If you're aged 16-19 and at school or college, you might be able to get help with money.

There are different kinds of help you might be able to get, including:

• Education Maintenance Allowance
• further education award to study at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
• help if you have to live away from home in order to study

Educational Maintenance Allowance

If you are staying on at school or going to college in 2011-2012 and you are aged between 16-19 you may be eligible for an Education and Maintenance Allowance of up to £30 per week.

Full details can be found in Department of Employment and Learning booklet: The little book of EMA on their website www.delni.gov.uk.

Further Education support from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)

If you are a full-time student at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, DARD will pay your tuition fees in full. You may also be eligible for financial support for your living costs and help with childcare.

For a guide to the financial support available and an application form, see the DARD website www.dardni.gov.uk.

Further Education Award Scheme

You can apply to the Further Education Award Scheme if you are under 19, your home is in Northern Ireland and you have to live away from home in order to study your course. You can be studying in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales or the Republic of Ireland. The course must last at least one academic year and meet certain criteria.  

You can find full details, including a list of the approved courses, at www.education-support.org.uk.