COLLEGES in East Lancashire have announced plans to help students after the government axed vital funding grants.

Following cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) college bosses have been working hard to come up with alternative solutions in a bit to ensure that students from low-income families can continue onto college education.

Accrington and Rossendale, Blackburn College and Nelson and Colne College have announced that they would be introducing a variety of new measures.

They include, free breakfasts, a £1 or less daily bus travel, free subsidised sports kits and uniforms, subsidised bus travel, bursary and scholarship schemes and reduced educational trip costs.

Under the EMA scheme between £10 to £30 a week was given to students aged 16 to 19 from low-income families to cover college costs.

In East Lancashire colleges, up to 66 per cent of students received the funding.

Despite the additional help, it is likely to total less than was on offer before.

EMA funding grants were administered centrally but the 530million pot was reduced to £180million by government which was passed onto colleges.

Ian Clinton, principal at Blackburn College, said they wanted to reassure students there was financial support.

He added: “We consulted with them directly and asked them what they needed and wanted and acted accordingly.

“As well as the reduced cost bus passes, we offer subsidisation for uniforms, free breakfasts and £1,200 per year scholarships. These are all ways in which the college can help support its students and make the cost of studying a little easier.”

Accrington and Rossendale College principal, Stephen Carlisle said they had put together a solid package of practical financial help ‘with no small print’.

He said: “We believe that every youngster has the right to a college education and it is our hope that this package will ensure everybody who wants to come to college can come to college, with no exceptions.”

Nelson and Colne College principal Lyn Surgeon added: "We believe that our financial package will provide effective support for the former EMA offering and ensure that our students continue to get the outstanding help they need to achieve the very best."