Funding Guidance from 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2022
Learners must be 19 years or older on 31 August 2021.
Full Funding is available from The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and European Social Fund (ESF) in the following cases:
- Unemployed, actively seeking work and in receipt of JSA, ESA (WRAG) or Universal Credit earning less than £338 in one of the work related activity groups
- Unemployed, actively seeking work, earning less than £338 per month, in receipt of a relevant benefit (Housing Benefit, Council Tax, Working Tax Credits or Income Support) and want to progress to more sustainable employment
- Employed, earning less than £17,364.50 per year, unable to meet the cost of the course and able to provide evidence of annual salary.
Not included are Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Disability Living Allowance or PIP (Personal Independence Payment).
You will need to provide evidence of any benefits dated one month before the course start date.
If you are employed and under the threshold detailed above we would require three months of payslips ahead of starting the course.
Funding is not available to employees or volunteers who also work at their setting.
Learners must be resident in the UK or any EU country for three years.
Co-funding is available in the following cases:
- Unemployed and not actively seeking work.
- Employed earning less than £17,364.50 and unable to provide evidence that you are unable to meet course costs.
- Employed earning more than £17,364.50.
Course costs
- Distance Learning £50 if co-funded
- Level 2 Support Work in Schools £200 if co-funded
- Level 2 EYP* or STL* £1,250 (£675 co-fund)
- Level 3 Homebased Childcare £300 (£50 if funded by Early Years Bursary)
- Level 3 EYP* or STL* £1,800
- Level 4 EYP* or STL* £800 (Further details below)*
*The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and European Social Fund (ESF) will fund a first full Level 3 for 19 - 23 year olds - Learners must be 19 years or older on 31 August 2021.
*Learner Loans are not available.
*Enquire with BTAC to ask about potential funding for Level 3 and 4 Early Years courses.
*STL – Supporting Teaching and Learning (TA).
*EYP – Early Years Practitioner.
We ask for a deposit to secure your place and the remaining course fees can be paid by direct debit instalments of 10, 12 or 18 months, depending on the length of your course.
All applications are subject to availability of funding and eligibility.
If you have any queries please contact us:
Email: nvqhelp@bedford.gov.uk
Tel: 01234 276390