Choosing a course at College can help shape your future. However, you may be worried about costs associated with attending College like buying books and equipment or travel expenses. Don't worry, there is help available. As a student aged between 16 and 19 you may be eligible for financial support to help you with your studies. Depending on your financial circumstances and your attendance at College, here's some of the support you could receive...

EMA can provide you with up to £30 per week (depending on your household income) to support with course materials, equipment and transport costs. Weekly payments are based upon full attendance and good performance at College. If you are particularly successful on your course, you could earn bonuses of up to £500*!

For full details of EMA, visit http://ema.direct.gov.uk/

*payable over two years subject to satisfactory behaviour and course progression

As well as EMA funding, the College has a small pot of money to offer additional support to students experiencing financial hardship. The amount you could receive is variable and depends on your family's household income and the number of days you attend College. These funds could support you with material and equipment fees throughout your course.

If you are a young parent aged between 16 and 20 you may be eligible for help with childcare costs. The amount you could receive is currently £ per child per week. More information about this support is available at http://caretolearn.lsc.gov.uk or you can contact the Learner support helpline on 0800 121 8989 for more information.

Want a career in the Army? If so, you may be eligible for an Army FE Bursary of up to £2,000*! The bursary is aimed at students on a full time full time Level 2 or Level 3 course interested in a career in the Army when they finish their studies.

To find out more or to see if you are eligible to apply, speak to your Connexions advisor or visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk/febursary. Please note that selection for the Army FE Bursary Scheme is at the discretion of the British Army and not Trafford College.

*Payable over two years, subject to attendance at College, performance and completion of phase 1 Army training.

As a College student you can apply for a NUS Extra student discount card. This card costs only £10 and gives you exclusive discounts, promotions and competition offers, designed to make student life more exciting! Companies supporting NUS discounts range from Warehouse to Chester Zoo, Amazon to Ticketmaster, and many more. For more information, visit www.nus.org.uk

Scholar's Permit

To help you get to and from College, you can apply for a Scholars Concessionary Permit to reduce public transport costs. This permit costs £5 and allows students to travel between home and College by bus, rail or metrolink at a discounted rate. For more information on this permit or to download an application form, visit www.gmpte.com

Season Tickets

Train, tram and bus operators also offer discounted weekly, monthly, termly and annual season tickets for students. These tickets can be used for multiple journeys during the day, evening and at weekends. They can be cheaper than buying single tickets each time you make a journey and buying them in advance means your trip is hassle free andno need to check you have the correct change when boarding the bus! You can also travel further with a bus season ticket, not just between home and college. You can travel into the city centre, the Trafford Centre or anywhere in Greater Manchester on any service run by the operator.

System One

These travel cards can be used on virtually all public transport services in Greater Manchester, regardless of which company runs them. If you are aged 16 - 26 and in full time education you need to get a System One student membership card (free) to buy student bus tickets, which are available as weekly, monthly and annual passes.

Where to buy?

You can purchase the above ticketsfrom the following:

• Paypoint Outlets (www.paypoint.co.uk)
• GMPTE Travel Shops (www.gmpte.com)
• Individual operators such as Arriva and Stagecoach
• The Driver when you board the bus
• Station / Platform

For more information about how to get to College click here.