Learner support
Discretionary Learner Support
Discretionary Learner Support Funds can be used to help students with the costs associated with further education which may include course fees, childcare, transport costs, trips and other equipment.
It is targeted at those in greatest need. Priority groups for these funds include students with disabilities and / or learning difficulties, those leaving care, probationers and students reaching 19 and losing benefits during their courses.
The Skills Funding Agency has now published the 2011/12 updated Adult Learner Support Discretionary Funding Guidance (updated 5 July 2011).
This document also includes an annex detailing the arrangements for continuing learners who will qualify for the Adult Learning Grant in 2011/12, following the merger of the Adult Learning Grant and Discretionary Learner Support schemes in this academic year.
Any queries should be directed to your Relationship Manager in the first instance.
You can find further guidance, answers to frequently asked questions and links to further information on the scheme on the Discretionary Learner Support Funds website.
Discretionary Learner Support Mid-Year Funding Forecast 2012
In line with the published Discretionary Learner Support (DLS) guidance documentation, all providers in receipt of DLS funding are asked to submit their second In-Year forecast by close of business on 6 February 2012.
The
Discretionary Learner Support Second In-Year Funding Forecast 2012 form should be completed (input into yellow cells only) and returned to the Central Delivery Service team mailbox no later than the above date. This allows the Agency to use these estimates to adjust allocations in year where appropriate. Any identified surplus funds from providers may be removed and recycled to support those providers with budget pressures. However any additional funding cannot be guaranteed.
Professional and Career Development Loan
A Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial bank loan to help pay for learning that will improve the employability of the learner or lead them into employment.
Those offering information, advice and guidance or support to learners wishing to apply for a Professional and Career Development Loan can visit the Professional and Career Development Loan website.
You will find supporting documentation to help you to discuss the programme with learners and details of how to register as a valid learning provider with the programme.
Adult Learning Grant
From August 2011 the Adult Learning Grant budget will be combined with discretionary learner support, and allocated directly to colleges and training providers for them to distribute to those learners most in need. No current learners receiving Adult Learning Grant, and whose courses are continuing, will lose out as they will continue to receive payments during 2011/12.
A question and answer document is now available.
