Who Can I Talk to About Support with My Education?
Here is a list of some of the different people you can talk to about your education:
- Your Parents
- School Staff – your Teacher, Designated CLA Teacher, Head of Year
- Education Coordinator
- Your Social Worker
- Educational Psychologist
- Your Foster Carers
- An Advocate
- Your IRO
What is ‘Education Maintenance Allowance’?
If you decide to stay on in school or go to college after you are 16 years old, you could get up to £30 weekly allowance to help you with your studies. The money is paid every two weeks, directly into your bank account. If you want to find out more about getting EMA, you can visit the Student Finance Wales Website:
http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/fe/ema.aspx
What If I Want to Go to University?
If you have taken the plunge and have decided you would like to go to university, there are lots of different types of support available for you to access.
CLASS Cymru
The CLASS Cymru (Care Leaver Activities and Student Support in Wales) website has been designed to support young people who are care experienced and are considering going to university. They have lots of helpful tips and advice, to make sure you have all the information you need. There is information about what to do before university, making applications, transitioning to university, studying, and what to do after university finishes. For more information, have a look at the CLASS Cymru website:
Home - CLASS Cymru
Grants and Loans
You should be able to access a range of grants and loans and additional help through Student Finance Wales, depending on your circumstances.
To find out more information, have a look at the Student Finance Wales Website: http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/
Student Fees and Accommodation Costs
We may be able to pay for your student fees and accommodation, to reduce the money pressures of going to university. If you would like more information on what support is available if you want to stay in education, have a chat with your social worker.
Bursary
You could also receive the Higher Education Bursary if you go to university. This is a sum of money that can be spent on things you may need to help you with your studies.
Lots of universities with the ‘Quality Mark’ will also offer a Care Leavers Bursary on top of this. To find out if a university has the Quality Mark, you can ask the designated university staff member when you are applying.