Exam & Tuition Fees
You will not pay tuition or exam fees if:
1. you are aged 16-18 (under 19 on 31 August 2009) enrolling to an LSC funded course
2. you are over 19 on 31 August 2009 and you are in receipt of income-based benefits at the start of your course. Income based benefits include:
• Job Seekers allowance
• Working Tax Credit (if household income is under £15,276)
• Income Support
• Council Tax Benefit (not single occupier)
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Unwaged dependants of the above and on Jobseekers Allowance
3. you are looking to study your first full Level 2 qualification
4. you are 19-25 years old and looking to study your first full Level 3 qualification
There are many types of financial support available including:
Education Maintenance Allowance
Students aged 16 - 18 enrolled on a full time course (12 hours or more a week), may be entitled to a weekly allowance of up to £30 per week during term time, subject to household income assessment. Payment is subject to attendance and behaviour. Bonus payments may also be available subject to progression and achievement.
For further information and an application pack please contact the EMA Helpline on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/ema
Adult Learning Grant
Students aged 19 or over enrolled to a full time course (over 12 hours per week), studying for their first Level 2 or Level 3 qualification may be entitled to a weekly allowance of £30 during term time. Subject to joint or single income assessment. Payment is subject to attendance and behaviour. Students must not be receiving support from other government grants/training allowances, e.g. JSA/Income Support.
For further information and an application pack please contact the ALG – Learner Support Service on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.direct.gov.uk
Learner Support Fund
This fund helps to support learners with the cost of studying, eg. books, equipment, kits and other learning costs. To be eligible learners must be enrolled and attending an LSC funded programme. All applications are means tested based on household income. Due to limited funding the College cannot guarantee to support every application it receives. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Please contact Student Services for further information on 01226 216114 / 01226 216267
Professional & Career Development Loans
If you are looking to return to study, Professional & Career Development Loans could help you to pay for learning which enhances your job skills or career prospects. You are able to borrow an amount between £300 and £10,000 from participating banks.
Professional & Career Development Loans are bank loans so you do have to pay the loan back once you have completed your course. You do not pay interest on the loan for the period that you are in learning.
For further information and an application pack please contact 0800 585 505 or www.direct.gov.uk/PCDL