The following guidelines should help you to decide whether you are entitled to any financial assistance. Please note these are guidelines and the Student Services team will be able to advise you further based on your personal circumstances.
Full-Time Students aged 16 to 18
Fees
Courses are usually free for students on full time programmes who are aged 18 or under on 31st August 2011. However, there may be some course related costs such as the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), books etc.
Financial Support
The 16-19 Bursary Fund
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is a new scheme to help young people facing financial hardship to stay in full-time education. The scheme is made up of two parts:
- Students who need financial support to help them stay in education or training and have a household income of less than £20,000 per year will be able to claim the £350 a year bursary. This can be used to help with expenses such as transport, food, equipment or other course related costs.
- Those most in need will be eligible for a bursary of £1,200 a year, this includes young people in care, care leavers, young people receiving income support and disabled young people receiving both employment support allowance and disability living allowance.
How do I find out more about the Bursary?
For more information and advice speak to Student Services. They will send out an application form before the start of your course. You can call into their office at North Street or phone 0113 222 6002.
If you require Childcare there is a government support scheme called “Care to Learn”, you can contact them on 0800 121 8989. (Please note Childcare providers must be registered nurseries of child minders).
If you are a lone parent you may be able to get help from the Jobcentre Plus, ask to speak to the “Lone Parent Advisor”, otherwise please contact Student Services.
Travel
Local Education Authorities have an obligation to provide transport for young people age 16-19 (25 with additional needs) to and from schools, colleges and sixth forms. Application forms for travel are available from Student Services throughout the enrolment process.
Other Sources of Financial Support
There are various Trusts and Charities that you may be able to apply to for help with studying. A list of these is provided below:
- the Educational Grants Directory
- the Charities Digest
- the Grants Register
- the Directory of Grant Making Trusts
You could also consider the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS), which offers a range of services providing information on funding from charitable trusts for people in post-16 education. There is a limited telephone information service open from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only, please call 020 7241 7459.
More information on EGAS can be found by clicking here.
For further information help or advice contact Student Services on 0113 222 6002.
Part-Time Students aged 19+
Fees
If you are aged 19+ you are normally expected to pay for your tuition fees unless any of the following apply to you:
- You are in receipt of Job Seeker’s Allowance or Employment Support Allowance in the work-related activity group. If you are aged 24 or over free tuition is for level 1 and 2 courses only.
- You are undertaking a level one course which is required for progression to level 2 (age 19 to 23 only)
- You are undertaking your first full Level 2 course (aged 19 to 23 only)
- You are undertaking your first Level 3 course (aged 19 to 23 only)
- You are undertaking an Adult Basic Skills course (literacy or numeracy)
This applies to UK / European Economic Area residents only. Please note that exam and other fees may be payable.
For fee paying students you may be able to pay in instalments, please contact the College Finance Officer for details on 0113 222 6094.
Benefits and Studying
Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Full-time students cannot normally receive JSA. To study and claim JSA you will need to be:
- a part-time student. This means that your course of study is 16 ‘guided learning hours’ or less per week. (You need a copy of your timetable and a College Learning Agreement for your signing office confirming your hours of study);
- willing and able to take time off from your course for job interviews;
- able to demonstrate a reasonable pattern of availability for work – 40 hours per week.
To find out more about JSA or to claim please contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688, their opening hours are Mon – Fri 08.00 -18.00.
Income Support
If you are claiming Income Support, you may be able to study full time. Your benefit will not normally be affected if you are 19 or over and are a lone parent. For more information Leeds based students can contact an advisor on 0113 226 2181.
New Deal for Lone Parents
Jobcentre Plus provides a package of support for lone parents which can include attendance at College. For more information please contact your local Jobcentre Plus office and ask to speak to a “Lone Parent Advisor”.
Financial Support Schemes
Learner Support Fund
The fund is used to assist students who may be experiencing financial hardship to complete their course, and it is only able to make contributions towards costs incurred for attending College and where there is no other financial support available.
It is cash-limited and priority will be given to certain groups e.g. students who are economically or socially disadvantaged.
Payments are not released until a student is enrolled and has good attendance. For more information please speak to Student Services.
Professional Career Development Loans
These loans are operated by some of the major banks and are for work-related learning, you can apply to borrow between £300 and £10,000, but please be aware that interest is payble on the loan. Please note students need to be over 18 and have lived in the UK for 3 years, to find out more
Click here for more information on Professional Career development Loans.
Other Sources of Financial Support
There are various Trusts and Charities you may be able to apply to for help with studying. A list of these is provided below:
- the Educational Grants Directory
- the Charities Digest
- the Grants Register
- the Directory of Grant Making Trusts
You could also consider the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS), which offers a range of services providing information on funding from charitable trusts for people in post-16 education. There is a limited telephone information service open from 2 pm to 4pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only, please call 020 7241 7459.
More information on EGAS can be found by clicking here.
For further information help or advice contact Student Services on 0113 222 6002.