For a lot of students, you will not have to pay for the cost of full-time (and some part-time) studies, but even if you do there may be help available.
Course Fees
Course fees cover the cost of tuition and examinations.
You do not have to pay course fees
if you are between 16 and 18 years old and have been living in the UK or an EU country for three
years prior to starting your studies
(Information for International Students.)
If you are over 18 or if you have not been living in the UK or an EU country for three years prior to beginning your studies,
don’t worry as you may still be able to study for free or at a reduced cost. Please speak to a client adviser to
discuss paying for your studies on 0845 52 12345.
Don't be put off applying because you are worried about how you are going to cover living costs or pay for books and equipment –
Learner Support Services can give you advice on how to deal with money and help you access different types of financial help before you start your course.
Financial assistance if you apply through Learner Services
Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible to the following types of funding and should apply to the College via the Learner Services team:
- Course Fee Remission - If you are aged 19 or over you could be responsible for the payment of course fees.
However, if you are in receipt of JSA or ESA there may be an opportunity to have fees waived for some short courses.
- Level 2/3 Entitlement - If you are over 19 and are studying for your first full Level 2 or 3
qualification you may be eligible to have your course fees waived.
- Discretionary Learner Support Fund (dLSF) - A fund available to assist 19+ students on a low income and can be used to pay for equipment
(as agreed by the College) and contribute towards (Ofsted registered) childcare and travel expenses.
- Travel discounts - These include Oyster cards, Student Railcards and Ensignbus discounts (Thurrock Campus only).
Most of the above funds depend on the availability of money allocated to the College.
Because of this, we always suggest that students apply for this funding within the first month after enrolment.
Funding options if you apply through external organisations
Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible to the following types of funding and you should apply to the external organisations as detailed below:
- Adult Learning Grant (ALG) - Though ALG has closed to new applicants if you received it in 2010/11 and are continuing onto the 2nd or 3rd
year of the same course in 2011/12 you will still be eligible for these payments to continue.
- Care to Learn (for 16-18 year olds) - If you are a parent and aged under 20, you may be eligible to apply for childcare and travel support.
Please contact the Learner Support Helpline (0800 121 8989) to enquire about the funds listed above.
- Professional and Career Development Loans - A bank loan agreed with a participating bank, paid back once you have finished studying.
For more information or an application pack call 0800 100 900.
When should you apply for funding?
Ideally, if you can apply for funding before enrolling at College (Career Development Loans being good examples of where this would be possible),
then you should, but there are some other funds (such as dLSF) for which you can’t apply for until you have enrolled.
What if you need help or more information?
You can contact Learner Services if you need any further information or guidance by visiting Funding and Welfare during their drop in’s as follows:
Main Campuses
Tuesday - Friday
11am - 1pm
Thurrock Learning Campus
Thursday
11am - 1pm
Or Email your questions to the funding and welfare team at
FundingAndWelfareEnquiries@southessex.ac.uk