If you are aged 16, 17 or 18 and not currently in full-time education with another provider, your course will be provided for free.
If you are aged 19 to 24 years and have EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan) with high cost Additional Learning Support needs, and agreed local authority funding, your course will be provided for free.
You may also receive your course for free* if you are studying on a funded course and meet one of the following criteria:
- If you are aged 19 years and over (excluding apprentices), looking to study GCSE English or Maths, and do not have grades A*- C in these subjects already.
- If you are aged 19 to 23 years at the start of your course, having previously only completed qualifications at or below Level 1, and you are intending to study a funded Entry Level or Level 1 qualification as a step up to a Level 2.
- If you are aged 19 to 23 years and looking to study a funded, full Level 2 qualification.
- If you are aged 19 to 23 years and looking to study a funded, full Level 3 qualification.
- If you are aged 19 years or over and looking to study a funded, full Level 2 which meets the skills need of the local labour market and in receipt of an eligible wider benefit.
* With the exception of those Part-Time courses that are not eligible for fee remission or discounts. These will be indicated with a (No Discount) symbol in the Part-Time course directory. - A learner aged 19 and over, who has already achieved a Level 3 qualification and is wishing to study a Level 3 or higher course will have the option to either:
- Pay the full cost course fees themselves
- Have an employer/sponsor pay the full cost course fees for them
- Apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help pay for the course fees
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a full qualification?
Full Level 2 Qualifications
- Five GCSEs at grades A* - C
- Two AS levels
- One A2 levels
- One BTEC Diploma at Level 2
- One NVQ at Level 2
Full Level 3 Qualifications
- Three or more AS levels
- Two A2 levels
- One BTEC Diploma at Level 3
- One NVQ at Level 3
- One Access to HE Diploma
What are eligible benefits?
If on the day you enrol you are unemployed, actively seeking employment and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group), you may be eligible for help with fees.
This may also be available on selected courses which will lead to employment and meet the needs of the local labour market. In these circumstances, if you are unemployed, actively seeking employment and in receipt of one of the following wider benefits: Attendance Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Bereavement Allowance, Invalidity Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, Job Grant, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Local Housing Allowance, Council Tax Benefit, Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance, State Pension, Personal Independent Payments, Training Premium, Employment and Support Allowance (Contribution Based), Travel to Interview Scheme, Guardian’s Allowance, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, War Widow’s / Widower’s Pension, Income Support, Widowed Parent’s Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or Widow’s Pension.
You will be required to provide evidence setting out your entitlement, dated within three months of the course start date at enrolment. College staff will be unable to enrol you on to your chosen course without this evidence.
Contact us
For more information and advice please call our Financial Support Team on 01283 494757/4472 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
