Stockton Riverside College :: Fees and Funding

Fees and Funding

If you are unemployed and in receipt of a benefit listed below, courses can be free.

• Those in receipt of income-based benefits, formerly known as means - tested benefits, (the main income based benefits are Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance - income-based)
• Those in receipt of Working Tax Credit with a total household income of less than £15,050
• The unwaged dependants (as defined by Jobcentre Plus) of those listed above
• Those taking programmes where the learning aim is basic skills.
• Asylum seekers eligible for LSC FE funding according to the LSC Learner Eligibility Guidance 2007/08 and in receipt of the equivalent of income-based benefit and their dependants
• Certain learners participating in LSC-funded projects where identified in the project specification
• Learners aged 60 and over, and in receipt of Guaranteed Pension Credit
• Learners who are not in receipt of Guarantee Credit, but are in receipt of a retirement pension, will be entitled to a 50% discount of the course fee

Benefit
EVIDENCE NEEDED AT ENROLMENT:

Jobseeker’s Allowance - Signing on card

Income Support - Letter from benefits agency

Working Tax Credit - Award notice outlining level of credit

Housing Benefit - Rent book/ letter from local authority confirming benefit

Council Tax Benefit Rent book/ letter from local authority confirming benefit (not single persons discount)

Guarantee Credit - Award notice

Level 2/3 students may study for less at Stockton Riverside College.

If you are studying for your first full Level 2 (NVQ Level 2 or 5 GCSEs grades A-C) then you can probably get your tuition fees paid, excluding examination fees. If you are able to study around 12 hours a week, you could also qualify for the Adult Learning Grant and get up to £30 cash a week *

If you are aged between 19 and 25 and studying for your first full Level 3 qualification then you may also get your tuition fees paid.

* Terms and conditions apply

EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance)

Education Maintenance Allowance (or EMA for short) could give you up to £30 a week to help out with the costs of staying in learning after 16.

The money’s paid directly into your bank account. Once it’s there, you can use it to pay for whatever you like – for example, books, travel or equipment.

Which helps you concentrate on learning without worrying so much about money.

For more information please visit the EMA website

Care to Learn

Care to Learn is a grant designed to cover the costs of registered childcare while you study. It can also pay for any additional travel costs between your childcare provider and college. To qualify you must be aged under 20 at the start of your course and you must be using OFSTED-registered childcare.

For more information visit the Care to Learn website (www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn)”.

Learner Support (Access) Funds

The college has some money available to aid individuals who need support to be able to attend their chosen programme. Funds may be able to help you with fees, essential books and equipment, travel and childcare.

Awards are means tested. Household income is taken into account together with special circumstances such as disability.

For other help and support which may be available, please visit the DfES Financial Help website

Adult Learning Grant

Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is a means-tested allowance of up to £30 per week to adults resident in England studying full time for a first full level 2 or first full level 3 qualification. It’s open to everyone aged 19 or over.

For more information please visit the Adult Learning Grant website

Train to Gain

Train to Gain is a government initiative aimed specifically at helping employers. If you have employees with no previous level 2 qualifications and they are over 19 year of age, they may qualify for free NVQ level 2 training and as an employer you may qualify for wage subsidies for any time away from the workplace.

For more information please visit the Train to Gain website

Stockton Riverside College Harvard Avenue Stockton-On-Tees TS17 6FB United Kingdom