How much will it cost?
Fully Funded Courses (Free)
Provided you meet eligibility requirements, courses are FREE for all learners’ studying English and Maths (unless you have a grade A-C or 4-9 GCSE or equivalent).
Employability skills courses and Entry Level to Level 2 Vocational Skills Courses are FREE if you meet the eligibility requirements and are:
• on Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
• on Employment Support Allowance Work Related Activity Group (ESA WRAG)
• in receipt of an income-based benefit*, earn less than £330 a month and are actively seeking work or better employment.
• Earn less than £15,736.50 annual gross salary or £8.07 per hour
• Aged 19 or older on 31 August within the 2018 to 2019 funding year (01/08/2018-31/07/2019) but under 24 years old at the start of the course, studying for your first full level 3 qualification.
Discount fee
Depending on the type of course you wish to join discount course fees are available if you are
• on an income-based benefit*
*Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance (WRAG/HRAG) Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Asylum Support.
• claiming Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Please ask a member of staff for further advice.
Full fee
If you are not eligible for a Fully Funded Course or Discount Fee you will have to pay the full course fee and any exam and assessment fees.
European Community / EEA learners
You must provide proof of your status at enrolment. Provided you meet eligibility criteria, standard fees and discounts apply.
Level 3 or higher courses
If you are aged 19 or older on 31 August within the 2018 to 2019 funding year (01/08/2018-31/07/2019) and studying a level 3 course, then you must either pay the full cost of the course or take out a loan for all or part of the course fee. The loans are administered by the Student Loans Company. Ask Centre staff for details or go to www.gov.uk/advanced-learning-loans
The loan value will cover the combined cost of tuition, examination / registration fees and examination re-sits. Materials can incur an additional fee if applicable. Course fees for Advance Learning Loan learners are for the entire duration of their course and not per academic year.
The loan facility will only be available for the courses advertised by The Derbyshire Network and learners will need to receive a Learning and Funding Information letter from The Derbyshire Network in advance of enrolment confirming course eligibility before they can apply for their loan.
The Derbyshire Network set the course fees as the maximum funding rate available, as set by the ESFA on the Learning Aims Reference Service (LARS).
The level 3 qualification will be free if you are aged 19 or older on 31 August within the 2018 to 2019 funding year but under 24 years old at the start of the course, studying for your first full level 3 qualification.
For Level 3 or higher courses the exam/registration fee is already included in the published course fee.
Financial Assistance / Support for Learners
Financial assistance information is correct at the time of printing and all staff should check with the admin team for the most up to date information on financial assistance and support for learners.
The Derbyshire Network may be able to provide assistance to learners suffering financial difficulties or hardship. This does not provide a grant to live on but can help with costs such as travel to classes, books, equipment and childcare. Eligibility criteria apply in most cases.
For learners aged 19+ starting on an Advanced Learning Loans (for those learners aged 19+ starting L3 and above programmes only) bursaries are available to support with costs associated with being in education. Learners requiring support should complete the Learner Support Application Form.
Learners aged 19 or over at the start of their course, may be entitled to financial assistance with childcare. This scheme supports payments towards childcare with a registered and Ofsted approved child-minder or nursery setting. Learners requiring support should complete the Learner Support Application Form.
Learners in receipt of any state benefit have a responsibility to inform the Department for Work and Pensions about any financial support funding they receive as the learner support payment may affect the eligibility for some state benefits.
For learners requiring Additional Learning Support (ALS), funds are available within The Derbyshire Network to ensure additional support can be provided by qualified staff. Specific eligibility rules apply for ALS so learners requiring additional learning support should discuss this at the point of enrolment or with their tutor.