Costs of studying

All colleges must tell you what the likely costs will be before you enrol on a course or learning programme. They will also be able to advise you on whether there is help to pay for any costs.

It is especially important to check out your situation with specialist staff before you enrol on a learning programme or course if you are receiving benefits or you think you may have problems, in case any decision you make affects your income. There will also be guidance or advice staff in colleges and communities who may be able to help in dealing with your own situation.

In colleges, this will usually be the admissions and guidance, welfare rights or student services sections where staff will be dealing with student financial problems all the time.

In communities, contact the Citizens Advice Bureau, Welfare Rights Advisors in your local authority and your local library will be able to tell you if there are any voluntary organisations who will help.
Other sections in this site may give you some idea of grants and funds and benefits issues which may be relevant to you, but please note that everyone's situation is different and that local and national regulations are complex and may change at short notice.

The information here will not cover every detail, circumstance or personal situation and is only intended as a general guide.

Fees for learning programmes (courses), registration fees and exam fees

Please note: if you do not have to pay fees, you may still have to meet attendance requirements and complete work required by colleges, unless you have a good reason, such as illness. You do not have to pay fees (entitled to fee remission) if you are:

• 16 - 18 (+19 if you have already started the course at age 18). You do not have to pay any tuition fees, enrolment, registration or exam fees. This includes instrumental tuition fees and music exam fees.
  
  
• An unemployed person in receipt of Jobseekers' Allowance.
  
  
• In receipt of income-based benefits, formerly known as means-tested benefits (the main income-based benefits are Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Income Support and Jobseekers' Allowance (income-based).
  
  You may have to pay exam fees for some qualifications. This concession may not apply to all of the learning programmes offered by a college.
  
  
• In receipt of some Tax Credits, including Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Pension Guarantee Credit. If you receive Child Tax Credit you will only be eligible if you are in receipt of another income based benefit or are the partner of a someone receiving Working Tax Credit. If you have a household income of £14,600 or above, you will only be eligible for fee remission if they are receiving a means-tested benefit, other than Child Tax Credit.
  
  You may have to pay exam fees for some qualifications. This concession may not apply to all of the learning programmes offered by a college.
  
  
• Unwaged dependants (as defined by Jobcentre Plus) of those listed above.
  
  
• Taking a basic skills learning programme.
  
  
• An asylum seeker in receipt of the equivalent of income-based benefit (assistance under the terms of the 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act) or their dependant.
  
  
• A learner participating in certain LSC-funded projects or learning programmes.
  
  
• Dance and drama student, eligible for an award. Ask for more information from student services staff.
  
  
• In a low paid job, have a low income or are considered to be disadvantaged. You may be able to attend some courses for free or you can apply to the college to have your fees "remitted" or reduced. Ask the college staff for more information and advice. If you have a household income of £14,600 or above, you will only be eligible for fee remission if they are receiving a means-tested benefit, other than Child Tax Credit.
  
  

Many colleges do not have registration fees but if your college charges a registration fee, it will normally be one payment each time you enrol on a course or programme, usually once a year.

Some colleges provide help through Learner Support Funds schemes for students to help with fees. Ask your student services advisor or tutor when you apply for the course or when you enrol.

• Some courses or programmes in a college are free for everyone or may be set up for people who are unemployed, lone parents or are eligible for other reasons. These will be free and sometimes will include expenses for materials, travel or child care. If you are getting benefits, it is always useful to get independent guidance about learning programmes and finance before you start or if you are returning to study, before you voluntarily leave any job. You may also be eligible through a New Deal or other scheme
  
  
• If you have to pay for your course, you may be able to get a discount on some courses, through particular schemes. Ask the student advisers when you enrol if there are any schemes operating.
  
  
• If you are working for an employer, there are training allowances available for employees. Contact your personnel department, learndirect (or telephone free, tel: 0800 100 900), your local Jobcentre, Chamber of Commerce or Business Link
  
  
• If you are self-employed, you may be able to get training funds to support your learning. Contact learndirect (or telephone free, tel: 0800 100 900), your local Jobcentre, Chamber of Commerce or Business Link
  
  
• Colleges are allowed to charge for exams and resits:
  • where you haven't met attendance or work requirements;
  • where you fail, without a good reason, to sit the exam which was originally paid for by the college;
  • because you are retaking because of a previous failure;
  • because you are retaking to get slightly better grades.

