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Money Matters
Tuition Fees
Below is a brief overview of the funding of places in further education; however, please contact a Student Adviser at Leeds City College to discuss your own circumstances.
- Age 16 to 18?
- Age 19 to 23 inclusive (on 1 September in the year you enrol)?
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Courses are free if you meet at least one of the following criteria:
• In receipt of Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance in the work related activity group (ESA WRAG).
• Unemployed and in receipt of Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, ESA (Support Group) or ESA (Assessment Phase) can also have their fees remitted if they are taking a course with an aim to get back into work (you will be asked to sign a self-declaration form)
• Enrolling on a basic skills course (literacy or numeracy).
• 19 – 23 years old, enrolling on your first full Level 2 qualification (as designated by the Skills Funding Agency).
• 19 – 23 years old, enrolling on their first full Level 3 qualification (as designated by the Skills Funding Agency).
• 19 – 23 years old, enrolling on first full Level 4, with no previous Level 3 qualification.
• 19 – 23 years old, with a learning difficulty and/or disability (with high support costs).
• 19 – 23 years old, enrolling on a Foundation Learning qualification (Entry or Level 1) with a Level 2 entitlement.
• Enrolling on GCSE English or Maths, who do not have a grade C or above.
You will need to provide evidence of benefits at enrolment; this must be an up-to-date letter confirming your entitlement.
If you do not meet any of the above requirements, you will need to pay for your course.
N.B. Definition of “First Level 2/3 qualifications”: This means that you cannot be funded for undertaking a qualification at the same level that you have already achieved, even if the subject area is different. The BTEC Extended Diplomas are level 3 and are equivalent to 3 A level passes, or GNVQ level 3. The Foundation programme is level 2 and is equivalent to 5 or more GCSEs at A* to C grade, or GNVQ level 2.
Students 19 – 23 with a learning difficulty and/or disability with low support costs who do not qualify for fee remission under any other criterion will be charged 50% of the full fee as a College concession (i.e. £525 for a full time course). Please ask a member of staff for more information about this.
- Aged 24 and over (on 1 September in the year you enrol)?
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Level 3 and 4 courses: From 2013 onwards, the Government will not fund places for students on Further Education courses, who are studying at Level 3 or 4. Instead, students will need to pay their own tuition fees.
To enable participation in learning for learners who cannot fund their course from any other source, the government have introduced 24+ ADVANCED LEARNING LOANS
This is a new type of student loan which is taken out by the student to cover the cost of the course, and paid directly to the College. Students will only have to repay this loan when they leave the course and are earning more than £21,000 per year.
If you earn less than this, you will not need to repay anything.
Level 2 courses: The rules regarding fees will be as for those aged 19 to 23.
Tuition fee amounts for those who have to pay in 2013 are not yet decided, but as a guide the fees for 2012 entry are, using the example of a BTEC Extended Diploma: £1,700 per year.
These fees are for home and EU students only. International students who do not meet the residency requirements will be required to pay.Tuition fees for part time courses vary and are available on request. Awarding body registration fees and examination and certification fees are set by the awarding body. Further details can be provided on request, as each course has a different cost.
If you are not sure of your fee status, please contact the College.
Administration fee: The college administration fee is charged to students aged 19 and over on the 31 August who do not qualify for fee remission under any of the categories listed above; this is a contribution to the costs of enrolment and college registration, whether learning in or out of college. The College administration fee is £10 per student; you only need to pay this once, even if you’re on lots of different courses.
24+ Advanced Learning Loans
This is a new loan scheme (similar to Higher Education student loans) to launch in April 2013 for courses from September 2013, for adults aged 24+ applying to study at Level 3 and 4 (i.e. A Levels, Access to H.E., Certificates and Diplomas) in 2013/14. Click here for more information.
- Benefits and studying
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Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)Full-time students cannot normally receive JSA. To study and claim JSA you will need to be:
• a part-time student. This means that your course of study is 16 ‘guided learning hours’ or less per week. (You need a copy of your timetable and a College Learning Agreement for your signing office confirming your hours of study);
• willing and able to take time off from your course for job interviews;
• able to demonstrate a reasonable pattern of availability for work – 40 hours per week.
Some people may be required to take part in “Work Related Schemes or Activities”. Participation in these schemes may be full-time and compulsory and could affect your college studies. Please remember that you must keep your Job Centre Plus informed in writing of any changes in your circumstances.
To claim, contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 any weekday (8am-6pm).
Income SupportIf you are claiming Income Support, you may be able to study full time. Your benefit will not normally be affected if you are 19 or over and are a lone parent, for example. The age of your youngest child is taken into account for entitlement to Income Support; the age is currently 7 years or younger although there are plans to reduce this to 5 years or younger shortly.
