Funding for full-time Further Education courses 2013/14
Please note details given for 2013/14 are provisional and are subject to change.
Tuition fees:
Tuition fees: Please note tuition fees and registration fees for Access courses commencing from September 2013 have not yet been confirmed. Please check the University of Bolton website for up to date information regarding tuition fees: www.bolton.ac.uk|
For students aged 16-18 years of age:
Students aged 16-18 no tuition fee or registration fee payable.
For students aged 19-23 years of age: Further Education (Access to Higher Education) courses are not eligible courses for student funding such as tuition fee loans, student loans and maintenance grants for students who are aged between 19 and 23, however there are limited funding options available for U.K. students for full-time further education courses which are funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).
Certain categories of students may be eligible for tuition fee and registration fee remission:
Students aged 19-23 undertaking their first full Level 3 qualification.
Students who are studying their first Level 4 qualification who have not previously attained a full Level 3 qualification.
Students studying their first full Level 3 qualification who have left the British armed forces (up to 10 years ago) after completing four or more years of service or who have been medically discharged, due to an injury in active service, after completing basic training. This also includes learners aged 24 and over.
Students aged 19-23 and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in the Work Related Activity Group (JSA (WRAG)), or Employment and Support Allowance in the Work Related Activity Group (ESA (WRAG)).
For students over 24 years of age: An Advanced Learning Loan (tuition fee loan) may be available for U.K. students for Further Education (Access to Higher Education) courses which are funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).
The loan is non means tested and you will start to repay when you have completed the course and are earning a minimum of £21,000. If you progress to and successfully complete a Higher Education (HE) programme of study, the Access course loan will be written off on completion of the HE course.
For full eligibility for the loans and to apply (from April 2013) please visit:
www.gov.uk/advancedlearningloans|
Please note part-time Access Courses are not eligible courses for fee remission, tuition fee loans or funding.
The various forms of funding available for full-time Access courses are listed below with eligibility criteria:
Care to Learn
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What is it for?
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If you’re under 20 and have one or more children, Care to Learn can help with the cost of your childcare while you're learning.
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Who is eligible?
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Your age – to get Care to Learn, you must be under 20 years old on the day your course or learning programme begins.
As long as you begin the course before you are 20, Care to Learn will contribute towards your childcare costs until the course has finished.
Residency – To make a new claim for Care to Learn, you must:
live in England, and
be either a British citizen or a national of another country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or the child of a Swiss national or Turkish migrant worker.
If you don’t meet these conditions, you may still be able to get Care to Learn. For advice, call the Learner Support Service on 0800 121 8989 – or check the guidance notes that come with the application form.
Additional requirements – You must be the main carer for the child
You can claim Care to Learn either as the child’s father or mother, as long as:
the other parent is unable to provide childcare (because, for example, they are working)
the other parent is not claiming the childcare element of Working Tax Credit
If you have more than one child, you can get help for each of them.
To get Care to Learn, you must use a childcare provider which is registered with Ofsted. Registration means that the childcare must meet certain safety and quality standards.
Your options might include a childminder, day nursery, pre-school playgroup or out-of-school club.
If you want a relative to look after your child, you’ll only be able to get Care to Learn if the relative is registered with Ofsted and providing care for other children.
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How much?
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You could get up to £160 per child per week.
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How do I apply?
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Applications are available directly from www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn or by telephoning 0800 121 8989
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How is it paid?
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Directly to your registered childcare provider.
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Does it have to be paid back?
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No.
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Further Information?
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www.gov.uk/caretolearn|
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Residential Support Scheme
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What is it for?
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The Residential Support Scheme may provide help towards the cost of accommodation if you are studying a course which is not available in your local area
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Who is eligible?
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Your age – you must be over 16-18 on 27 August in the academic year in which the programme of study commences.
Residency –You must be settled and have been ordinarily resident in England for at least three years prior to the start of your course.
Being settled means having one of the following:
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right of abode in the UK
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'indefinite leave to enter' or 'indefinite leave to remain'
Household Income-Your household income must be below £30,993
Your course - The course of study must:
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be outside a 'reasonable daily travelling distance' from your home - and there cannot be similar courses available locally
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be for your first level 2 or level 3 qualification
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involve at least 16 guided learning hours or more per week, and be of at least 10 weeks’ duration
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be SFA-funded
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How much?
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You could get up to £3458 towards residential living costs per year for a maximum of three years depending on household income.
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How do I apply?
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Applications are available directly from www.gov.uk/studyingaway| or by telephoning 0800 121 8989
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How is it paid?
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Directly to the university.
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Does it have to be paid back?
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No.
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Further Information?
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www.gov.uk/studyingaway|
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Access to Learning Fund
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What is it for?
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Funding is available for full-time Further Education students aged 19 or over at commencement of the course of study, studying at University of Bolton. The purpose of the grant is to provide a contribution towards general course costs. Home (U.K.) students are eligible to apply for support.
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Who is eligible?
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Priority students are:
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Students with children, especially lone parents;
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Disabled students;
Applications can still be considered from single students.
An income and expenditure assessment will be carried out on each application received.
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How much?
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If you are a priority student you may be eligible for a grant of up to £500, single students may be eligible for a grant of £250.
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How do I apply?
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You should complete an Access to Learning Fund application form available from the Student Centre, Chancellor’s Mall and indicate on the application form that you are applying for Further Education Funding.
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How is it paid?
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Direct in to your bank account.
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Does it have to be paid back?
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No.
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Further Information?
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www.bolton.ac.uk
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Further Information
For more information on how to fund your studies please visit our website:
www.bolton.ac.uk|
or contact the Student Funding Advisor:
Tel. 01204 903497
or email:
studentfunding@bolton.ac.uk|
You may also wish to visit the Government website which provides more information on all of the above awards:
www.gov.uk/studentfinance|
This information is provided as a guide only. Information is correct at the time of printing. You are advised to contact the organisations identified for further information and regulations.