• If you are studying in areas such as Art and Design, Construction, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Hotel and Catering, Horticulture, Music, Photography, Performing Arts, you might need to buy specialist equipment, materials or clothing.
  
  
• Where equipment and clothing is required for health and safety reasons, you should have the option of borrowing appropriate clothing and equipment free of charge.
  
  
• If the college provides you with other specialist equipment and clothing which you can keep, there may be a charge.
  
  
• Unemployed people studying on certain programmes may receive some help with expenses.
  
  
• If you are a disabled person or have an impairment and you need specialist equipment or support to follow your programme, ask college staff for advice as there are funds, which the college can apply for, to provide what you require. The college is also required, under the Disability Discrimination Act, to provide you with appropriate aids for studying. You should ensure that provision and procedures cover all your specific requirements and you know who to contact, if whatever is agreed in your learning plan does not happen or you need to change your agreed requirements.
  
  
• Colleges will also provide help through Learner Support Fund and similar schemes for people who meet their criteria.

• Pens, pencils, paper, photocopying, printing, computer disks and books would be included in this category. Some funds such as Educational Maintenance Allowances should help you to meet these costs. You may be able to buy second hand books from previous students - some colleges or student unions organise sales early in the new academic year. Colleges may have different policies from each other, particularly for photocopying, printing and computer disks and you should check with your course tutor on the cheapest options.
  
  
• You may also be able to get discounts on general study materials if you join with other students and buy in bulk from shops or suppliers. Check out office suppliers and mail order, as they are sometimes cheaper than the high street shops.
  
  
• Some colleges & universities run shops or schemes where general study materials are offered at a discount. Check with the students union or with student services.
  
  
• If you have specific financial problems, colleges may be able to provide help through the Learner Support Fund and similar schemes for people who meet their criteria.

• Deposits for lockers, ID cards, keys, library cards, Smart cards, equipment etc. that are usually refundable;
  
  
• Administration fees for replacements, where items have been lost or damaged;
  
  
• Fines, e.g. for library books;
  
  
• Photocopying, copying of CDs, printing etc.;
  
  
• Leisure & non-academic facilities which are not part of a course or part of a Student Union membership entitlement;
  
  
• Optional extra activities e.g. visits, which are not a requirement of a course.

• Each Local Education Authority publishes a transport policy statement with information on the services, discounts & concessions which are available for 16 - 19 & other students in your area.
  
  
• Check which college sites you will be studying at, any possible work placements or visits to universities, if you are considering applying to a University course. You may be able to apply for travelling costs from the university you are visiting or from the college.
  
  
• Daily or weekly transport costs may be reduced where local buses or trains operate reduced fare schemes. Check with the college or your local transport authority for local schemes & reductions. Some colleges provide transport schemes for their students. Students on New Deal programmes & other programmes may have access to cheaper travel, although it may not be available for people on all the New Deal programmes.
  
  
• You may be entitled to a travel pass or financial help with travel expenses, if you are aged 16 - 19 or you are a disabled person or have learning difficulties.
  
  
• There is a residential pilot scheme that will help with attending specialist level 3 (& in some cases, level 2) courses that are beyond reasonable travelling distance. This means a return daily journey taking more than 2 hours, or a distance of more than 15 miles from college to the student’s home or a journey that requires more than one change on public transport.
  
  
• If you need specialist transport, discuss this with college staff who may be able to help with transport arrangements.

• Travel support in Scotland - an income-assessed grant to meet the cost of daily travel to your college or university. If you live away from home, you may also receive the cost of travel between your home & term-time address at the start and end of each term. You may also be able to claim funds support if you are studying abroad.
  
  Applications available from December 2004, to claim for the September term. If you are suffering financial hardship & you have dependants or high travelling expenses, you can apply during the first term for an early payment of 50% of your expenses. If you need an advance payment, contact Student Awards Agency with details of how much you spend on travel every week or month.
  
