The Formentera Department of Education is pleased to report that individuals enrolled in school off the island and those completing studies in higher education can now apply for financial aid. Applicants have till 8 September to send their requests to the Citizen Information Office [OAC] or the Virtual Citizen Information Office [OVAC]. Forms and details about the aid are available on the Consell de Formentera website, and specific inquiries can be directed here.

According to education chief Susana Labrador, Formentera’s government hopes to offset the drawbacks, once and twice compounded, which were endured by islanders who were studying off the island during the 2020-2021 school year. She also highlighted brand-new assistance for students who faced economic hardship as a result of the coronavirus crisis. All told, €80,000 will be available to the following individuals:

- Students enrolled in an academic programme on Eivissa or distance learning at a university
(maximum individual award: €150).
- Students enrolled in an academic programme outside the Pine Islands
(maximum individual award: €500).
- Students enrolled in in-person learning off the island and whose families faced economic hardship in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 crisis
(maximum individual award provided economic and academic conditions are met: €1,000).

Student aid for higher education
The island’s government also provides help for residents who were enrolled in a higher education programme during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. “Again, we’ve opened up emergency assistance for students left over a barrel by Covid-19”, said Labrador. She said the point of the aid was to offset the “double and triple insularity” faced by local participants in higher education, technical certification programmes, vocational training, post-secondary studies and art programmes which are not offered on Formentera. All told, €37,500 will be available in the following three categories:

1 – Higher ed programmes in 2019-2020 (ten €1,250 grants).
2 – Higher ed programmes in 2020-2021 (ten €1,250 grants).
3 – Emergency Covid-19 assistance in 2020-2021 (ten €1,250 grants).

Applications will be accepted at the OAC Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 2.00pm, and Thursdays between 4.0opm and 6.00pm. They may also be submitted electronically on the OVAC (located here).

The current aid package follows two other lines of assistance that were announced earlier in the month for students and schools. That assistance totalled €60,000 and went to support a recycled textbook and teaching material programme and an initiative to facilitate digitisation and computer purchases.

27 July 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera