Finance & Funding 25/26
Affordability is a key factor when considering further education so it’s good to know that many of our courses are fully funded, meaning there are no fees and usually no student loans to repay (subject to certain eligibility criteria).
Whether you receive funding, how much, and through what method depends on your personal circumstances but we’re always happy to talk through your options with you.
Please see below for more information relating to differently funded courses. Our Fees Policy is also available for viewing here: Fees Policy
Study Programmes (Aged 16-24)
Fully funded for those ages 16 to 24 and qualified up to Level 3.
Apprenticeships (Aged 16+)
Fully funded.
You are paid the National Minimum Apprenticeship wage or more by your employer.
Free Level 3 Courses
A number of our Level 3 qualifications are fully funded by the government for eligible adults.
Who is eligible?
Adults aged 19 and above can get a free qualification if they:
-
- are aged 19 or over and live in Somerset (not including Bath & North-East Somerset/North Somerset)
- have lived in the UK/EU for the last 3 years or have leave to remain
- meet at least one of the following:
- are employed with an annual income of less than £25,000
- are unemployed
- are aged 19-23, earn over £25,000 and have no full level 3 or above qualifications
Short Courses (Community Learning)
Many of our Community Learning courses can be fully funded (FREE) for people aged 19 or over:
- Who will be living in Somerset (not including Bath & North-East Somerset/North Somerset) as their main home on the first day of the course (not just visiting)
- AND one of the following applies:
- Have an annual income of less than £25,750
- Are unemployed and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, OR Employment Support Allowance, OR Universal Credit/other state benefit as follows – less than £952 a month as sole claimant or £1534 a month as joint claim with partner
- Are a carer
- Are a care leaver
- Have a learning difficulty and or disability
- Mental health service user or have mild to moderate mental health problems
- Part of the Troubled Families programme
- Homeless, in sheltered living, or in danger of becoming homeless
- Refugee status
- Asylum Seeker in receipt of the equivalent of an income-based state benefit
- The unwaged dependent of an Asylum Seeker
- Released on temporary licence, studying outside a prison environment, and not funded by the Ministry of Justice
- Yet to achieve first full Level 2 qualification
- Yet to achieve a Level 2 in English and/or maths and/or IT
- Economically Inactive as unable to claim income related state benefits
Proof of residency and income will be required.
If not eligible for funded Community Learning courses, a fee of £8 per hour will be charged (additional material costs may be required for certain sessions).
You can only enrol on ONE free* workshop/course at each level, e.g. one Taster, one Starter… and so on. Our new levels are designed to encourage you to learn and progress in your chosen area of interest. If you enrol on multiple workshops/courses at the same level, we’ll contact you to discuss (as there are exceptions), or you’ll be given the opportunity to pay for your place (costs are detailed on each course page).
Community Learning levels…
- Taster – Short workshop suitable for beginners and no longer than 1 day in duration. Designed to provide an overview, intro to a subject. Suitable for learners who wish to gain insight to the subject and see if it’s for them.
- Starter – Beginner level workshop/course, which explores the basics of a subject. Suitable for learners who know they wish to learn about the chosen subject but don’t yet have knowledge and experience.
- Developer – Suitable for learners who have completed a Starter Level in the chosen subject or within a similar subject area, and who wish to progress and explore the subject in more depth.
- Enhancer – Suitable for those who have completed a Developer Level and wish to explore further and learn more extensively.
Other Funding & Finance Options
There are a variety of schemes on offer to help people enter or re-enter adult education. Eligibility rules apply so it’s best to discuss your circumstances with us so we an explain what options are available to you.
Care to Learn
If you’re a young parent up to the age of 20 who wants to continue their education or training, then the Care to Learn scheme provides help with the cost of childcare and related travel expenses. For further information contact the Care To Learn helpline on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.gov.uk/care-to-learn/overview.
Advanced Learner Loan
The Advanced Learner Loan helps students aged 19+ to pay for higher level courses. It’s easy to apply for, doesn’t require a credit check and repayments don’t start until you earn over £25,000/year. Eligible courses include A Levels, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and Certificates and Diplomas at Level 3 and above. For further information, contact the Customer Advice Team on 0330 332 7997 or contact them here.
Parents & Carers
We know that parents and carers play an important part in an individual’s education decisions and that’s why we’re always happy to talk to you to answer your questions and ensure you have the information you need to help your young adult make the right choices. You can call us on 0330 332 7997 or contact the Customer Advice Team here.
Course Fees
Some people will not be eligible for funding and will prefer not to take out a learning loan, in these circumstances a course fee will apply. These fees are shown on the course information pages and will be required to be paid in full prior to the course commencement. Financial support is available to help cover travel and equipment for those who are eligible – please ask.
Let us talk you through the options
We don’t want the funding to get in the way of you taking the next step with learning and we understand that it can be confusing, so we encourage you to contact us. One of our team will happily talk through the options with you.