This section contains information for both Further Education and Higher Education for adults.

Further Education (FE) Fees
Full-time tuition fees for students aged 19+ are dependant on the course. Please contact our enrolment team in Student Services for details of fees for the course you are interested in studying. If you are on certain benefits, these fees may be waived. You may have to pay examination, registration and materials fees on top. You can apply for help from the Learner Support Fund (Access Fund) for these costs.

There are fees for part-time FE courses. If you receive certain benefits then tuition fees may be waived. You may still be liable for any other fees, such as exams, but you can apply to the Access Fund for help towards these costs.

Students studying for less than six hours will not normally be eligible for help. Exceptions may be made for childcare or high travel/equipment costs. This may be subject to change for future academic years.

Adult Learners’ Grant (ALG)
The ALG is a means-tested allowance of up £30 per week for adults in England.

Eligibility:

• You must be studying at least 12 hours a week
• You must be 19 or over
• It must be your first Level 2 or Level 3 course
• You must be on a low income benefit e.g Tax Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
• You must not be receiving any other education allowance e.g EMA, New Deal or Apprenticeship.

For more information or an application form please contact the ALG helpline on 0800 121 8989 or alternatively Sue Woolhouse in Student Finance, Phoenix Building on Tel: 07193 498228.

Learner Support Fund (Access Fund)
This is a fund that can help students financially through their course and any allocation will depend on family circumstances. You may be able to get help towards childcare, equipment and material costs. If you are awarded a termly allocation your attendance will be checked with your tutor before releasing your 2nd & 3rd terms’ money. You will have two weeks from the issue date to collect your payments.

Allocations are conditional on attendance and conduct and if you withdraw from your course you may be expected to repay all or part of your award. In the last term you will have to provide proof of any benefits again (if applicable).

The Access Fund is open to all FE students but applications will be assessed by rules and regulations set out by the college and the awarding bodies. Access Awards are based on an academic year and there is no guarantee of the same level of funding being available for continuing years.

Application forms are available from Student Services and a new application form must be completed for each year of study. If an application is made after the first term, any financial support given will be from the date the application is received by the Student Finance Office.

Childcare
If you wish to apply for help towards the cost of childcare whilst you are studying then help may be available through the Access Fund, ‘Care To Learn scheme’ or Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work (please ask Student Services for more information).

The college also has its own registered daycare nursery, “Little Stars” at North Star. For further information on please contact the Nursery Manager, on Tel: 01793 498430.

Career Development Loans
This is a deferred repayment loan providing individuals with help to fund vocational education or training. You must be aged 18 or over. For more information please visit www.direct.gov.uk

Higher Education (HE) Fees - Part time students
For higher education students. The fees for part-time students vary depending on the course and details can be found in the college prospectus. For information on Student Loans and Grants go to www.direct.gov.uk/student finance or Tel: 0845 607 7577.

Students will be responsible for paying the fees themselves, but can apply for a grant through their local authority. If paying yourself, an instalment plan can be arranged by contacting College Finance on Tel 01793 498338, Pegasus Building, Room 2.25.

If you have not already applied for your Financial Support Package you must do so immediately by contacting your local authority. They will be able to provide you with information about the options available to you. You will need to bring your local authority correspondence with you to enrolment so that we know how your fees are being paid.