To take the financial pressures off you while studying at College we have a number of financial support schemes in place to help you. The details may vary from year to year so please visit the student support section of our College website for the latest information or visit our Student Services department.
Financial Help
Learners Aged 16 to 18
If you are aged between 16 and 18 at the start of your course, you will not have to pay any course fees and your parents/carers will be able to continue to claim any benefits they received while you were at school.
16-18 College Bursary
Learners aged 16 to 18, those aged 19 who are continuing on a study programme that they began aged 16 to 18 (‘19+ continuers’) and those aged 19 to 24, who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), are eligible to apply for the 16-18 College Bursary.
The 16 to 18 bursary can support travel, meals and college expenses and is available for eligible learners with a household income up to £42,611. The amount of support provided is set against a sliding scale of income. For more information speak to a Learner Finance Assistant in Student Services.
Once completed submit this, with the required evidence of income and bank account details to Student Services at College for assessment.
Vulnerable Bursary
An annual bursary of £1,200 is available to the following groups of learners if they are participating on a study programme that lasts for 30 weeks or more (a pro-rata amount is calculated for study programmes of less than 30 weeks). The bursary is made up of in-kind payments, eg purchase of equipment and weekly payments and is subject to attendance and performance expectations:
Aged 16 to 18 and:
- In care
- Care leavers
- Getting Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) in place of Income Support, in their own right, or
- Getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments in their own right
Aged 19 to 24 and in receipt of an Educational Health and Care Plan
- Learners aged 19 to 24 and in receipt of an EHCP do not have to pay tuition fees and are eligible to apply for the 16-19 Bursary and Free College Meals. Additional Learning Support and other course related costs can be agreed and supported by Local Authority (eg special transport)
- EHCP learners aged 25 can access financial support from the Learner Support Fund to help with fees and College expenses
Learner Support Fund (19+)
Learners aged 19 and over may need to pay fees and other costs towards their education up to and including Level 2 study. The fees are set by the College at the start of each year and are based on the level of funding provided by the Government.
Many adult learners however are entitled to financial support on publicly funded courses, including a complete waiver of fees in certain circumstances.
Because of the changing nature of government funding and the complex rules surrounding fees, please speak to Student Services for the latest details. For level 3 and 4 courses an Advanced Learner Loan is available. Some support may be in the form of vouchers. You may be entitled to receive help with the cost of:
You may be entitled to receive help with the cost of:
- Travel
- Equipment costs
- Childcare costs
- UCAS application
- Meals at College
- Awarding body and tuition fees
- Other associated study costs
Once completed submit this, with the required evidence of income and bank account details to Student Services at College for assessment.
Advanced Learner Loans
If you are aged 19 or above and are looking to study a Level 3 or Level 4 course the Advanced Learner Loan is available to support with the cost of some or all of your course fees. The loan does not have to be paid back until you are earning over £25,000 a year.
For more details visit the Advanced Learner Loans section of the gov.uk website:
Full Cost or Non-Funded Courses
Please note that no financial support is available for non-funded or full cost courses offered by the College. Learners may wish to consider at Professional Career Development Loan.
Professional Career Development Loan (PCD)
College courses that are not publicly funded do not attract funds to help learners with the cost of fees or support with meals, childcare and travel. There is an alternative financing option available through the Co-operative and Barclays Bank who offer Professional and Career Development Loans. PCD Loans are bank loans to pay for courses and training that help with your career, or help get you into work. You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000. Loans are usually offered at a reduced interest rate and the government pays interest while you’re studying. For more details visit the gov.uk website:
Army Bursary Scheme
The Army offers the Further Education Bursary programme to people aged between 16 and 32 years old, studying on Level 2 or 3 vocational courses who want to get qualified before they join the regular Army. Its aim is to support learners whilst at college and guarantee a training place upon completion.
The bursary is worth £1,000 for each year of study (up to four years), and a £1,000 bonus when Phase 1 training is complete. An Army Careers Adviser gives support and advice throughout the course. They can also help organise work experience or an Insight Course to see first-hand what Army life is like. For more information contact your local Army Careers Adviser or visit:
Student Discount (NUS)
Once enrolled at College all learners automatically become a member of the National Union of Students and are able to purchase an NUS Extra card online which offers discounts when shopping, eating out, going to the cinema and more. Applications are made online only with a suitable photograph at www.nus.org.uk/en/nus-extra.
Care to Learn
Care to Learn can help with your childcare costs while you are studying.
Student Services Contact Information 01909 504500 or email contact@nnc.ac.uk