees waived, as well as those on Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance who are already entitle to fee waivers.

All students, regardless of age, can also benefit from a free healthy breakfast and discounted bus passes to assist with travel arrangements, while some may even be eligible for free travel on our own College bus depending on where they live.

Catherine Hill, Vice Principal of Curriculum and Standards at B&FC said:

“It is extremely important that the aspirations of young people and adults are not dampened by financial concerns and the College is pleased to offer support for learners to help them study at the College, achieve their goals and gain skills to get a job.

“Everyone is able to benefit from our support in some way which we hope will be a great incentive for anyone, whatever their circumstances, to come and study with us.”

It’s not too late to sign up for a course at B&FC for 2011/12. Call course enquiries on 01253 504343.