If you are aged 19 or over and are starting a course at Level 3 to level 6, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan from the government which can cover the costs of your tuition fees.
Getting the loan doesn't depend on your household income and there is no credit check. You’ll only repay your student loan when your income is over the threshold amount for your repayment plan.
You can find out more about using a loan, check your eligibility and apply online at https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
Advanced Learner Loan Bursary
If you hold an approved Advanced Learner Loan you may be eligible for a small contribution towards your college costs, including childcare. You will qualify if your household income is below £25,000 per annum.
Students on Apprenticeships and Higher Education Courses cannot apply for this bursary.
How do I apply for Financial Support?
Academic Year 2023/24 - click here
Please note: During our peak application period during August and September, it can take up to four weeks to process your application and confirm if you have been awarded a bursary, so you will be responsible for any travel costs until your financial support is in place. All bursary allocations will be distributed once the students has enrolled and attended their first day at Farnborough College of Technology.
- You cannot apply for Financial Support until you have applied/enrolled for a course and have a student number
- You will need to have bank account details
- You will need to upload your supporting evidence to complete this application
The entire application form is mobile compatible and uploading evidence can be much quicker using a mobile device’s camera or gallery (if you already have images of your evidence) so you may wish to apply using a mobile phone or tablet.
If you need help with the application process or are unable to complete this application process online then contact the Bursary team by email bursary@farn-ct.ac.uk
Students will need to reapply for the bursary each academic year. This will include the resubmission of proof of eligibility.
A bursary of up to £1,200 is available to Learners whose family income is on low income and dependent on you fulfilling the bursary eligibility criteria detailed below.
If eligible for the bursary, this fund can contribute to essential college costs, such as bus or train travel, uniform or course materials dependant on your course. In addition you can apply for support towards Childcare if you are aged 20+. To qualify for travel funding you must live at least 2.5 miles from your site of study Farnborough or Aldershot (using Google maps).
- You must have been a resident in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of your studies
- You are 19 years old or over on 31st August 2024
- Your household income must be below £25,000 gross
To be eligible for support you or your parent/guardian must be in receipt of one of the following benefits
- Income Support
Letter dated on or after 1 April 2024 stating you currently receive this benefit.
- Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
All pages of your notification dated on or after 1 April 2024.
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
All pages of your notification dated on or after 1 April 2024.
- Pension Credit (Guarantee element)
All pages of your State Pension Credit (guarantee element) issued by the pension service dated on or after 1 April 2024.
- Support under part V1 of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
- Home Office paperwork evidencing your right to reside in the UK whilst your application for Asylum is being assessed.
- Universal Credit (other than child tax element)
Your last three most recent monthly Award Statements which will include all calculations of deductions; you will need to upload the details from your UC online account. We add together the average take home pay for the household and average amount of Universal Credit, after all deductions, to calculate the annual household income which must not exceed £25,000.
- Child Tax Credit (providing they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit)
- All pages of your Tax Credit Award notification dated on or after 1 April 2024 (NOT Tax credit Annual Review)
This bursary can contribute towards the costs of travel to college by bus or train, childcare, uniform, course materials and trips. Bursary funding is allocated based on individual needs and not all students who qualify for this bursary will receive the full £1,200. Please note that bursary funds are limited, and the College cannot guarantee that funds will be provided to every student who meets the basic eligibility criteria.
Childcare
You may also be able to access funding for childcare costs if you are aged 20+ and have a household income of below £25,000 per annum. To qualify for childcare funding, you will need to be using an Ofsted registered childcare provider. Funding is for timetabled classes, and it does not support independent study. Bursary funds are paid directly to the childcare provider after we have received their monthly or termly invoice.
Students on Apprenticeships and Higher Education Courses cannot apply for this bursary.
How do I apply for Financial Support?
Academic Year 2024/25 - click here
Please note: During our peak application period during August and September, it can take up to four weeks to process your application and confirm if you have been awarded a bursary, so you will be responsible for any travel costs until your financial support is in place. All bursary allocations will be distributed once the students has enrolled and attended their first day at Farnborough College of Technology.
- You cannot apply for Financial Support until you have applied/enrolled for a course and have a student number
- You will need to have bank account details
- You will need to upload your supporting evidence to complete this application
The entire application form is mobile compatible and uploading evidence can be much quicker using a mobile device’s camera or gallery (if you already have images of your evidence) so you may wish to apply using a mobile phone or tablet.
If you need help with the application process or are unable to complete this application process online then contact the Bursary team by email bursary@farn-ct.ac.uk
Students will need to reapply for the bursary each academic year. This will include the resubmission of proof of eligibility.
All students are entitled to apply for a Totum card, this costs from as little as £14.99 and gives students the use of SU facilities across the country. Being a member of the National Union of Students (NUS) also gives you access to a range of discounts at well-known high street stores, visitor attractions and cinemas along with some ethically sourced products. You can now also purchase with age ID (all the great features of TOTUM with the bonus of PASS verified proof of age ID card) Membership is available for all students, whether part-time, full-time, on day release or short courses, over or under 18. To apply you need your enrolment certificate, a passport-size photo, photo ID and payment. Also, for any card purchased Totum give back to the College which goes towards Enrichment and Event activities at your College.
All Totum cards are delivered to the college, where you will be notified to collect from your Learner Services (located in E Block) Visit: www.totum.com to get yours today!
Criteria for Paying Further Education Courses by 3 Instalments
- Course cost = minimum of £200
- Course duration = minimum of 25 weeks
- Surcharge = 10% of tuition fee (up to a maximum of £100)
1st Payment – MUST be paid at enrolment and includes:
- 10% tuition fee surcharge +
- 34% of tuition fees +
- all exam/additional fees
2nd & 3rd Payments
- 33% of tuition fees - due 1st November
- 33% of tuition fees - due 1st March
Payment Options:
- Credit/Debit Card via WPM Online Payment System
Withdrawals and Refunds
The successful provision of courses depends upon the fees students pay. Courses can only be started if the income for the course is sufficient to cover all the costs involved.
Therefore, full payment of the tuition fees becomes the responsibility of the student on commencement of their course.
Fees will only be cancelled or refunded in the following circumstances:
Your course is cancelled before it starts or is closed by the College and no suitable alternative is available.
- You suffer a serious illness; refunds may be made on a pro-rata basis on the production of a medical certificate. (please note examination and registration fees can only be refunded provided your registration has not been completed with the awarding body)
- You withdraw before the start date of your course; however there will be an administration fee of £30 charged.
If you withdraw from your course for any reason other than those stated above, any outstanding fees will be collected by the College.
If you have any questions, please contact: salesledger@farn-ct.ac.uk
