Fees and finance

Financial Support for Further Education

Student funding can seem a complicated and daunting subject but if you are not sure what you may be entitled to Cameron Self and Jane Simpson, Student Advisers (Finance) can provide you with clear, accurate and confidential advice.

Cameron and Jane are located in The Advice Shop in (A1) in the Norwich Building. They are available for appointments between 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. To book an appoitment please call 01603 773773.

(If you are undertaking a full-time or part-time Higher Education course, please see our dedicated Higher Education funding pages.)

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Tuition and Registration Fees

If you are under 19 on the 31st August prior to the start of your course, then your tuition and registration fees will normally be free. If you are over 19, you will normally be liable for fees. However, if you are studying for your first full Level 2 qualification or first full Level 3 qualification (and you are under 25) - then your tuition fees may be free. In some cases, tuition fee remissions are available if you are in receipt of certain benefits.

If you are studying a 'full-cost recovery' course then, unfortunately,  no financial help will be available to you.

You will be required to pay 25% of your tuition and registration fees when you enrol.

For more information about fee remissions, instalments and methods of payment see our dedicated fees page. For any further information  please contact the Advice Shop on 01603 773 773.
 

Allowances, Grants and Funds

16-19 Bursary Fund

From 2011 onwards extra money will be made available in the form of a 16-19 Bursary Fund. This comprises of two elements:

• Vulnerable Young Person Bursary of up to £1,200 per year if you are in care, a care leaver or in receipt of income support or disability living allowance and employment support allowance.
• General hardship fund to help with costs such as transport, equipment and study trips if your parents have a household income of £16,190 or less.

 Please contact the Advice Shop for more information or an application form.
 

Discretionary Adult Learner Support Fund (dLSF)

If you are over 19 the college has a Learner Support Fund that can provide support if you are on a low income. If you have an gross annual income of £15, 276 or less per year, you will be eligible to apply. If you are married or living with a partner then you will be eligible if your income is £20, 817 or less per year. Help with equipment, regsitration fees, travel or child care may be avialable. For more information please contact The Advice Shop on 01603 773 773 or email financialadvice@ccn.ac.uk.

Residential Support Scheme

If you live beyond a 'reasonable daily travelling distance' from the college and you are studying for your first Level 2 or 3 qualification, then you may be eligible for help with accommodation costs from the Residential Support Scheme - see:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/ExtraHelp/DG_066986
 

Travel Assistance

For Norfolk residents, this may be available if you are

• aged under 19,
• are studying at least 16 hours per week
• and live more than three miles from the College.

A contribution towards the cost of a travel pass is expected in all cases. (A reduced contribution is available to low income families.) For more details, please contact the Passenger Transport Unit, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2SG or call the Student Transport Hotline on 0344 800 8003 or visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/post16transport for further information.

Suffolk students who are under 19 should contact Suffolk County Council about their discretionary travel scheme: 0845 606 6173. A contribution of £150 per term is normally expected.

Discounted First Bus passes are available to all college students and staff and can be used during term and vacation periods.  These can be purchased from the Cashiers Office in the Wroxham building. You will need to take a passport sized photo and your student/staff ID with you.  For more information contact Cashiers on 01603 773155 or the bus company at contactus.fec@firstgroup.com

Help with Childcare

The College does have its own Nursery. It is open from 8.45am-5.15pm for College staff and students. A waiting list system is in operation so please contact the Nursery on 01603 773 121 if you would like to look around the nursery or receive further details.

Help with the costs of childcare are available to some students, depending on their circumstances and their course. If you are under 20, you can apply to the Care to Learn scheme. Please see the following website:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/Caretolearn/DG_066556

If you are over 20 and on a low income then you may be eligible for help from the college Learner Support Fund. For more information contact the Advice Shop on 01603 773773.
 

Benefits

Please note that studying full-time can affect your benefit. If you receive Job Seekers' Allowance - then you would only be able to study on a part-time course (16 or less hours per week). The regulations governing students and benefits are complicated, so please check with the Advisers (Finance) in the Advice Shop if you'd like further information.
 

Educational Charities

The Advice Shop holds lists of local educational charities and we also have a reference copy of 'The Educational Grants Directory' which contains details of national charities.
 

Professional and Career Development Loans

Are special bank loans designed to help you with the cost of work-related learning. Loans vary from £300 to £10,000. For more information call 0800 585 505 or visit this website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/CareerDevelopmentLoans/index.htm
 

FE Loans (2013)

With effect from September 2013 tuition fee loans will be available to further education students who are aged 24 and over and who wish to study for a Level 3 or Level 4 course. The system will operate in a similar way to Higher Education student loans with repayments due after the course is completed and you are earning £21,000 or over.