The Student Support Fund is paid by the Learning & Skills Council to Access to Music to provide financial help to students who might not be able to start or continue with their course because of financial difficulties.

Please note that funds are limited and we recommend you also apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance (if aged 16-18) or an Adult Learning Grant (if aged 19 or over). If you require money for a place to live then please apply to the Residential Support Scheme. There is also the Care to Learn scheme, Career Development Loans and the BBC offer Fame Academy Bursaries.

If you want to apply, please read the following criteria carefully to see if you are eligible. Priority will be given to students who are:

• in receipt of benefits or dependent on someone who is;
• on a low income (under £12,000 a year) or dependent on someone who is;
• disabled or with learning difficulties;
• lone parents.

If you have an income of over £12,000 (or are dependent on someone who has) you may receive a partial award.

Please also note: should you apply for financial assistance and have outstanding course fees to pay, the balance may be deducted from your award.

HOW TO APPLY

• Travel forms will be sent to you with your Induction information in August 2008.
• Childcare forms available on request from August 2008.

Need to talk to someone? Please call Access to Music Student Support on 0116 242 6888 or email lisa.mcmenemy@accesstomusic.co.uk

 

 

Most awards are made to help ATM students travel to their chosen centre. Many ATM students have to travel much further than if they were going to a local college. To make sure that we are allocating money fairly to everyone who meets the criteria, we have had to set an upper limit on the amount we can award. The deadline for applications is Friday 26th September 2008.

• ATM reserves the right not to award any monies if you have all or part outstanding course fees.
• Awards will only be considered if you live more than 15 miles away from your ATM centre OR your travel costs are more than £20 a week.
• You must provide evidence of cost (e.g. train/bus ticket etc.)
• Awards will not be made if there is a closer centre to you running the same course and level.
• Those in receipt of EMA, ALG, RSS or CDL will not be awarded any further monies.
• Your award will reflect any local or national subsidies available, e.g. Young Persons Railcard, bus passes, etc. For those travelling by car, the cost of public transport equivalence will be awarded if successful.
• Awards are made per half term and will not exceed 75% of your total costs per term.
• Please do not rely solely on this award to get you to your centre.
• For those in receipt of EMA/ALG, in certain circumstances where your daily/weekly cost exceeds the external financial aid, we may look at a further 'top-up'. To be eligible for any 'top-up' you must state in writing your reasons for request.

 

 

• Awards for childcare are paid direct to Ofsted registered child minders / nurseries only.
• Payments only cover the days you attend your ATM course.
• All awards are subsidised – you will have to contribute 10% of the weekly cost.
• The maximum award per child for the year may not exceed £5,125.
• Payments commence from the receipt of application and no monies will be backdated.

 

 

All awards are made subject to your attendance. We will monitor your attendance and progress on your course. If your average attendance in a half term falls below 80% (75% for childcare applications only) you will either not receive an award for the next term, or receive a partial award relating to the percentage you have attended.

If you stop attending altogether and withdraw from your course, you will be expected to repay part or all of the funding you have been awarded.