  Travel claims not paid:
  • Travelling expenses of students whose parents live abroad, but will consider applications for travel costs to & from the point of departure & arrival in the United Kingdom;
    
    
  • If you live within easy walking distance of your college or university;
    
    
  • If your expenses are less than £155;
    
    
  • If you have only claimed your tuition fees (or your fees & a non income-assessed loan);
    
    
  • If you are on a ‘sandwich’ course & are carrying out a period of paid work experience;
    
    
  • Travel costs between your home & term-time address if your home is abroad;
    
    
  • Air fares within the UK unless you can prove that the air fare is cheaper than other transport, or you live in Orkney, Shetland or the Western Isles & have to travel to study on the mainland;
    
    
  • Parking fees, taxi fares, tips, sleeper berths, carrying luggage, bicycles or pets, food & drink for the journey;
    
    
  • Travel for vacation and field courses;
    
    
  • Private transport ,unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example if you live in a rural area where public transport is not available, claims are restricted to the cost of public transport.

• It is best to ask student services staff in the college as early as possible, when you apply and don't wait until you enrol.
  
  
• There may be some child care places available at colleges or universities, but quite often there are waiting lists, so apply as soon as possible and speak to student services staff who may be able to help with other suggestions.
  
  
• The Care to Learn scheme provides funds for parents under 16 and 16 - 19, & your childcare & additional travel costs will be met. You can use a registered childminder, pre-school playgroup, day nursery, out of school club, or other registered childcare (such as college nursery or crèche), but not pay your relatives or friends if they are not registered.
  
  
• If you are a lone parent, you may be able to get up to £5,125 per dependent child in any one academic year from the Learner Support Fund in your college. The funds are pro-rata for full-time part year students & part-time students, based on guided learning hours. You should use wherever possible, registered child care support, but in exceptional circumstances, the fund can pay for up to 2 hours a day, of unregistered childcare, where registered childcare is not available and conditions under the Children Act 1989 are met. Informal childcare, such as that provided by a relative, cannot be funded. In exceptional circumstances, incidental costs can be paid for when you arrange for your child to be cared for by a relative, as relatives are exempt from the requirement to register.
  
  
• You may be eligible for Tax Credits, support from Jobcentre Plus programmes & other forms of help. Ask for advice from student service advisors or welfare rights advisors, before you enrol.
  
  
• Some other courses or learning programmes may also include an allowance for child care or you may be able to get some support from college learning support, access or welfare funds, New Deal & other programmes. There are also other schemes that may be available in your college or in your area so please ask for information. See also the page on child care information for general advice on choosing childcare and other resources.

• Colleges should tell you about the costs of any compulsory field trips, visits or activities when you enrol. Some of these activities may be voluntary but very useful for your course. If there is no support available for people on a low income, it may conflict with a college's equality policy.
  
  if you have difficulties meeting the costs, you should apply early on to the Learner Support Fund or other college fund, especially if it would affect your learning, if you are unable to participate.
  
  Disabled students should be provided with sufficient support from the college to participate, otherwise the college will be in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act.
  
  Discuss these issues with your course tutor or with student services as early as possible.
  
  If you are receiving benefits, it is important to get advice from student services for advice, particularly if you are away for a week or more.
  
  
• There may also be special funds for international exchanges, but please check out your position with student services, if you are on benefits, as early as possible.

• Extra expenses, as a result of studying, may include the cost of food in student refectories or canteens. They are not necessarily cheaper than commercial services.
  
  Some colleges may provide free meals for students 16 - 19 who have been getting free meals at school.
  
  
• Residential bursaries are available at 51 designated specialist colleges, mainly offering Agriculture, Horticulture, or Art and Design for up to £3,715, inside London, £3,150 outside London, in any one academic year. Allocations are pro-rata for full-time part year students, based on guided learning hours. Part-time students, are not eligible.
  
  If you need additional funds to attend a course that is not available near to your usual home or accommodation, you may be able to get funds from a pilot residential allowance scheme. It is for students aged 16 or over on a full-time Level 3 course or above, or in exceptional circumstance, a course with Level 2 content, for a further education qualification that meets a specific job requirement. You could receive up to £3,000 per year (or £3,500 per year, if you are going to study in London) towards your accommodation costs or may receive travelling costs to help you to and from the college. Contact student services or admissions and guidance staff in the college for more information.
  
  
• If you think you may be in difficulties over bills or debts, don't panic! Contact student services or a money advice adviser in your local authority, Citizens Advice Bureau or local community group, if they have a trained adviser, as soon as possible. They can advise on priorities, help with budgeting, negotiate with organisations or help with any court case if necessary, and arrange payments over a period of time. It is usually best to get advice and help early rather than putting it off.
  
  
• There are links to other finance, money management and money advice sites in our money section.