Will the Government provide a summary of the financial support available to further education students compared with higher education students?
A direct comparison is not possible due to the variance in product type. The below provides a summary of the financial support available to further and higher education students in academic year 2024/25.
Further Education (FE) (post 16)
FE course fees are usually met by the Welsh Government for 16-19 year olds. Most FE colleges also offer free or discounted tuition to learners from low income families, disabled learners and learners on benefits. Some colleges may charge an administration fee when enrolling.
Grants are provided via the means-tested Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Scheme (aged 16-18), and the Welsh Government Learning Grant (Further Education) Scheme (aged 19+). For further information, please refer to the Student Finance Wales website.
Financial Contingency Funds are allocated to FE Colleges in Wales to provide hardship funds. Each college sets its own application and eligibility criteria, and students must apply directly to the college.
The MyTravel Pass provides eligible 16 to 21 year olds with up to a third off bus travel in Wales. It can be used for travel to school, college, work or leisure.
Higher Education
The Welsh Government provides a wide range of loans and grants for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students. For information about higher education student finance products, please refer to the Student Finance Wales website.
Healthcare students may be eligible for the NHS Wales Bursary for the NHS Students Award Services.Social Work students may be eligible for a Social Work Bursary from Social Care Wales.
Universities provide their own undergraduate and postgraduate hardship funds, scholarships and bursaries.