Money Matters

Course Fees
Where courses are for more than one year, the fee published is for the first year of the course only, unless otherwise stated. Some course may also incur additional costs for books, residentials, etc. wherever possible these are also shown.

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, or fail to attend the examination without good reason.

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

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.

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.

Higher Education students apply directly or online at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance for higher education (HE) student support. This consists of a means tested package of loans, grants and allowances for maintenance and a loan for tuition fees.

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.

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 or card, or if the total fee is £150 or more, by monthly standing order (incurs a £20 administration fee). If you choose to pay this way you will be required to pay one third of the fee at the time of enrolment, followed by a maximum of 6 monthly payments (contact Finance for details on 01924 789387).

If your employer, sponsor, student loan company or managing agent has agreed to pay for your course you will need to bring confirmation from them.

I am under 19. Do I still have to pay fees?
If the course is marked with a ‘C’ you will not have to pay for tuition or certification but you will be required to pay for any materials etc. N.B.: you will be required to pay certification fees for a re-sit. You may also be required to pay certification fees if you withdraw from your course or fail to attend your examination without good reason. If a course is NOT marked with a ‘C’ you will have to pay all fees in full. N.B.: exemption from fees may not apply if you are still in full time education at school or if you have been resident outside the UK within the last three years.

For more information contact Registry on 01924 789188.

I’m under 16 and still at school. Do I still have to pay fees?
Yes if you are under 16 on 31 August 2009. If you wish to attend, the fee is approximately £6.20 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 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 studying my first FULL level 3 qualification. Do I still have to pay?
If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and do not already hold a higher qualification, then you may be 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 studying my first FULL level 3 qualification but I am aged 25+. Do I still have to pay?
Yes, unless you do not already hold a FULL level 2 or higher qualification or qualify for remission (see below) in which case you will be entitled to free tuition (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 you may be entitled to fee remission for courses marked with a ‘C’. (Remission applies to tuition and certification fees only). Evidence of benefit will be required e.g. 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 e.g. council tax or housing benefit, income support, income-based jobseekers’ allowance and, in some instances, working tax credits. 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?
Where courses are marked with a ‘C’ and 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£15,276 plus £1000 for each dependant child).

You will have to pay for certification fees, materials etc. Application must be made at least 3 weeks prior to the course start date. For more information contact Financial Support on 01924 789517.

Is there any other financial support available?
Funds may be available if financial difficulties make it difficult for you to complete your course. As a Further Education student you may apply for help towards the cost of books, equipment, childcare, residentials, meals, and travel. If you are a Higher Education student, you should apply online at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. 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. Overseas students are required to pay overseas fees (even where a course is advertised as free), 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?
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 which mean you are no longer able to attend, a refund may be available on request.

Decisions regarding refunds will be made by the College according to the circumstances of each application.