£20 lifeline for skint students

STUDENTS Fathahul Ansari, Jade Sherlock, Steve Sutherland at the Study Money launch

STUDENTS from the poorest families will be able to claim £20 a week from September to help them study at Oldham College.

The college has launched Study Money - to help pay for equipment, travel, lunches, books and stationery.

The cash will be available to 16 to 18-year-olds from households earning less than £21,000 a year — and will be linked to good attendance, punctuality, progress, performance and achievement.

The scheme follows the scrapping of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) - the weekly payment of up to £30 was available to students aged 16-19 in families earning under £30,800 a year.

In a recent staff briefing the college said abolition of the EMA, changes to free education for adults and a reduction in funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages had affected its ability to recruit students.

Oldham College principal Alun Francis said: “We’re aware that higher transport costs and the economy might put off potential students. Study Money is here to help those learners who need it the most.”

Oldham MPs Michael Meacher and Debbie Abrahams and council leader Jim McMahon visited Oldham College for the scheme’s launch.

Mrs Abrahams said: “It’s tough for young people from low income families who want to stay in education or training.

“Every time I’ve visited the college, students have spoken of the impact losing EMA has had on them. The college’s commitment to help students with Study Money will be a lifeline for many young people in Oldham.”

Councillor McMahon added: “Study Money gives children of low-income families another affordable route into education that would otherwise not have been there for them. This is an excellent scheme.”

Applications will open shortly.

Information from student services at www.oldham.ac.uk