Funding Guide
Here is our quick guide to the funding available for courses at Telford College. We appreciate that everyone’s circumstances are different, so if you have any questions or would like to speak to one of our friendly student services team, please contact us at studserv@tcat.ac.uk or call 01952 642237
For more information
• Call 01952 642237
• Email studserv@tcat.ac.uk
• Visit defineyourfuture.co.uk
Free courses
You don’t normally have to pay course fees if the following applies to your age, employment status or choice of qualification.
| AGE AS AT 31 AUGUST 2018 |
EMPLOYMENT STATUS |
COURSES YOU CAN STUDY FOR FREE |
| 16-18 | Any | All level 1, 2 and 3 courses are free for 16-18s. |
| Any | Any | Entry level English and maths, GCSE English and maths and functional skills English & maths are free, as long as you have not already achieved grade C/grade 4 or above before you enrol. |
| 19-24 Holding an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) | Any | All courses until you reach the age of 25. |
| 19-23 | Any | You can study your FIRST level 1, level 2 or level 3 qualification for free, provided you have not already achieved a qualification at that level previously. (See Prior qualification chart for list of qualifications at each level ) |
| 19+ | Unemployed, looking for work and in receipt of eligible benefits* |
If you are unemployed and in receipt of eligible benefits, there is no cost for studying a level 1 or level 2 qualification, even if you already have a qualification at that level. |
*Eligible benefits include Job Seekers’ Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit. Wider benefits will also be considered on an individual basis.
Fees & funding
Under the following circumstances, you’ll be required to pay some or all of the course fees, although support may be available either through student loans or our student support team. Please enquire.
| AGE AS AT 31 AUGUST 2018 | EMPLOYMENT STATUS | COURSE TYPE & ELIGIBILITY |
| 19-23 and 24+ | Employed | Level 1 & level 2 qualifications: you may be entitled to up to 50% discount on level 1 and level 2 courses. |
| 19-23 | Any | Level 3 qualifications: you will need to pay full course fees if you already have a level 3 qualification. You can take out an advanced learner loan for the entire cost which is only paid back once you earn over £25,000 per year (If this is your first level 3 qualification, the course is free – see the table opposite). |
| 24+ | Any | Level 3 qualifications: full course fees apply whether you have a level 3 qualification already or not. You can take out an advanced learner loan to pay for the course. This means the government pays the cost of your course fees in the form of a loan. Your annual repayment will be 9% of any income of any income you earn over £25,000. An example of payments: You pay £15 monthly if you earned £27,000. https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/ repayments (for payment reference ) |
| 19-23 and 24+ | Any | Level 4 & 5 (Higher Education): full tuition fees are payable. However, you should be eligible for an advanced learner loan or HE Loan. This means the government pays the cost of your course fees in the form of a loan. An example of payments: You pay £15 monthly if you earned £27,000 in a year. |
Information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication (March 2018) but may be subject to change. Please contact student services for up-to-date information on advanced learner loans and HE loans.
Guide to prior qualification levels
The table below should help you identify which level you are qualified to already. If you are unsure, please contact our student services team who will be happy to review your circumstances and offer advice.
| PRIOR ATTAINMENT LEVEL | QUALIFICATION EQUIVALENT |
| Level 1 | • GCSE grades D-G or 3-1 • Level 1 Award/Certificate/Diploma (e.g. BTEC/ CACHE/City & Guilds) • Level 1 Functional Skills • Level 1 NVQ • Level 1 Technical Awards |
| Level 2 | • 5 or more GCSE grades A*- C or 9 - 4 • 1 A level or 2 AS levels • Level 2 BTEC or City & Guilds Certificates (15+ credits) • Level 2 or Higher Diploma (e.g. BTEC/City & Guilds) • Level 2 NVQ • Level 2 Technical Certificates |
| Level 3 | • 2 A levels or 4 AS levels • Level 3 BTEC or City & Guilds Diploma • Level 3 NVQ • Level 3 Technical or Applied |
