Financial Support

If you are a home student (see below) and are under 19 at the beginning of your course, you do not have to pay course or exam fees for the majority of courses (see exceptions below).  However, if you have to re-sit any exams you will be required to pay the exam fee.

You may be required to pay a Resources Fee for items such as materials, visits, uniform, books or equipment. Check the ‘COSTS/EQUIPMENT’ section of the course information page. You will also be told about this when you come to college for your interview.

Exceptions

The following are examples of the types of courses which are not free to students who are under 19 years:

• short courses e.g. 1 day management courses, rural short courses, etc.
• leisure courses e.g. creative crafts, language classes etc.
• higher education courses e.g. HNCs, HNDs and Foundation Degrees, etc.
• professional qualifications, e.g. AAT, ILEX, CIMA, CLC etc.

Please ring the Student Records and Funding team on 01444 711900 if you would like more information on the fees for a particular course.

The Learning Support Grant & Bursary

Students (or their families) who are in receipt of eligible benefits or have a low income and are studying a course that leads to a government funded qualification, may be eligible for an award from our Learning Support Grant.

This grant can provide you with help with travel costs, equipment, books or resources, a contribution towards childcare costs, help to pay UCAS admin fees and a contribution towards enrichment activities linked to your course.

You can apply online (via online portal) for the Learning Support Grant. We have tried to make applying as simple as possible, but it will involve filling in online forms, providing evidence and telling us about your financial situation. We will then make an assessment based on your personal circumstances.

Applications for the coming academic year open in August. Students are encouraged to apply early.

If you have questions about the Learning Support Grant and Bursary please contact studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk.

Care to Learn

Young parents under 20 at the start of the course may be entitled for help with childcare costs up to £160 per week whilst studying. The childcare provider must be Ofsted registered. You may also get help with the additional travel costs you have to pay so you can take your child from home to the childcare provider.

Find out more about Care to Learn at: www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or by calling 0800 121 8989.

Am I a Home Student?

Home students are people who have lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for a minimum of three years for reasons other than education and have settled or pre-settled status. For more information about whether you qualify as a home student please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900.

Contact us

Please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900 for more information about whether you would be liable for fees.

In line with government guidelines, if you are a home student and are 19-23 when you start your course, you will be asked to pay the published fees for your courses unless you fit into one of the following categories.

You may be required to pay a Resources Fee for items such as materials, visits, uniform, books or equipment. Check the ‘COSTS/EQUIPMENT’ section of the course information page. You will also be told about this when you come to college for your interview.

First level 2 qualification

FEE WAIVER

Students aged 19-23 may be eligible for a waiver of course fees if they are studying their first government-designated full level 2 qualification. This waiver may also be available for students who are studying an Entry Level or Level 1 course with the intention of progressing to Level 2.

Unemployed and low wage workers

FEE WAIVER FOR LEVEL 2 AND BELOW

Students aged 19-23 who already have a full level 2 qualification and are either unemployed and in receipt of certain benefits, or who earn less than £20,319 annual gross salary, may be eligible for a waiver of tuition and/or exam fees.

Subsidised courses

FEES FOR LEVEL 2 COURSES AND BELOW

Students aged 19-23 who already have a full level 2 qualification, and who are not categorised as unemployed or low wage, will pay the published fees for courses at level 2 or below.

First level 3 qualification

FEE WAIVER

Students aged 19-23 may be eligible for waiver of course fees if they are studying their first government-designated full level 3 qualification, such as A Levels, T Levels or Level 3 qualifications.

‘National Skills offer’

FEE WAIVER FOR CERTAIN LEVEL 3 COURSES

Students aged 19+ may be eligible for a waiver of course fees if they are studying a level 3 course which is on the government’s ‘National Skills Offer’ list. To find out whether your course is on the National Skills Offer list please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900

Advanced Learner Loan for level 3 courses

If you do not qualify for one of the waivers above, an Advanced Learner Loan can cover the cost of course fees and you don’t need to start repayments until you earn over £25,000. The Advanced Learner Loan is provided by the government and is not means tested, subject to any credit checks and does not take your current employment status into account.

Eligibility: You can usually apply for an Advanced Learner Loan if you are:

• aged 19+ on the first day of the course
• enrolling on an eligible course at Level 3, 4, 5 or 6
• are a UK national or have been living in the UK for 3 years and have ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled status’.

Apply: The first step is to check with the college that the course you are applying for is eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan. You can then apply for the course and the college will issue you with a Learning and Funding Information letter, along with your offer of a place. You’ll then need to register and apply online via gov.uk.

The loan: The loan will be deducted automatically through the tax system once you are earning over £25,000. The amount you repay will depend on how much you earn, for example:

• if you earn £27,000 per year, your monthly repayments will be £15 a month
• if you earn £30,000 per year, your monthly repayments will be £37 a month

You can also borrow a proportion of the course cost and pay for the rest yourself. The minimum loan amount is £300.

Note: 

• If you are applying for a Higher Education course e.g. foundation degree or top-up degree, you will need to apply for a loan via Student Finance England.
• If you progress from an Access to HE course to complete a Higher Education qualification, the outstanding Advanced Learner Loan will be written off.
• If you choose to withdraw after the first 4 weeks of the course, you will be liable for the unpaid portion of the tuition fees.
• The Learning Support Grant may still be available to successful applicants of the 19+ Advanced Learning Loan if the total household income is below £34,000.

Care to learn

Young parents under 20 at the start of the course may be entitled for help with childcare costs up to £160 per week whilst studying. The childcare provider must be Ofsted registered. You may also get help with the additional travel costs you have to pay so you can take your child from home to the childcare provider.

