Families in San Miguel de Abona in the south of Tenerife can now apply for education grants worth up to €900 per student, as the Council has introduced three schemes covering pupils from nursery school through to university and postgraduate studies.

The grants are aimed at families experiencing financial difficulties and are designed to help cover the costs associated with the start of the new academic year, including school supplies, textbooks, transport and, in some cases, accommodation.

The three schemes were published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (BOP) yesterday, Friday 21st August, and applicants have 15 working days from the day after publication (today) to submit their applications.

The funding is divided into three categories:

Infant, Primary and Secondary education;

Bachillerato and vocational training courses;

University and postgraduate studies.

Up to €900 for Bachillerato and vocational students

A total budget of €62,000 has been allocated to students studying Bachillerato or vocational training courses (ciclos formativos).

Individual grants can be worth up to €900 and can be used towards expenses incurred at the beginning of the academic year, including school supplies, textbooks and transport passes.

Applicants must be enrolled on a classroom-based course at a public education centre and must have been officially registered as residents (empadronados) in San Miguel de Abona for at least one year before applying.

The family's monthly income per person must not exceed €900, equivalent to 1.5 times the monthly IPREM reference figure of €600.

Other circumstances will also be taken into consideration when assessing applications, including whether the applicant belongs to a large family or single-parent household, or whether a member of the household has a recognised disability of at least 33%.

Up to €600 for younger pupils

The largest overall budget has been allocated to families with children attending the second stage of Infant Education, Primary School or Secondary School.

A total of €185,000 is available under this scheme, with individual grants worth up to €600.

The money is intended primarily to help families pay for school supplies and textbooks at the start of the new academic year.

Again, applicants must have been registered as residents of San Miguel de Abona for at least one year before applying, while household income per person must not exceed €900 per month.

Grants also available for university students

A third scheme has been announced for students enrolled on classroom-based university and postgraduate courses.

The Council has allocated a total budget of €88,000 to this category, with funding available towards school or university materials, textbooks, transport passes and accommodation costs.

However, there is currently some confusion regarding the maximum amount an individual university or postgraduate student can receive.

The official BOP notice reportedly contains a discrepancy, stating in words that the maximum grant is €300, while the figure shown in brackets is €1,700.

Students are therefore advised to wait for clarification from San Miguel de Abona Council regarding the correct maximum amount rather than relying on either figure.