What Will It Cost?

All you need to know about getting
financial support... 

"Do I qualify for a course discount?"

If you receive one of the benefits listed below we will offer you a 100% discount on the tuition part of the fee. Therefore, you will only pay the Reduced Fee listed throughout this Guide, (which includes the exam costs, materials and registration costs). These fee discounts are also available to the unwaged dependent of someone receiving one of the benefits listed below:

• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Job Seeker’s Allowance (income or contribution based)
• Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit)
• Working Tax Credit (where the household income is less than £15,050)
• 100% Council Tax Benefits.

If you are eligible for a fee reduction you will need to provide evidence of your current benefit status. This could be an up-to-date copy of a benefit letter or a certificate from the Benefits’ Office.

Financial help

If your gross family income is under £20,817 per year, you may be able to apply to the Learner Support Fund for help with additional costs, e.g. kit, uniform and materials. This support applies to:

• National qualifications (eg, GCSE Maths)

• OCN qualifications

• Everyday skills courses

• English for Speakers of Other Languages

"Do I qualify for a Level 2 or Level 3 discount on my course?"

As part of a Government drive to improve the skill levels of the working population, funding has been made available to support you in acquiring a first ‘full’ Level 2 or first ‘full’ Level 3 qualification.

Level 2 discount

If you do not have any of the following qualifications, you do not have to pay the tuition fee: NVQ Level 2, BTEC First

Diploma, 5 GCSEs/O Levels at grades A-C or a higher qualification. This means that you will be eligible to pay the Reduced Fee on some courses.

Level 3 discount

If you are under 25 years old and do not have any of the following qualifications, you do not have to pay the tuition fee: BTEC National Diploma, 2 A Levels or higher. This means that you will be eligible to pay the Reduced Fee on some courses.

Please check whether either of these discounts apply to you by calling Weston College’s Enrolment Team on 01934 411 481.

Adult Learning Grants (ALG)

Adult Learning Grants provide financial support if you are enrolled on your first ‘full’ Level 2 or 3 course and studying or at least 12 hours per week. This Grant offers a payment of £10, £20 or £30 per week (subject to financial assessment) for students over 19 years of age.

Students receiving Job Seeker’s Allowance, Income Support or Incapacity Benefit cannot apply. Apprentices and New Deal students are not eligible.

Free courses

In most cases our Skills for Life (Numeracy and Literacy) courses are free of charge.

Under 16

If you are aged under 16 at 31.08.09 and wish to enrol on a course advertised in this Learning and Training Guide, you should contact Student Services for further advice and guidance on the cost of the course. The costs for you if you are under 16 years of age are calculated using the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Funding Guide. These costs are higher than those listed in this Guide as we do not receive any financial support from the LSC for students under the age of 16.

Aged 16-18

If you are aged 16-18 at 31.08.09 and on a course leading to a qualification, the tuition and exam fees are free. Students from outside the European Union Fees will be charged at the national rates in accordance with the Learning and Skills Council Funding Document for 2009/20010. Please contact Student Services on 01934 411584 for further details.

Material costs

For some courses you will be required to purchase books and/or other materials.

Refunds

If you change your mind before the start of the course and within 14 days of your enrolment date, you may request a full refund.

If you change your mind before the start of the course or within the first three weeks of the course, you may transfer to another course paying any additional fees if necessary. We will give you a credit note for the balance of fees paid, if your new course choice is cheaper. (Valid for one calendar year.)

If you wish to withdraw from a course, a credit note will be issued for the remaining proportion of your course to a maximum of 50% of the fees paid. (Valid for one calendar year.)

It is our policy to offer refunds only when the College has to close a course. If you require any further information about refunds, please write to the Head of Student Services requesting a copy of our Fees Policy 2009/20010.

For further information on course costs and discounts please contact the Advice and Guidance Team, click here to send us an online message.