Managing your money

Learning to manage your money can be difficult, but there is lots of information to help you, and organisations that you can contact. 

The Connexions Direct money pages have information on student finances, EMA, DSA, childcare and help with budgeting and funding. They also have information on the minimum wage and on debt. 

The Support 4 Learning website has a money mangagement page with Tips for budgeting and links to websites and organisations that can give you information on budgeting, planning your finances, savings, tax and benefits.

If you are looking for funding some of these contact might be able to help

Unltd can be checked out for funding opportunities.  They provide practical and financial support to people who have both the ideas and commitment to develop projects, which will benefit their community.

The Grants for individuals website is compiled by the Directory of Social Change. It contains details of over 3,500 trusts operating both nationally and locally which provide financial assistance for individuals for education or welfare services.

 Money to Learn is information  for 14 -19 year olds who want to continue in education including financial support and incentives. 

Direct.gov also gives information on Student Finance for those looking at higher education, including grants, bursaries and student loans.

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust  awards grants to help British citizens to travel abroad to learn more about the lives and cultures of people overseas.  No more applications can be taken for 2009.   You can get an email reminder about the new categories for applications for 2010 on 13th March 2009.

The Student Loans Company provide loans to students in higher education         

Skill - the National Bureau for students with disabilities is a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK. They have factsheets on funding for study after school which you can download from their website. They also have an information line which you can phone for more information.

The Department for Families, Children and Schools student support webpages have information on student loans, fees, higher education grants, disabled students allowance. You can download guides to help you apply for different allowances.

The Hot Courses Student Money website can help you look for funding, plan your budget and help you think about how you will repay your loans.