Course Funding
Funding your chosen course could be easier and cheaper than you initially think. If you work and think that free courses are unavailable to you because you are employed, this may not be the case. There are a range of funding options available to those in employment, all of which are explained below.
Not all of the options listed below apply to all courses, so we recommend you click into each section for a general overview and then contact us to speak to a specialist recruitment adviser for more detail on your chosen programme and the funding options applicable to that course.
If you are interested in studying a Leadership and Management qualification with us, you may find the course is free, if you work for an organisation based in Lancashire, employing less than 250 people. Please see the Leading Lancashire tab below for further details.
Low Wage Entitlement – Do You Earn £17,004 Or Less?
If you are employed but earn an annual gross salary of £17,004 or less, you may be eligible to study a variety of Level 1 and full Level 2 courses for free. The £17,004 is based on your own, individual income, not a combined household income, so your partner’s income does not contribute towards this figure.
Plus, if you are currently on Furlough and your full salary is usually above this figure but your reduced, 80% salary takes you under the £17,004 threshold at the time of enrolment, this funding stream may also be open to you.
Access to this funding depends upon on where you reside.
One of our advisers can discuss funding options with you, based upon your personal circumstances. If you would like to speak to someone this evening, please select the ‘Adult Recruitment Team’ option from the list below and choose your preferred time for a call back.
Not Currently Employed And Claiming A State Benefit
If you are not currently in employment and are claiming a state benefit, you may be eligible to study a variety of Level 1 and full Level 2 courses for free. This is dependent upon the qualification you wish to study and the supplying of appropriate evidence of your benefit.
Access to this funding also depends on where you reside.
One of our advisers can discuss funding options with you, based upon your personal circumstances. If you would like to speak to someone this evening, please select the ‘Adult Recruitment Team’ option from the list below and choose your preferred time for a call back
Advanced Learner Loans
If you are aged over 19 and wish to study an eligible Level 3 course, you could apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of the course tuition fees. Loans are available on a wide range of courses and you won’t have to pay anything back until you are earning over £26,575 per year.
Please note, this option is not available for the ILM Level 3 course.
Instalments
If your chosen course costs £150 or more, you can choose to pay in instalments, by Direct Debit. To pay in this way, your payments must be a minimum of £25 per month and there must be at least three direct debit payments and a maximum of twelve.
Your first payment will be made when you enrol, with further payments made on the first day of the month.
Other Options
If you wish, you can pay by cash*, card or personal cheque. If your employer is paying your fees, we can organise for them to receive an invoice. When you enrol, please supply evidence of your employer agreeing to pay your fees.
*You can pay up to £500 in cash. Anything over £500 can still be paid in cash but you must bring photographic ID and proof of address (E.g. a utility bill).
Leading Lancashire – Leadership and Management Courses Only
If you are considering Leadership and Management study at Level 3 or Level 5 with Preston’s College, we may be able to offer you a fully accredited, ILM Award for free!
To be eligible for support from the Leading Lancashire project you must be:
- Aged 16 or over
- Eligible to live and work in the UK
- Employed
- Working for a Lancashire based SME – Lancashire means organisations which are based in a Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen or Blackpool postcode area. An SME is an organisation, based in Lancashire, employing less than 250 employees across the whole business.
Eligibility criteria and the evidence required for this project can be complex, so to find out more, contact Julie 01772 225025.
To discuss any of the above in more detail, specifically in relation to your own personal circumstances, please contact Julie on: 01772 225025.