Paying for your course

Course costs depend on a number of factors and applicants are advised to ask for further information from the Student Admissions and Support department; however in general the following guidelines are in operation:-

Students aged 16-18 on 1st September

In the majority of cases all course tuition and exam fees are free.

Adult basic education courses

In the majority of cases all courses are free.

PCDL Courses (Adult and Community Leisure Courses)

(All PCDL courses start with the code Q_ACL_)

From 1st March 2009 PCDL course fees must be paid in full at enrolment along with any additional fees.

No refunds are given unless the course is cancelled.

Students aged 19 and over on 1st September

There are tuition and exam fees for most courses, these fees are usually payable at enrolment, please see payment methods and instalment policy for details.

However, students on courses that are LSC funded will be entitled to have their course fees waived if the student is in receipt of a means tested benefit, or is the unwaged dependent of someone in receipt of a means tested benefit. Students should note that they will be required to pay any additional fees such as exam / registration fees.

For courses that are not LSC funded ie ECR courses (Economic Cost Recovery) full fees will be due from ALL students.

Full-time degree, HND and all Cert. Ed. courses

Students starting courses in September 2009 can apply online at www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk at the same time as making their UCAS application.  This service will be available from September 2008.

Financial Support (click here for more information)

Full-time Higher Education

Tuition Fee Loan

A Tuition Fee Loan can be taken out to cover the full cost of Tuition Fees.

Maintenance Loan

This is to help with living expenses and course costs. The amount you receive depends on where you live when you study. Three quarters of the loan is available to all eligible students regardless of income and one quarter depends on your family income. The Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan are repaid after graduation and you are earning over £15,000.

Maintenance Grant/Special Support Grant

This is in addition to the Maintenance Loan and does not have to be repaid.

Grants for Dependants

If you are a full time student and have dependent children you may be able to get the Parents Learning Allowance and for help with the cost of registered childcare, the Childcare Grant. You may be eligible for the Adult Dependents grant if you have a spouse, partner or other adult who depends on you financially.  You do not need to repay this grant.

To find out more or apply for any of the above funding you can contact your Local  Authority or log onto www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk

Part Time Higher Education

Part time students on low incomes can get a grant of up to £1180 towards Tuition Fees and a Course Grant of up to £255 to help pay for course related costs such as books.  Application forms will be available from Local Authorities or the Information and Advice Centre in Stockport College from the end of August.  Contact the Welfare Adviser on 0161 958 3145 for further information.

Access to Learning Funds

This is for students enrolled on full or part time higher education courses such as degree, foundation degree, HND or HNC who are experiencing financial hardship and have difficulty meeting essential course related costs such as equipment, childcare or field trips.

To be eligible students must be home students and have applied for the full student loan entitlement if applicable.

Disabled Students Allowance (also see Disability Services)

If you are a full or part time student and if you have a disability you may be entitled to the Disabled Students Allowance, which can help pay for extra costs you may incur as a result of your disability, to enable you to attend your course. You do not have to repay this allowance.

Contact Information

Welfare Team
Information and Advice Centre
Stockport College
Wellington Road South
Stockport
SK1 3UQ

Tel: 0161 958 3142
Fax : 0161 959 3384
e-mail: welfare@stockport.ac.uk