Going on a course?

What do I need to pay for?

If you're thinking about starting a course, it's a good idea to plan ahead and to be aware of the costs in advance.
You'll have to pay for some things before you start. Other costs will crop up while you're on your course.

Here's a quick checklist to help you focus on the costs you'll have to meet, which you may print. Tick the ones that apply to you.

• The course itself e.g. tuition fees, examination and registration fees.
• Books, materials and equipment.
• Transport to and from your place of learning.
• Childcare if you have young children.
• Fees for membership of a professional body.
• One-off costs, such as residential courses

Don't be put off if you've ticked every one!

There's plenty of help available to make learning affordable and will often cover the associated costs (books, transport, childcare) as well as some of the more obvious ones.

And don't panic about your benefits position. Your local Benefits Agency office will be able to tell you exactly where you stand but as a rule, any money you receive to help cover course fees, transport, books and equipment won't affect your entitlement.

Studying while not working

If you're not working, there's a range of financial help on offer. Most of it is available for both full - and part-time courses. Don't forget to find out about local grants and bursaries too - some colleges have special funds that aren't part of any national scheme so it's always worth telling college awards officers or local training providers about your particular circumstances.

Here's an outline of what's available and what's covered.

Adult Learning Grant

If you are aged 19 or over and plan to study full time to do a first level 2 or level 3 qualification, you may be eligible for this. Please visit the website at www.adultlearninggrant.com for full eligibility conditions.

Childcare Support Fund

What is it? Help with the cost of looking after our children while you're working.
Ask: The student awards or welfare officer at your college.

Access Fund

What is it? Help with additional costs such as transport, fees and books.
Ask: The student awards or welfare officer at your college.

Hardship Fund

What is it? Help for students facing serious financial difficulties.
Ask: The student awards or welfare officer at your college.

Grants and bursaries

What is it? One-off payments available to students studying particular subjects.
Ask: Your college or training provider or get hold of one of the publications listed below.

Some national and local organisations, including charities, can sometimes offer grants to students on particular courses. For example, Dance and Drama Awards are offered by 29 private dance and drama schools in England. You should be able to get hold of a list of trusts at your local library or your college may be able to give you details. You could also approach the Educational Grants Advisory Service on 0207 2546251 (Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 10-12am and 2-4pm) - or try and get hold of one of the following publications which may provide further ideas:

The Educational Grants Directory (published by the Directory of Social Change).

The Charities Digest (Waterlow Information Services).

The Grants Register (Macmillan Press).

The Directory of Grant Making Trusts (Charities Aid Foundation).

Work-based learning for adults

What is it? A programme that includes work placements and employability training.
Ask: At your local jobcentre.

Career Development Loans

Career Development Loans are deferred repayment bank loans to help pay for vocational courses. Career Development Loans can cover up to 80% of your course fees or 100% of fees if you have been out of work for more than 3 months. You can also claim for living expenses if your course is full time. You can claim between £300 and £8000.

There are 3 banks which offer Career Development Loans: Barclays, Co-op, Royal Bank of Scotland.

You can get information from the Career Development Loan information line on 0800 585 505

Useful links

Shropshire County Council Education Services - www.shropshire.gov.uk/studentsupport.nsf

DFes -Student Support - www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport

Student Finance - www.support4learning.org.uk

Aimhigher - www.aimhigher.ac.uk

Educational Grants Advisory Service – www.egas-online.org