Charging Policy - (Supplemental) (Fee Policy documentation available on request)

Course Fees

For home students full-time tuition fee for Further Education courses for 2009/10 is based upon income and in most cases are either free or concessionary. Please note that these fees do not include the examination fees. International students fee charges are set at a higher rate. Please contact College for further details.

Definition of ‘Home Student’

Eligible students are classed as a person on the 'relevant date' who is 'settled' in the UK, and who has been ordinarily resident in the UK and islands (that is including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) for the three years preceding the 'relevant date' and whose main purpose for such residence was not to receive full-time education during any part of the three-year period. 'Settled' means having either indefinite leave to enter or remain or having the right of abode in the UK. British citizens and certain other people have the right of abode in the UK.

The fee for part-time Further Education courses is calculated on a pro rata basis.

If you are under 19 years old prior to the start of the course, and are a permanent resident in the UK, you will not be charged tuition fees.

If you are 19 and over, in receipt of income – based benefits or you are the unwaged dependant of someone in receipt of such a benefit, your tuition fees will be waived.

Definition of ‘Passport Benefits’

Income based benefits

You may be eligible for free Tuition fees on some courses if you are in receipt of one or more of the following income-based benefits and on Low income.

• Housing Benefit
• Jobseekers Allowance
  Only if the course you wish to study is less than 16 hours per week.
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit
  Annual household income must be less than £15, 276
• Council Tax Benefit
  Not including Council Tax Discounts, e.g. Only one Adult living in a home
• Guarantee Pensions Credits
  Savings Credit element not included
• If you are an Unwaged Dependant of someone claiming one of these benefits
• Low income
  Income below £15, 276., thereafter a sliding scale of fee chargers becomes applicable.

To apply for the fees to be waived, student will need to provide evidence that they are in receipt of income based benefits which will be photocopied and held on our record system..

Alternatively there are free courses for adults who wish to return to education and undertake a 1st Level 2 or 1st Level 3 qualification or the course is skills for life/basic skills (literacy, numeracy) you will also have no fees to pay. However you will still have to pay any exam or materials costs.

Students will be expected to pay for any personal books or materials they need. In addition, there may also be payments for trips, registration and examination fees which vary depending on the course or programme of study. Details of any costs they may be incured will be published in the college’s course material guide .

Bursaries

Bursaries are available to students (over 19 years old) on low income and on passport benefits to aid examination fees and coursework material e.g. books etc. Each application is considered on individual merit and is the subject of a‘means test’.