Financial Support
There are costs associated with coming to college - travel, sometimes equipment and uniform and maybe the cost of residential visits.
There are a number of sources of financial support which may be available to your son or daughter to help with these costs. Staff in learner services are available to give you information about these and to help you apply for them.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 16 and 17 year olds studying full-time. They may receive up to £30 a week with bonuses. The scheme is means tested on family income.
Learner Support Funds are managed by the college to help students with course related costs like transport, books or equipment. There is also money to help with childcare. Priority is given to students from families on a means tested benefit or low income.
Charitable Trusts: There are a number who help students with a contribution to the costs of study.
Travel expenses: Full-time16-18 year old students living in Rochdale and travelling more than two miles to college, whose parents receive a qualifying means tested benefit, can claim a refund of travel costs.
H.E. Loans and Grants: Students studying a Higher Education programme at Hopwood may be entitled to help with tuition fees, a repayable loan and non-repayable grants.
Application forms for all of the above are available from the customer services where your son or daughter can also get advice and other information on financial matters. We have jobs boards in the learning resource centres (LRC) advertising part-time jobs for students.