| |  | Courses normally come free for 16-19 year olds (but you may need to pay for books and equipment) |
| |  | You may be entitled to help towards travel costs depending on where you live and where you study |
| |  | If your annual household income is less than £30,800 you should qualify for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of £10, £20 or £30 per week. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/moneytolearn or ring the hotline on 0800 121 8989 |
| |  | Extra financial help may be available if you come from a low-income background. Ask your school or college about Learner Support Funds |
| |  | You may be able to claim an allowance if you need to live away from home. This is through the Residential Support Scheme or bursaries offered by colleges |
| |  | Financial help is available for certain dance and drama courses which may involve you studying away from home. |
| |  | If you need money for child care you might get help through Care to Learn. |
| |  | Information about each of these schemes can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/moneytolearn or by ringing the helpline on 0800 121 8989 |
| |  | For more help talk to your school, college, Connexions personal adviser or Somerset Direct Children's Team (0845 3459122) |
| |  | You will be paid a weekly sum if you are employed as an apprentice |
| |  | This will either be an agreed rate for the job or a special apprenticeship wage. It may increase as you get older and pass different stages of your apprenticeship |
| |  | Minimum wage regulations do not apply to all stages of your apprenticeship. This depends on age and how far you have got |
| |  | If you are training with an organisation - but are not employed by it - you might be entitled to an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). This includes training through e2e and programme-led apprenticeships (PLAs) |
| |  | For more about basic pay and allowances see the Apprenticeship and training pay section |
| |  | Your training (for NVQs and similar qualifications) should come free. You may need to pay for books and equipment |
| |  | You may be entitled to help towards travel costs depending on where you live, work or train |
| |  | You may be able to claim a lodgings allowance if you need to live away from home during the week |
| |  | Extra financial help may be available if you come from a low-income background |
| |  | Talk to your Connexions personal adviser - or employment & training adviser - if you have any worries about your pay when doing an apprenticeship or training |