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Money - 18+
If you start a further education course after you are 19 you may have to pay towards the cost of your course. However, if you are starting on your first full level 3 qualification you will not have to pay fees. This is for both full and part-time courses.
You can find details about fees in college prospectuses.
For information on funding for higher education see the page entitled Money - higher education.
Here are some of the main ways to fund your learning:
Adult Learning Grant (ALG)
These are for people over 19 who are about to start their first full level 2 or level 3 qualification. Students need to be studying full-time and attending college regularly. ALGs are means-tested, so how much you receive depends on your circumstances.
Follow the link here to find out more.
Career development loans
These are for people aged 18+ who are in full or part-time vocational education. These loans are supported by the government via high street banks who offer favourable interest rates and repayment schemes. See the link here for more information.
Learner support funds
These are funds which are held by further education colleges. They are designed to help students who may be experiencing financial problems. They can help with additional costs such as travel costs, books and equipment.
Paying for Childcare
If you are responsible for the care of a child/children you may be entitled to claim some help towards child care costs through the learner support funds. You need to talk to the staff at the Welfare / Student Support Office where you are studying.
If you are under 19 you may be able to get some help with childcare through the Care to Learn scheme. You can find out more from the link on this page.
Charitable Trusts
Some local charities provide support for students in full or part-time education. These funds are often dependent on where you live and the course you are studying. The funds are not usually large and are designed to cover costs such as books and equipment or specific needs such as travel / field trips. More information on these can be found in your local public library or Connexions Centre library.
