Money Matters & Tuition Fees

Course Fees
Where courses are for more than one year, the fee published in College prospectuses or on Course Information sheets is for the first year of the course only, unless otherwise stated. Some course may also incur additional costs for books, residentials, etc.

Certification (Registration/Examination) fees
Courses may incur a fee to register you with an awarding body for your qualification or exams. These fees are normally charged at the time of enrolment and are non-refundable. Even if you have been exempt from paying these fees they will become payable if you withdraw from your course, of fail to attend the examination without good reason.

Please note exemption of fees is not applicable for re-sit of examinations.

I am under 19. Do I still have to pay fees?
If you are aged 16-18 and studying on a full-time course you will not have to pay for tuition or certification, but you will be required to pay for any materials etc. Please note: you will be required to pay certification fees if it is for a re-sit. Additionally, you may be required to pay certification fees if you withdraw from your course or fail to attend your examination without good reason. N.B. exemption from fees may not apply if you are still in full time education at school and wish to follow part of your course at College or if you have been resident outside the UK within the last three years. For more information contact Registry on 01924 789188.

Financial Support
Depending on your circumstances, age and the course you wish to complete, there is a range of financial support available. Full-time students aged 16 - 19 can apply for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and may be eligible for up to £30 per week during term-time, plus bonuses depending on parents’ income. Full-time students, aged under 19 are also eligible to apply for a Scholar’s Metro Photo Card towards travel.

Students over 19 studying full-time for their first Level 2 or Level 3 qualification may be eligible for a means tested Adult Learning Grant (ALG) of up to £30 per week during term-time. Students over 18 ineligible for other funding may be eligible to apply for a Career Development loan (CDL). Phone 0800 585505, visit www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/coll.

Higher Education students apply directly to their Local Education Authority (LEA) or online at www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk for higher education student support. This consists of a means tested package of loans, grants and allowances for maintenance and a loan for tuition fees.

Learner Support Funds may be available to students who face financial difficulties, which may make it difficult for them to complete their studies. You can apply for funding towards costs that are incurred as a result of your attendance at College, for example, books and equipment, residential costs, help towards meals, childcare and travel.

For more information contact Financial Support on 01924 789304, 789283 or 789517, email student.finance@wakefield.ac.uk.

How can I pay for my course?
You will be expected to pay for your course when you enrol. You can pay by cash, cheque and card or if the total fee is £300 or more by monthly standing order (this incurs a £15 administration fee). If you choose to pay by monthly standing order you will need to bring your bank details with you and you are required to pay one third of the fee at the time of enrolment (you will not be able to complete your enrolment without paying this fee). This option allows for a maximum of 6 monthly payments but could be less depending on the course end date (contact Finance for details on 01924 789387).

If your employer, sponsor or managing agent has agreed to pay for your course you will need to bring a letter from them, which confirms their agreement to pay.

I am under 16 and still at school. Do I still have to pay fees?
Yes. We do not receive any funding for students who are under 16 on 31 August 2006. If you wish to attend, the fee is approximately £5 per hour plus certification fees and any materials etc. You will need to bring a letter from your head teacher supporting your enrolment at College.

I am studying my first FULL level 2 qualification. Do I still have to pay?
If the course you are studying is your first FULL level 2 qualification and you do not already hold a higher qualification, then you are entitled to free tuition fees (additional fees will still be payable). You will need to complete a declaration form when you enrol. For more information contact Registry on 01924 789312.

I am on benefit. Do I still have to pay?
If you are receiving an income based benefit (formerly means tested benefit) you may be entitled to fee remission on certain courses. (Please note that remission applies to tuition and certification fees only as you will be expected to pay for materials etc.) Evidence of benefit will be required before you can be enrolled. This may be a benefit book, award notice, or official letter stating the type of benefit you are receiving. A Jobseekers card is NOT acceptable evidence. Also applicable to unwaged dependants as defined by the Benefits Agency.

What is income based benefit?
These are benefits for which you do not automatically qualify but where a decision is made based on your circumstances. Examples are council tax benefit, housing benefit, income support, income-based jobseekers’ allowance and, in some instances, the new tax credits. If you are not sure if you qualify then contact Registry on 01924 789188.

I am on benefit but it is not ‘income based’. Do I still have to pay?
Yes, unless you qualify for fee remission based on low income - see below.

I am on low income and am not sure I can afford the fees.
For some courses if the tuition fee is over £150, the College operates a system of remitting some tuition fees for students who are not on an income based benefit but are on a very low income (gross income of less than £15050, for those students with dependants the figure will be increased by £1000 for each dependant child) - though you will have to pay for certification fees, materials etc.

If you wish to apply for remission of fees, this must be done at least 3 weeks prior to the course start date, you will need to complete a form giving details of yours and your partner’s financial circumstances. If your application is successful, you will need to present your letter showing the decision to the enrolling officer otherwise you will be required to pay the fees in full. For more information contact the Student Services Manager on 01924 789544.

Is there any other financial support available?
Funds may be available to you if you face financial difficulties which may make it difficult for you to complete your course. As a Further Education student you may apply to Financial Support for help towards the cost of books, equipment, childcare, residentials, meals, and travel.

If you are a full-time or part-time Higher Education student, you should apply directly to your Local Education Authority (LEA) for means-tested support towards tuition fees and financial support towards living and/or course costs.

If you are under 18 and attending full-time you may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance.

For more information contact Financial Support 01924 789283 or 789517.

I have lived outside the UK. Will I be charged overseas fees?
If you have been resident outside the UK within the last three years you may be considered as an overseas student. If you are a home student you will be asked to supply evidence (official letter, passport etc) to support your home student status. Overseas students are required to pay overseas fees (even where a course is advertised as free, as no concessions are available), which are considerably higher than fees for home students (i.e. those resident in the EU). For more information contact Registry on 01924 789188.

I am an International student. What are the fees?
Please contact our International Centre on 01924 789554 for details of fees.

Can I get a refund of my fees if I withdraw from my course?
Course places are limited and by enrolling you are reserving a place that cannot be filled by anyone else after the start of the course. As such refunds are not usually available.

However, if the College closes a course, and no suitable alternative course is available, a refund will be given on request.

For changes made to courses by the College such as the day, time or location of the course, which mean you may no longer be able to attend, a refund may be available on request.

The decision as to whether a refund will be granted and the amount of such refund will be determined by the College according to the circumstances of each application.