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<p>Students and young people participating in vocational education or training that
are homeless may access a range of financial support to help them to participate.</p><p>Students
aged 16-19, or aged up to 25 with an education, health and care (EHC) plan may be
able to receive support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund. This supports financially disadvantaged
students, helping them remain in education or training, and supports them in meeting
costs associated with studying, such as travel, books, equipment, and trips. In the
2022/23 academic year the department allocated nearly £144 million for institutions
to help these students. In addition, the department has made available Bursary Funds
of over £21 million for vulnerable 16–19-year-old students (such as those who are
in care, care leavers and those who are supporting themselves and claiming benefits).
The department has also made over £31 million available for free meals in further
education, as well as childcare and residential support where needed.</p><p>The department
wants more young people to benefit from apprenticeships that offer high quality training
and opportunities for progression. The department is increasing investment in apprenticeships
to £2.7 billion by 2024/25 and continuing to offer £1,000 payments to employers when
they hire apprentices aged 16 to18, or those aged 19 to 24 who are care leavers or
have an EHC plan.</p><p>The Adult Education Budget (AEB), worth £1.34 billion in the
2022/23 academic year, fully funds or co-funds skills provision for eligible adults
aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need
for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.</p><p>The AEB includes funding to
enable colleges and providers to help adult learners, including those who are homeless,
to overcome barriers which prevent them from taking part in learning. This includes
Learner Support for learners aged over 19 with a specific financial hardship, where
providers have discretion to help learners meet the costs associated with studying.
Learning Support also enables colleges and training providers to meet the additional
needs of learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and meet the costs
of reasonable adjustments as set out in the Equality Act 2010. Learning Support can
cover a range of needs including an assessment for dyslexia, funding to pay for specialist
equipment or helpers, and arranging signers or note takers.</p>
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