Course Fees
Adults aged 19+ may have to pay for their course fees. However, the UK Government or South Tyneside College will help with course fees on some funded courses if you are:
Studying for courses up to Level 2 (all ages)
• in receipt of JSA (including those receiving national insurance credits only)
• in receipt of ESA (WRAG group)
• receiving Universal Credit and mandated to attend the course
• declare at enrolment that you are actively searching and preparing for work and in receipt of either ESA, incapacity benefit, income support or DLA
You may also be entitled to fee remission if you are 19+ and:
• Applying for your first full Level 2 course (aged 19 - 23)
• Applying for your first full Level 3 course (aged 19 - 23) and do not hold a previous Level 2 qualification e.g. (5 GCSEs or O levels at Grade C or above)
• Under 24 years of age and applying for a first full Level 3
• Studying maths and English language GCSE and do not already hold a C grade in these subjects
• Studying aims that are Adult Basic Skills certificates and functional skills in Maths and English (excluding ESOL basic skills)
• Studying for Entry Level or a Level 1 qualification and requiring a step-up from basic skills in order to progress to a full Level 2 (aged 19-23)
Please note: The above does not apply to full-cost or higher education courses. Please contact Student Services on 0191 427 3900 for details.
Some learners over 19 who are completing courses as part of their employment might not receive funding if the course is not their first full Level 2. This is known as workplace learning and can be delivered in the workplace or at College. Please speak to Student Services to check your funding status
FE Loans
FE loans are available for students aged over 19 wanting to study full Level 3 qualifications as well as approved courses at levels 4 and 5 from September 2016. Rather than having to pay for courses up front students will be able to access a loan that they will repay once they have left the course and are earning over £21,000.
If your loan is for the Access Programme to Higher Education (APHE) and you progress to complete a Higher Education programme, you will not have to pay back your FE loan.
More information and application forms are available on the following website: www.gov.uk/advanced-learning-loans/how-to-claim
Help with study costs
If you are aged 19+, you may be able to gain financial help towards the costs of coming to College. This can include money for extras such as travel, books, childcare, equipment and course trips.