Find out more about Care to Learn at www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or by calling 0800 121 8989.

Am I a Home Student?

Home students are people who have lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for a minimum of three years for reasons other than education and have settled or pre-settled status. For more information about whether you qualify as a home student please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900

Contact us

Please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900 for more information about whether you would be eligible for fees.

If you are a home student and are 24 or over when you start your course, the following categories will show if you have to contribute to your course fees in line with government guidelines.

You may be required to pay a Resources Fee for items such as materials, visits, uniform, books or equipment. Check the ‘COSTS/EQUIPMENT’ section of the course information page. You will also be told about this when you come to college for your interview.

Unemployed and low wage workers 

FEE WAIVER FOR LEVEL 2 AND BELOW

Students aged 24+ who are unemployed and in receipt of certain benefits, or who earn less than £20,319 annual gross salary, may be eligible for a waiver of course fees.

Subsidised courses

FEES FOR LEVEL 2 COURSES AND BELOW

Students aged 24+ who are not categorised as unemployed or low wage, will pay the published fees for courses at level 2 or below.

‘National Skills offer’

FEE WAIVER FOR CERTAIN LEVEL 3 COURSES

Students aged 24+ may be eligible for a waiver of course fees if they are studying a level 3 course which is on the government’s ‘National Skills Offer’ list. To find out whether your course is on the National Skills Offer list please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900.

Advanced Learner Loan for level 3 courses

If you do not qualify for one of the waivers above, an Advanced Learner Loan can cover the cost of course fees and you don’t need to start repayments until you earn over £25,000. The Advanced Learner Loan is provided by the government and is not means tested, subject to any credit checks and does not take your current employment status into account.

Eligibility: You can usually apply for an Advanced Learner Loan if you are:

• aged 19+ on the first day of the course
• enrolling on an eligible course at Level 3, 4, 5 or 6
• are a UK national or have been living in the UK for 3 years and have ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled status’.

Apply: The first step is to check with the college that the course you are applying for is eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan. You can then apply for the course and the college will issue you with a Learning and Funding Information letter, along with your offer of a place. You’ll then need to register and apply online via gov.uk.

The loan: The loan will be deducted automatically through the tax system once you are earning over £25,000. The amount you repay will depend on how much you earn, for example:

• if you earn £27,000 per year, your monthly repayments will be £15 a month
• if you earn £30,000 per year, your monthly repayments will be £37 a month

You can also borrow a proportion of the course cost and pay for the rest yourself. The minimum loan amount is £300.

Note: 

• If you are applying for a Higher Education course e.g. foundation degree or top-up degree, you will need to apply for a loan via Student Finance England.
• If you progress from an Access to HE course to complete a Higher Education qualification, the outstanding Advanced Learner Loan will be written off.
• If you choose to withdraw after the first 4 weeks of the course, you will be liable for the unpaid portion of the tuition fees.
• The Learning Support Grant may still be available to successful applicants of the 19+ Advanced Learning Loan if the total household income is below £34,000.

Am I a Home Student?

Home students are people who have lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for a minimum of three years for reasons other than education and have settled or pre-settled status. For more information about whether you qualify as a home student please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900.

Contact us

Please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900 for more information about whether you would be eligible for fees.

If your residency status makes you eligible for funding (see below) and you are 19+ when you start your ESOL course, you will receive the following support with your course fees.

Unemployed and low wage workers 

FEE WAIVER FOR ESOL UP TO LEVEL 2

Students aged 19+ who are unemployed and in receipt of certain benefits, or who earn less than £20,319 annual gross salary, may be eligible for a waiver of course fees.

Subsidised courses 

ESOL COURSES UP TO LEVEL 2

Students aged 19+ who are studying ESOL courses up to level 2 who are not categorised as unemployed or low wage, will pay the published fees for their course.

Does my residency status make me eligible for funding?

To be eligible for funding you must have either:

• lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for a minimum of three years for reasons other than education and have settled or pre-settled status or
• Have another eligible immigration status as defined by the Education and Skills Funding Agency

For more information about whether you qualify for funding please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900.

Contact us

Please contact our Student Records and Funding team at studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk or on 01444 711900 for more information about whether you would be eligible for fees.

If you are facing financial difficulties that mean you may have trouble paying for your transport to college, please contact Student Services for information on any assistance that may be available to you.

16-17 Saver railcard

You can get a 16-17 saver if you are 16 or 17. It will give you 50% off most rail fares and can be purchased online at www.16-17saver.co.uk. The current cost is £30 for a year.

16-25 Railcard

You can get a 16-25 Railcard if you are aged between 16 and 25, or you are a mature student. The railcard will give you 1/3 off a range of tickets as well as other discounts. Railcards can be purchased online at www.16-25railcard.co.uk or at any staffed Ticket Office. The current cost is £30 for a year.

If a course is cancelled by the college, you’ll receive a full refund of fees paid.

Courses which are longer than one term

If you choose to leave your course within 28 days of it starting and the course is longer than a term, a refund may be made of the fees paid, minus a £50 administration charge and any payments made to examining or other bodies that cannot be reclaimed by the college. After 28 days of the course commencing, you will be liable for paying the full cost of the course. If you have an Advanced Leaner Loan they will stop their payments to us and the remainder of the fees will be payable directly by you.

Courses which are one term or less

If you are booked on a short course and cancel at least 14 working days before the course start date you will receive a refund of the course fee minus a £50 administration fee. If you cancel less than 14 days before the start of the course or leave the course after it has started, no refund will be given.

Exceptional circumstances

Where there are exceptional personal circumstances, an application for a refund may be made in writing to the Head of Financial Services.