Funding for individuals
Whether you’re starting out or want to develop your current skills, training or CPD (continual professional development) can be costly both in terms of paying for your training and giving up your time towards it. There are several ways that you can fund or at least part-fund your own training. Browse the options below to find out which options are open to you:
- Grants & funding awards
- Government funding
- Funding from your employer
- Professional and career development loans
- Training whilst not working
- Training whilst unemployed
- Useful guides and resources
- Useful links
Although many grants and awards are on offer in the arts sector, a great many of them are targeted at organisations. The Sector Skills Council has a comprehensive online list of grant-making trusts, education grants and professional awards, available to individuals on their website, but we have listed some funding programmes below:
- Arts Council
The arts council has a grants scheme in place for individuals working the arts sector. Individuals can apply for grants for arts-related purposes, including professional development and training. For more information, visit the Arts Council website.
- Unions and membership bodies
Remember that if you have joined a union or membership organisation such as the Musicians’ Union or the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund, they may be able to help with funding. Browse through our links section to find out which membership bodies are out there.
- Government funding
Further and higher education
If you are interested in Higher Education (HE) or Further Education (FE), you may be eligible for a grant. Course costs are normally paid by your local education authority (LEA) and/or parental/personal contributions. Contact your LEA to find out if you can apply for funding. If you are unsure where your local education authority is based, search the Department for Children, Schools and Families website.
The Education Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) also offers guidance and advice on funding for anyone studying in post-16 education in the UK.
- Tax credits
Although tax credits are not directly linked to funding for training, they can help with childcare costs. If your working on a low or middle income, you might be eligible for a ‘Working Families” or “Childcare” tax credit. For more information, phone the tax credit helpline on: 0845 609 5000.
- Teacher training
The government currently has a bursary scheme in place for those who are training to become teachers. As music is a shortage subject, you may be able to benefit from the Secondary Shortage Subject Scheme (SSSS). The maximum award granted under this scheme is £6000. As it falls into the category of the hardship fund, you will have to contact your college or university to see if you are eligible.
For more information about funding your training as a teacher, visit the Teacher Training Agency website.
If you are employed by an organisation, your current employer may be able to fund your training/CPD in part or in full. Many organisations have a staff development policy, so check with your employer to see if this is the case and find out what kind of opportunities are open to you.
Organisations will often have a limit on how much training an employee can undergo per year. This is usually put in place to comply with budget restrictions and to ensure that all staff are offered equal training opportunities. You may find that the training your organisation pay for is conditional. For example many organisations will require you to remain in their employment for a certain amount of time after your training has been completed. If you choose to leave your employment before this time or during your training, you will often be expected to incur any remaining costs. Your training could take the form of any of the following:
- On the job training
- Secondment
- Out of office hours training
- Adult apprenticeships
For more information on apprenticeship schemes, click here.
Professional and Career development loans
Professional and Career Development Loans (formerly Career Development Loans) are specifically for people undertaking vocational education or learning. The scheme allows learners to borrow a commercial bank loan of any amount between £300 and £10 000 to help support the cost of learning. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will pay the interest on the loan while the learner is in learning and for one month afterwards. Learners must then start to repay the loan, which is at a reduced rate, when they finish studying, whether or not they complete their course or get a job. Learners with savings of up to £16 000 will now be eligible to apply for the loans. For more information, visit www.direct.gov.uk/pcdl or http://pcdl.lsc.gov.uk/
If you are unemployed and looking to develop your skills, there are a number of ways to support your training needs. There are support funds in place at lots of further education colleges and some other education providers, so if you know where you want to study or train, it’s a good idea to speak to staff at the college or education centre about what support is available to you. You could for instance be eligible for the following:
- Childcare support fund
This is available to lone parents or students who are either on benefits or a low income. The fund allows certain training and education centres to offer free or subsidised childcare on site. The fund can also assist you with payment for other means of childcare such as crèches and childminders. Contact you college or education centre to find out if they offer this scheme.
- Access fund
Access funds are available to students of all ages (including refugees) to assist them in paying for the cost of studying. This funding doesn’t stretch to living expenses, but does cover the cost of books, transport and fees. You will need to speak to the welfare officer at the college or centre that you are studying at. Check firstly that they offer this scheme and if you are eligible.
- Hardship fund
For students facing serious financial problems, the hardship fund can help to pay your course fees, exam costs and other associated finances. You will need to contact your college or education centre to see if they have this scheme in place.
- New Deal
There are two versions of the New Deal. The New Deal for Young People (NDYP) is aimed at 18-24 years olds, whilst the New Deal 25 plus is aimed, as the name suggests, at people 25 years of age and above. Both programmes help people who have been unemployed for a certain amount of time to get back into the work force. There are also New deal programmes for over 50’s, the disabled and lone parents. For more information, visit the New Deal website.
- Career development loans
If you have been unemployed for more than three months, a career development loan will be able to cover up to 80% of your course fees. You don’t have to replay the loan until you have completed your studies, so the pressure is off while you study. If you are claiming other benefits, be sure to check that a career development loan doesn’t affect your benefit entitlements. It is advisable to speak to the office that pays you your benefits before you apply for a career development loan.
For more information on career development loans, visit the Life Long Learning website.
- “Money to Learn” – a DfES booklet which outlines the routes available to those seeking funding
for training, whether employed, unemployed or studying full-time. Visit the Life Long Learning website to view or order a copy.
