How much will it cost? Fees and financial support

Fees

Registration Fee

All students will pay a Registration Fee of £15 except those aged between 16 -18.

Course Fees

The fee for the course is shown in the Full Fee and Discount Fee columns.
Full Fee is an all inclusive cost including tuition, exams and course registration fees.
Discount Fee is the cost you pay if you are entitled to a fee reduction (see below).
There may be additional charges for activities, such as day trips, or materials, but these will be specific to individual courses.

Full remission of fees

If you are over 16 and under 19 on 31^st August 2008 then your course will be completely FREE.
If you enrol onto an Adult Literacy or Adult Numeracy course, whatever your age, it will be completely FREE.

Part reduction of fees

The fee listed in the Discount Fee column is what you pay if one of the following applies:
You are enrolling onto your first full level 2 course.
You are 19 - 25 years old and enrolling onto your first full level 3 course.
You are in receipt of an income-based benefit:

• Job Seekers' Allowance - Income Based
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit (not single person's allowance)
• Working Tax Credit (with a total income of up to £15,050)
• Pension Credits (Guarantee Credit only)
• Unwaged dependant of those listed above.

You are an asylum seeker or their dependant eligible for LSC FE funding in receipt of the equivalent of income-based benefit.
If you intend to claim a Discount Fee you will need to supply evidence of your eligibility.
Contact College Services for details.

Level 2 and Level 3 entitlement

Our full Level 2 courses: 

Open College Diploma (Prepare for Access)    NVQ 2

Our full Level 3 courses:

Access to HE Diploma    NVQ 3

Financial Support

Adult Learning Grant

You may qualify for an Adult Learning Grant worth up to £30 a week. If you are over 19 and studying full-time (12 hours+ per week) on a first full level 2 or level 3 qualification then ask for more details. Even if you are working part-time or living at home, you could still be entitled to the ALG.

Educational Maintenance Allowance

This can be worth up to £30 a week. If you are under 19 and attending college for more than 12 hours a week and have a family income of less than £30,000 per year, you can apply. It will not affect family benefits. Ask for more details.

Learner Support Funds

If your family income is low or you are in receipt of benefits you can apply to the College Learner Support Fund for help with the cost of course fees, travel and materials. Speak to a member of the College Services team for more information.

ESOL fees

If you are studying an ESOL course and you are not in receipt of an income-based benefit, you will have to pay fees for your course. To find out what help is available speak to a member of the College Services team.

Refunds

The College will not normally refund fees paid unless the College cancels a course. In exceptional circumstances a refund may be considered if a written request is made to the Principal.

Instalments

You will be able to pay your fees in instalments. The minimum instalment of £25 must be paid at the time of enrolment. Please contact a member of the College Services team for more information.

How to apply

You have to apply in person. Many of our courses will require you to have a short and informal interview with a tutor and some will involve a short assessment.

You can get full details and arrange your interview by calling the College - 01274 773310.