Further Education

Tuition Fees
With full-time courses, we do not charge tuition fees to 16-18 year olds and people aged 19+ on means-tested benefits.

In addition, students aged 19+ studying for their first full level 2 qualification have their fees waived, as do students aged 19- 24 studying for their first full level 3 qualification. This applies to UK/European Economic Area residents only.

Depending on your financial situation, you may have to pay between 50% and 100% of your course and exam fees.

Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMA)
Year 11 school-leavers moving on to full-time further education courses may be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowances (EMA) of up to £30 per week.

For details visit www.direct.gov.uk/ema or ring the EMA helpline 0800 121 8989. Collect an application form from your school or you can apply on-line and by phone, or contact the Welfare team (link to Student Services page) at the campus you are applying to.

Adult Learning Grant (ALG)
To be eligible you need to be: > 19 or over > studying 12 hours a week and attending regularly > doing your first full Level 2 or 3 qualification (including GCSEs, A-Levels and NVQs).

ALG can pay up to £30 a week. For an application form or further details contact the helpline free on 0800 121 8989 or log on to www.direct.gov.uk/alg
Alternatively ask at College for an application form.

Army Further Education Bursary Scheme
This scheme is designed for students considering a career in the Army. If you sign up, you will get £1000 while you’re at College, after which you join the Army and continue to train on the job. Once you have completed training, you’ll qualify for a further £1000.

Speak to an Army Careers Adviser to find out more at your nearest Careers Office. Visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk/education or call 08457 300 111 for more information.

Higher Education

At Leeds City College many of our Higher Education courses do not carry the maximum variable fee, which is not the case in many other institutions.

You may be eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan, from the Student Loan Company, which is repayable only when you start work and earning a reasonable wage (around £15,000). Alternatively you can choose to pay the tuition fees yourself.

Currently fees for directly funded courses for new entrants on a full time programme is £1,750 with a £250 reduction for students in receipt of the full maintenance grant.

Note: There are no fee waivers for Higher Education students regardless of your personal circumstances.

Student Loans and Grants are also available to help with living costs. These are partly means-tested and dependent on other personal circumstances, such as residency status in the UK and previous Higher Education study.

Remember: We do not charge maximum variable fees so you can save money by studying for a Foundation Degree at Leeds City College.

To find full information and to apply for funding visit the Direct.gov.uk website.

Note: Full time Higher Education fees for students starting in the academic year 2011/12 will be £2,500. A bursary of £1000 will be awarded to students with a household income of less than £25,000 per annum and £500 for students with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £50,000 per annum.
The bursaries will be paid in 3 instalments and will have conditions attached re attendance and any outstanding debts to the college.

Disclaimer
All information regarding fees and other related information are current but are subject to change for unforeseen reasons at the College’s absolute discretion. Please check with the College for the latest fee information. Government policy on entitlement to fee reductions and tax or benefit rules is subject to change. The information printed reflects the College’s understanding at this time but students should check the current position and their personal circumstances before committing to a College course.
Students are required to pay fees by the due date and failure to do so could lead to your results not being presented to the relevant examination board, and therefore result in you not receiving your certificate.

Other Money Matters

Studying on Benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions regulations have specified that you may be able to claim Job Seeker’s Allowance while studying provided the course involves no more than 16 hours per week of “guided study” i.e. learning in the presence of a tutor. You must also be actively seeking work.

There is flexibility with most of our courses to enable people to study within the 16-hour limit. Studying while you are on benefits can be complicated but it is by no means impossible.

Travel
If you are a full-time student under 19 years of age (up to your 19th birthday), and you live in West Yorkshire, you can apply for a Metro Scholar’s Permit which is a pass entitling you to half price travel at any time on trains or buses in the West Yorkshire area.

There is also a FREE bus service which loops past Park Lane Campus, near the Technology Campus, and via the universities, railway and bus stations. Buses run approximately every 10 minutes

Learner Support Funds
Discretionary financial assistance may be available to help you access and remain in education. You will be assessed on an individual basis.

There is a limited amount of funds available so please contact Student Services at the campus of your choice for further information and to apply.