Surrey County Council offers the following transport support to Surrey students’

Follow these links to find out more information on these topics: -

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
LA Transport Scheme
Student Fare Card
Special Education Needs
Learner Support (Access) Fund
Wheels 2 Learn scheme
 

 Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

1. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is worth up to £30 a week and it's paid straight into your bank account.  EMA can help students with the cost of books, travel, equipment or anything useful to continue learning.  EMA is for students aged 16-18. 
2. To apply for EMA ask your school or college for an EMA application pack or contact the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989.  Further information is available on http://ema.direct.gov.uk/
3. For details of additional help with home to school or college transport costs for students receiving an EMA in 2009/10 see LA Transport Scheme.

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LA TRANSPORT SCHEME

1. The LA transport scheme is for students who do not live on bus or rail service routes and who travel to school/college by either contract vehicle (usually a coach) or who require reimbursement of charges for petrol. 
2. The LA is also operating a scheme for students who qualify for the maximum grant of £30 each week from the EMA. These students may apply for a reimbursement of part of their travel costs if their fare to school/college would be more than £10 per week, using a Surrey Student Bus/Train Fare Card wherever possible.  Students receiving EMA at the £10 or £20 weekly rate do not qualify for help under this pilot scheme.
   
3. All students must fulfil the following criteria:
   Be attending:
   • The nearest Surrey Further Education College, or 
   • The nearest Surrey Sixth Form College / school with sixth form, or
   • The nearest establishment which offers the appropriate course
     And:
   • Are in full-time education
   • Are resident in the administrative area of Surrey, that is comprised of the following boroughs/districts:
     • Elmbridge
   • Epsom & Ewell
   • Guildford
   • Mole Valley
   • Reigate & Banstead
   • Runnymede
   • Spelthorne
   • Surrey Heath
   • Tandridge
   • Waverley
   • Woking
     
   • Are living more than 3 miles from and attending the nearest school/college by the shortest walking route.
     
   • Students are required to contribute £3 per day towards their travel costs.  NB: students travelling on school contract coaches will be invoiced termly/half termly in advance (£190 per term equivalent to £3 per day). For students receiving the maximum DfES EMA grant who qualify under the LA scheme the cost will be £127 per term (equivalent to £10 per week).
   • To obtain further details of the LA Transport Scheme phone the Surrey County Council Contact Centre on 03456 009 009.
   • Students not eligible for subsidised transport under the scheme, if there are exceptional circumstances or hardship they may have their case reviewed by the Transport Case Review Panel.  For information please phone the Surrey County Council Contact Centre on 03456 009 009.

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STUDENT FARE CARD

BUS & TRAIN

1. For students aged between 16–18 (students must be aged 16 but under 19 on the 1 September of the year of application).
2. The fare cards cost £10.00 each for the academic year 2009/10.  The cards last for the whole academic year.
3. You may only apply for both a Bus & Train Student Fare Card if you need to use both modes of transport daily to complete your journey.
4. Students must fulfil the following criteria:
   
   • Are in full-time further education
   • Are resident in the administrative area of Surrey, that is comprised of the following boroughs/districts
     
   • Elmbridge
   • Epsom & Ewell
   • Guildford
   • Mole Valley
   • Reigate & Banstead
   • Runnymede
   • Spelthorne
   • Surrey Heath
   • Tandridge
   • Waverley
   • Woking
     
5. For further information and conditions about the bus and train student fare card click on the following links
   Bus Student Fare Card / Train Student Fare Card

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SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

1. For SEN students, if they meet the eligibility criteria by virtue of SEN needs or distance, free transport is available between home and any special needs school/college for the journey to school/college in the morning and return in the afternoon.
2. For SEN students attending an FE College, they can apply for transport assistance.  Once a student transfers to an FE establishment then their statement is no longer valid.  If eligible for transport assistance, students will be required to make a financial contribution of £190 per term.  If they don't meet the eligibility criteria then they can benefit from schemes such as the EMA, LA scheme and Bus & Train Student Fare Card scheme.
3. Additional Learner Support Funding may be available through your college.
4. For post-19 pupils and students should initially discuss their transport arrangements with Connexions who will advise them of potential options.

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LEARNER SUPPORT (ACCESS) FUND

1. For students aged between 16–18 who are in need of additional financial support to help with course costs.
2. Students must attend a sixth form at a local authority maintained school or a public sector further education college (including sixth form college).
3. Students attending Surrey County Council maintained schools should contact the Head of sixth form for more information.  Students attending college should contact college Student Services or Welfare Advisors.

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