Financial Support

If you are 16-18 and a British or European Union resident and enrolled on a full or part - time further education course there are normally no tuition, registration or examination fees. All students aged 19 years or over on the 1st September are expected to pay for tuition, registration, exam fees and all other course related costs, however assistance with these costs may be available if you are taking a Learning & Skills Council funded course.

View 16-18 Financial Support Details| 
View 19+ Financial Support Details|

What will it Cost?

There are normally no tuition charges to students with British or European Union citizenship who are under 19 years of age. These students will also not be charged fees the first time they sit an exam. The essential materials cost and the costs of any trips and journeys will remain payable regardless of age.

Tuition and exam fees may be charged to students aged 19 or over on 31 August prior to the start of their programme. These fees may be waived for students in receipt of certain means tested benefits and this aspect should be discussed with a member of the interview team. Students may incur certain other costs including:

• Exam re-sit fees
• Essential materials costs
• Charges for exam enquiries and appeals procedures
• Other costs (specialist items, such as books, stationery, trips and equipment, which are paid as they arise)
• Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checking fee
  

Educational Maintenance Allowance

Students aged 19 or under on a full-time course of study, whose household income is under £30,810 year may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). This is a weekly payment f up to £30 a week. In order to qualify for this you must attend all aspects of your course and complete the required work. Your attendance will be monitored each week of term. Bonuses of £100 are available if you remain on your course and make good progress with your studies. You can continue claiming for two or sometimes three years depending on your course and providing your household income does not rise above £30,810. Application forms are available from Student Services, schools, Connexions advisers and the website: www.ema.direct.gov.uk|  

Financial Support

The College has a range of funds available to support students' individual needs, depending on circumstances and we may be able to help towards costs. You can talk in confidence to StudentServices about how to apply for financial support.

Overseas Fees

Under current legislation, UK Government funding is only permitted to be used for UK and EU students who meet the Learning and Skills Council’s funding eligibility rules. Students who do not meet the funding eligibility rules are required to pay fees that cover the full cost of their chosen course(s). Subject to the production of suitable evidence, students granted ‘indefinite leave to remain’ n the UK as asylum seekers may be treated as UK students and may receive remission of fees if they are in receipt of a means-tested benefit or subject to home fees if not. Students that do not quality or fee remission or home fees will be assessed for fees as an international student.

Important Note

All fees and other information are current at the time of going to print (August 2008) but are subject to change for unforeseen reasons at the College’s absolute discretion. The fee due is the fee applicable on enrolment. Please check with the College for the latest fee information.Government policy on entitlement to fee reductions and tax or benefit rules is subject to change. The information printed reflects the College’s understanding at the time of going to print but students should check the current position and their personal circumstances before committing to the College course.

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Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

This is a payment of £10, £20 or £30 per week during term-time for 16-18 year old students that are studying in full-time education and have a family income of less than £30,810. You must have 100% attendance each week to receive payments. In addition there are 2 bonus payments of £100 each for students who succeed with their learning goals.

Learner Support Fund (LSF)

The Learner Support Fund is designed to help support you with costs that arise when studying for a Further Education course. Awards can be made in addition to most grants such as EMA. These funds are limited and are prioritised for students who are facing significant financial hardship. Awards are made towards essential course costs (identified by the College as being required to complete the course) and
calculated at rates the College considers to be reasonable. This could be for books, visits, materials,
equipment or uniform.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarships help outstanding students to reach their full potential. Bursaries, funded by the Trustees of Farnham College, are awarded to students with burning ambitions. There are also student awards for personal qualities, special service and specific subject achievements.

Care to Learn

If you are a young parent, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and travel costs while you’re
studying a qualifying government funded Further Education course. Care to Learn can help pay for: 

• Childcare costs while you learn, including while you are on placement
• Childcare costs for extra home/private study
• A childcare deposit (up to £250) if one is charged
• Any necessary childcare fees payable during holidays in order to retain your child’s place
• Necessary travel costs to and from your childcare provider.

Accommodation and the Residential Bursary Scheme

The College has up to 50 places available to live on-site at Merrist Wood Campus. We also offer a Residential Bursary scheme to assist students with accommodation costs at the Halls of Residence.
For more information call the Accommodation office Tel: 01483 88 40 93.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible for financial support you must be:

• Enrolled on a qualifying, government funded course

In addition to this, to claim for EMA or LSF you must also be: 

• Aged between 16-18 at the start of the academic year
• Living in a household with an income below £30,810
• Studying a full-time course, with a minimum of 12 hours per week (EMA only)
• Resident in the UK (EMA) or England and Wales (LSF) for the last three years.

To apply for the Care to Learn scheme, you must also be: 

• A parent aged under 20 at the start of your college course
• Caring for your own children
• Using a registered childcarer
• Resident in England.

To be eligible for the Residential Bursary you must also be: 

• Studying on your first eligible full-time Level 2 or 3 vocational course
• Unable to find a similar course locally to your home (within reasonable travelling distance)
• Resident in England for the last 3 years.