If you think you may be affected, your Jobcentre Plus can give you information and advice for your individual circumstances. You may also claim Income Support and study if you are under 18 and not living at home due to family problems. For information, advice and guidance Leeds-based students can contact their Personal Adviser on 0113 226 2181 and Bradford / Keighley-based students on 01274 377 800.
- Financial Support Schemes
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Please note that the former Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and Adult Learning Grant (ALG) Government schemes have now ended. However the following financial assistance is now available:
16 – 18 Bursaries
This is the new Government scheme introduced in 2011 to replace EMA. The scheme is open to students aged 18 or under on the 31 August in ‘vulnerable groups’ (young people in care, care leavers and young people in receipt of income support and living independently) who will receive a guaranteed bursary of at least £1,200 per year paid at the rate of £40 weekly, via the college.
Other students aged 16 – 18 in hardship will be able to apply to the 16 – 19 Discretionary Bursary Fund for support with the costs of coming to college, e.g. travel, books, equipment, residentials, etc. We will carry out an assessment of your household income to confirm whether you are eligible.
19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund
The Discretionary Learner Support Fund is an allocation of funding given to colleges and other providers to support adult students in financial hardship. You can apply for support with the costs of transport to and from College, books, equipment and childcare. Contact the Help Zone for details of how to apply (income assessment applies).
Army Further Education Bursary Scheme
The Army offers the Further Education Bursary programmes to people who want to get qualified before they join the Regular Army. Its aim is to support you while you’re at school or college and guarantee you a training place when you finish.
The bursary is worth £1,000 for each year you study (up to 4 years), and a £1,000 bonus when you complete Phase 1 training. It’s available for Level 2 or 3 vocational courses and A Levels. To apply, you have to be aged between 16 and 32 years old.
NB. If you engage in the Army FE Bursary scheme, and subsequently complete your college course and pass the Army selection tests you will be required to commit to a minimum of four years with the Army as a soldier and may be required to serve in any current or future operations overseas.
Speak to an Army Careers Adviser to find out more at your nearest Careers Office. Visit www.army.mod.uk/join/20133 or call 08457 300 111 for more information.
Professional Career Development LoansThese loans are operated by some of the major banks and are for work-related learning; interest is payable. You can apply to borrow between £300 and £10,000. To find out if you are eligible, call Next Step on 0800 100 900 or go to www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/CareerDevelopmentLoans/. Please note students must be over 18 and have lived in the UK for 3 years. Applicants will be credit checked.
- Other sources of financial support
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There are various Trusts and Charities you may be able to apply to for help with studying. Visit www.funderfinder.org.uk/links_trusts for a comprehensive online list or your public library should also have directories of charitable trusts that provide grants and awards:
• the Educational Grants Directory
• the Charities Digest
• the Grants Register
• the Directory of Grant Making Trusts
The Educational Grants Advisory ServiceThe Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) offers a range of services providing information on funding for people in post-16 education in England. It specialises in funding from charitable trusts and maintains a database of trusts and charities that assist students. There is a limited telephone information service open from 2 pm to 4pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only. Staff will be able to direct students to appropriate sources of information or to answer questions about the service. The student advice line is 020 7241 7459. You can also visit www.direct.gov.uk for more information.
Childcare
The College is able to offer some support with childcare both through its own nurseries and crèches and also through awards from the Discretionary Learner Support Fund towards the cost of external childcare; however, both places and funding are limited, so please apply early!
If you are under 20, contact ‘Care to Learn’ on 0800 121 8989; if you are a lone parent ask your ‘lone parent adviser’ at Jobcentre Plus; otherwise, contact your Campus Help Zone.
Travel
Local education authorities have an obligation to provide access to transport for young people 16 – 19 (25 with additional needs) to and from school sixth forms and colleges in their area.
The Leeds policy can be found here
And Bradford’s policy here
Application forms for the various concessionary passes will be available throughout the enrolment and induction period. Students 16 – 19 who travel from another education authority and do not qualify for the above schemes and students 19 or over in hardship can apply to the Discretionary Learner Support Fund for support with the costs of travel.
Please refer to this website for updated information when available, or visit www.direct.gov.uk
If you are worried about the cost of coming to college, contact any Campus Help Zone about financial support you may be able to get.
Contact a Student Service Help Zone
• Technology Campus: 0113 3861900
• Thomas Danby Campus: 01132 846306
• Keighley Campus: 01535 685008
• Horsforth Campus (term-time only): 0113 2162430
• Park Lane Campus: 01132 162190
• Joseph Priestley Campus: 0113 3076 183
Courses are FREE for Home and EU students who are under 19 on 31 August in the year in which you enrol.
**PLEASE NOTE: This information is updated regularly, but we cannot guarantee that the detail will remain accurate, as Government policy often requires changes to how we operate. Applicants receiving an offer of a place will be sent further updated information.**
