Whilst not really a benefit, if you have children then you can still get Child Benefit and Children's Tax Credit. These, together with my wife's part time income help a bit with my living costs. Having worked for all the 16 odd years before my modular course I don't feel too bad claiming these!
I'm in Scotland, and there is something called Learn Direct where they give you £200 for part/full time study. It is advertised on TV and gives the impression that you just ring up and get the £200. All well and good if you are doing advanced whale watching basket weaving - but of course, CPL/ATPL doesn't qualify as a recognised course of learning.
- Oh and Career Development Loans (Barclays) turned me down because they said I was too affluent. !!!??!!!
Don't get me started on other European Countries giving ATPL students grants and allowing the cost of training to be offset against income tax for the first 5 years of employment.....grrrrrrrrr