Course Fee Exemptions

Accredited Courses

Courses are free for all learners aged 16 to 18 on 1 September 2011 and for adults aged 19 and above meeting the following criteria:

• In receipt of a Income Support and want to enter employment (for accredited courses only).
• Studying a full NVQ Level 2 qualification for the first time.
• Studying a full NVQ Level 3 qualification for the first time and aged 19 – 25.
• Studying a full NVQ Level 1 qualification for the first time without holding a Level 2 or equivalent qualification.
• Studying English and Maths courses.
• Aged 19-25 with a S139A Learning Difficulty Assessment Report.
• In receipt of certain benefits (JSA or ESA in Work Related Activity Group).

Learning for Fun Courses

Not everyone pays course fees (although a £10 registration fee is always applicable).
If you are in receipt of any of the income based benefits or awards listed:

• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) including partners where the claim is joint
• Income related or Contribution related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (Work Related Activity Group only)
• Income Support
• Housing or Council Tax Benefit
• Working Tax Credit with a household income less than £15,276
• Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit only)
• Unwaged dependants of those listed above as defined by JCP

Evidence of benefit or award, dated no earlier than 3 months prior to your enrolment date must be supplied in order to qualify for this exemption.

All other learners pay course fees in full.

Cost of materials still applies to all learners.

Financial support is available for some people taking courses:

Care to Learn

Care to Learn is available for learners under 20 with one or more children, to help with the cost of childcare whilst undertaking learning. Childcare up to the value of £160 per child per week is available.

To qualify learners must:

• Be under 20 at the start of the course.
• Be caring for own child or children.
• Use a childcare provider that’s registered with Ofsted.

Additional conditions also apply.

For adult learners (aged 19+)

Adult Learners Grant (ALG)

ALG offers an allowance of up to £30 per week (dependent upon household income) for adults aged 19 and above (learners must be over 19 years old on 1st September 2011), subject to regular attendance at College.

To be eligible for ALG:

• The course must lead to a first full Level 2 or first full Level 3 qualification.
• Studied full time – at least 12 hours a week (equivalent to 450 hours of ‘guided learning’ a year, or 150 hours a term).

The size of ALG awarded is dependent upon earnings in the previous tax year.

Fifty Plus In-work Training Grants

For those starting a new job at 50 or over, help may be available for work-related training costs through the Fifty Plus In-work Training Grant. To be eligible applicants must:

• be currently working (including self-employment).
• have previously claimed at least one benefit (from a specified list available at direct.gov.uk), continuously for at least 26 weeks.
• no longer claiming any of the specified benefits.
• aged 50 or over when claim stopped.
• apply for the grant no longer than 52 weeks after the relevant benefit claim ends.

Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL)

PCDL is a personal loan available for learners wanting to gain the experience, training and qualifications to improve job skills. Applications for a loan can be made by those who are  employed, self employed or unemployed.

The key points about the loan are:

• between £300 and £10,000 can be borrowed to help fund up to two years of learning (or up to three years if the course includes one year of relevant practical work experience)
• The Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) pays the interest on the loan whilst recipients are studying – and for one month afterwards. After this, interest is payable at the rate fixed when the loan was taken out. Interest rates on the loans are set so they’re competitive with other ‘unsecured’ personal loans that are commercially available.

There are three areas that a PCDL can cover:

• Course fees – 80% of course fees, or 100% for those who have been out of work for three months or more at the time of application.
• Other course costs, like books, travel and childcare.
• Living expenses, like rent, food and clothing (for unemployed people or those  working less than 30 hours per week).

Educational Grants Advisory Service

Some charities and trusts offer financial help, but their eligibility rules vary. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) provides information and advice on sources of funding through their Directory, helpline and website.

For further details for support visit www.direct.gov.uk or contact the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989

* Subject to Government approval following Department for Education consultation which ends on 20 May 2011.
** Information correct at time of upload (May 2011). May change due to Government funding decisions.