Financial Support
Bursary Funding
The College has access to a number of Bursary funds aimed at supporting learners with specific financial difficulties which may prevent them from taking part in learning. Eligibility for the funds will be based on household income, and recent evidence of this must be submitted with your application. Bursary applications can be made online.
14-19 SCHOOL LEAVERS
Vulnerable Bursary (16-18 Years Only)
Learners from the following categories are entitled to this bursary:
• In Care (including unaccompanied Asylum Seekers)
• A Care Leaver
• In receipt of Income Support/Universal Credit
• In receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment
16-18 Discretionary Learning Support Fund
Provides financial help towards the cost of equipment, kit (uniform), travel, lunch and breakfast vouchers (for eligible learners).
16-19 Childcare
Funded through the government’s Care to Learn scheme, with a maximum weekly threshold of £160 per child. See www.gov.uk/care-to-learn for more details.
External Grants and Funding
The College engages with a number of external charities and trusts in sourcing financial and other support for students who meet specific eligibility criteria. Previous students have access funding from the Pinecone Trust, Shepherd Street Trust, United Utilities Trust Fund and the Helena Kennedy Foundation.
Free College Meals
Students can access free College meals if aged between 16–18 years old (excluding apprentices) at the start of their course, and if they or their parents are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
• Income Support
• Income based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act (1999)
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC
• Working Tax Credit run on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit (net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 per annum)
If you are aged 19 and continuing on the same study programme that you started before you turned 19, or are aged 19-24 and have a current Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you could also be eligible.
To apply please speak to your Student Manager or visit Student Services.
Transport
Preston’s College offers subsidised Preston Bus, Stagecoach and Transdev bus passes for the local area, for 16 – 18 year old full time learners.
The cost of the bus passes for 16 – 18 year old learners are dependent on the student’s home address/bus company operating area. Further subsidies are also available, subject to eligibility.
• Preston Bus/Citirider: £55 per term
• Central Lancashire zone: £85 per term
• Goldrider/Transdev: £115 per term
19+ learners can apply to the 19+ Bursary fund for financial assistance with the cost of the bus pass, if eligible.
ADULTS
In the current climate, we appreciate the cost of courses and training is important but did you know that you may be entitled to FREE or subsidised study? Even if you are working!
Our team of specialist advisers can access a wide range of funding, to help you pay for the cost of tuition fees, equipment, kit, travel expenses and even childcare! The amount of funding can vary and will depend upon your circumstances (household income) and course of study.
Remember, it’s always worth checking with our team to see what support you could be entitled to, as the rules and guidance can be complex.
If you don’t qualify for funding, you can consider the following options to pay for your course:
Advanced Learner Loans
If you are over 19 and wish to study a Level 3 – Level 6 programme, you could apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. Loans are available on a wide range of courses and you won’t have to pay anything back until you are earning over £25,725 a year. To find out more about your eligibility for an Advanced Learner Loan, please call 01772 22 55 22 or email loansquestions@preston.ac.uk
Pay in Instalment
If you don’t meet the criteria for funding or an Advanced Learner Loan then you could pay in instalments by Direct Debit. To pay by Direct Debit your payments must be a minimum of £25 per month, the course must cost a minimum of £150 and there must be at least three Direct Debit payments (a maximum of 12). Your first payment will be made when you enrol, so please remember to have your bank details to hand. Further payments will be made on the first of the month. Your final payment will be made a month prior to the planned end date of your course.
Other payment options
You can pay by cash*, card or personal cheque. If your employer is paying your fees, we can arrange for them to receive an invoice. Please bring with you evidence that your employer has agreed to pay your fees.
For further information, contact us on 01772 225522 or email: info@preston.ac.uk
*You can only pay cash up to £500 in cash.
GCSE Maths and English
If you don’t hold a GCSE in Maths and English at Grade 4 (C ) or above, you can study either subject for FREE.
If you are earning over £16,009.50 our Learner Support Fund could help towards the cost of your course fees.
Call 01772 225522 for advice and information on funding.
You could get up to 100% of your tuition fees paid, even if you are in full-time employment! (T&Cs apply)
HIGHER EDUCATION
At Preston’s College, we understand that choosing to study for a degree is a big decision, with the financial implications of higher level study playing a key part in the decision making process.
As a higher education student at Preston’s College, the good news is that you do not need to pay anything upfront, your tuition fees can be paid directly to Preston’s College from the Student Loans Company, upon you successfully applying to them for a tuition fee loan, and you will only begin to re-pay the loan once you start to earn a certain amount of money.
The exact amount of tuition fee charged differs from course to course, so please visit your chosen course page for clarification on the exact fee.
A tuition fee loan is available to all eligible students (for eligibility checks, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies). It is not based on household income and a successful application will result in your tuition fees being paid directly to Preston’s College, on your behalf, by the Student Loans Company (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/student-loans-company).
All those starting a course on or after 1st August 2016 are also able to apply for a maintenance loan, to help cover living costs. This is paid directly into your bank account, at the start of each term and like the tuition fee loan, has to be paid back.
The College will set, publish and charge fees for all its course provision. In determining fee levels, the College will operate legally and within national published guidelines where these exist.
Click here to access the HE Fees & Charges page.
Additional information relating to fees can be found in the Fees Policy 2019/20.
Fees differ from course to course, so please visit your chosen course page for confirmation.
Additional Financial Support
Additional financial support is available, to those who qualify, in the form of Childcare Grants (full-time students only), Parents’ Learning Allowance (full-time students only), Adult Dependants’ Grant (full-time students only), Child Tax Credits and Disabled Students’ Allowance. Additional eligibility criteria comes with all of these extra financial support funds and you should check the criteria before applying.
Re-paying your loans
Those who secure a tuition fee loan and/or maintenance loan will have to repay the loan, with any accrued interest. Your loan repayments are linked to your income and you won’t have to start repaying the loan until the April after you have finished your studies and are earning over the threshold. For more information on loans and additional support visit: www.gov.uk/student-finance
Access to Higher Education
All eligible students starting a Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualification, for example, an Access to Higher Education course, at an approved college, such as Preston’s College and aged 19 or above on the first day of their course, can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. Additional eligibility criteria apply. For the most up to date information, please visit: www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
If you successfully complete your access course and progress onto a recognised higher education course and successfully complete that course, Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balance you owe for your Access to Higher Education Course, meaning that the loan you borrowed to complete the Access course at Preston’s College doesn’t have to be paid back.