Case Studies
Christopher McLaughlin, 19, West Yorkshire
Leeds student Christopher is currently using ALG to help support him through a one year foundation course at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. The 19-year-old hopes one day to work as a professional dancer on TV or stage.
Christopher said he would have struggled to pursue his dreams with the £30 a week he receives through ALG.
"I'd really recommend Adult Learning Grant to other students...Being on a foundation course means I'm not eligible for a student loan, and although, I receive a bursary from my college and have a job as a part time cleaner, I'd still struggle to make ends meet if I didn't have the grant. I use the money to help with everything - from rent, bus travel and food to stationery and dance gear. It really does make a difference."
Rachel Harle, 23, Essex
23 year old Rachel Harle from Essex is already taking advantage of ALG. She is currently doing an Access to Higher Education Course at Chelmsford College and is in the process of applying to Anglia Ruskin University to do a three year degree in midwifery.
Rachel said:
"I always wanted to be a midwife but when I was at school I didn't think I had the brains to do it. So when I left at 16 with a few GCSEs I had no idea what I was going to do...so I spoke to the Careers Advice Service who told me about the Access Course and about ALG and he gave me a plan of action..."
"ALG has definitely been a huge help. It's a real comfort knowing that it's going into my bank account each week. And it's really helped me out with petrol costs"
John Paul Howarth, 24
Durham student, John Paul Howarth has entered the world of sport thanks to ALG. For the former soldier ALG has meant the chance to study Sport Performance and Excellence at Bishop Auckland College, paving the way to becoming a PE teacher.
John said:
"I have done a few temporary jobs since leaving the Army but my main passion is sport. This grant goes a long way to helping out with travel costs. Without it there is no way I would have been able to my Level 3 Sport Course. I am really enjoying it and hope to be a teacher one day."
Albert Smith, 26, North West
Former tattoo artist, Albert Smith, took the plunge to return to education at Trafford College, eight years after dropping out of his A levles. Albert hopes to pursue a course in metallurgy, and heas already successfully completed his evening course in welding and car spraying. After completing his year long Access to Higher Education (science) course at Trafford College, he hopes to enrol for a material science or engineering degree at the University of Manchester.
He said:
"I dropped out of college when I was 18 and became a tattoo artist, but I also wanted something more. I was always fascinated by science at school but I never took it forward. There is a national shortage of metallurgists and now I'm pursuing a career in a subject I find fascinating."
"If anyone out there is not satified in their job and keen to retrain by returning to college I would tell them to go for it, as long as they've done their research and know realistically there are jobs in the chosen field. It's never too late to return to education, and if you are going back to college find out if you are eligible for the Adult Learning Grant"
