Welsh Government Learning Grants (further education): September 2017 to August 2018

The data, based on applications received by 31 July 2018, are correct as at 1 August 2018.

Main points

• There was a decrease in the number of successful applications in 2017/18 compared with 2016/17. This resulted in £5.6 million being paid out in Welsh Government Learning Grants (WGLG) to further education (FE) students in 2017/18, compared to the £5.8 million that was paid out in 2016/17.
• In total, 6,045 students in FE applied for a WGLG in 2017/18, a decrease of 3% on 2016/17. Of these 5,145 applications were successful, a decrease of 5% on 2016/17.
• The breakdown of successful applications across full-time and part-time students favoured full-time even more than recent years. 4,760 (92%) of successful applications were from full-time students and 350 (7%) of successful applications were from part-time students.
• Successful applications equate to 85% of applications received. This proportion has decreased slightly from 87% in 2016/17. The proportion of successful applications from full-time students remains very high at around 98%, with the corresponding figure for part-time students at 85%.
• 3,700 (78%) of successful full-time applications and 280 (81%) of successful part-time applications were from students with a residual income of £6,120 or less, and were therefore awarded the full grant amounts of £1,500 and £750 respectively. These proportions have changed little since 2008/09.
• 2,015 (42%) of successful full-time applications and 65 (19%) of successful part-time applications were from students aged 21 or under.