The adult education budget is designed to help adults gain qualifications to access higher level learning. Funding is also available to bring communities together which allows free courses to be run without qualifications which are linked to local needs. There are a range of financial support services available to all students over 19 years old, to support you with the cost of education. The funding you can claim to support your studies will depend on your personal circumstances, where you live and the course you are studying.
Your personal circumstances and/or your choice of Further Education course may allow you to study for free or at a discounted price. Please check the information below or contact us to discuss your options.
Many of our courses are FREE for Eligible Learners, this is shown in the course details. You may be eligible for a FREE course if you are:
To find out more about whether your chosen course is eligible, call our admissions team.
* This figure may change, please visit the website for the latest information.
Many of our courses are FREE for Eligible Learners, this is shown in the course details. You may be eligible for a FREE course if you are:
To find out more about whether your chosen course is eligible, call our admissions team.
* This figure may change, please visit the website for the latest information.
To apply for an Advanced Learner Loan for a Level 3 course where you are aged 19-23 you need to not be eligible for Level 3 legal entitlement or Free Courses for Jobs offers. If aged 24+ or wish to study at Level 4 and above there are no additional requirements.
It’s easy to apply, your household income isn’t considered, and there are no credit checks.
You only need to start paying back your Advanced Learner Loan when you are earning more than £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year.
If your loan is for an Access to Higher Education course (QAA Access to HE Diploma) and you subsequently complete Student Finance England funded higher education (HE) course, then the Student loans company will write off the balance of the Access to Higher Education course loan.
For some courses, you must complete an online application, for others, you can book and pay by phone or email.
Advanced Learner Loans: Look out for courses with the Learner Loans Icon.
If your household income is under £40,000 per year (before tax) and you are 19+ and on a further education qualification then you can apply for financial support from College.
Both the Learner Support Fund and Advanced Learner Loan Bursary can assist towards the costs of travelling to College, essential equipment, childcare, meals and trips.
To be eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary you must have applied and had your Advanced Learner Loan approved for your course fees.
Bursary forms can either be downloaded below or you can collect a form in Learner Services on your campus.
You can apply for assistance with childcare costs at an Ofsted registered childcare provider (nursery, childminder or before/after school provision) for the days and times you are in College. Please call into Learner Services and discuss your childcare support needs with the Finance Support Officer at the campus you are going to be studying at and they can help with your application.
If you are a full time student at College you can request a Council Tax Letter which could reduce the cost of your Council Tax for the academic year (please note that only one discount can be added to your Council Tax Bill at a time. e.g. If you already have single person reduced rate you cannot also add the additional student reduction).
Our Higher Education tuition fees are lower than most UK universities’ fees and represent great value for money. We also offer extra financial support through bursaries and other funds.
Available Loans
If you are aged 18 years of age or older you can apply for a student loan to over the cost of your course. Please speak to Student Finance for further information.
Student Finance Maintenance Loans
You may be able to borrow money to help pay for your tuition fees and to help with living costs. For more information, visit Student finance for undergraduates: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Scholarship Awards
The College offers a limited number of Scholarship Awards made up of a cash grant of £1,000 for first year full time students and £500 cash grant for first year part time students. The awards are paid in February and May. Students are eligible if their household income up to £25,000 and have to demonstrate a commitment to study through attendance and engagement with study.
Am I eligible for funding?
Funding is available to students on lower incomes to help meet costs associated with their course and coming to college, with several different options available, depending on the type and level of study.
Remember, our Student Financial Support Team is ready and waiting to help with information, advice and support on a range of fees and finance issues related to your study.
