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Funding & Finance

Email Now
Call us on 0161 886 7070

University Level Finance

As a full-time or part-time student you can apply for a loan to cover your tuition fees. Full-time and part-time students applying for a Higher Education course starting do not have to pay their tuition fees in advance. If you are eligible, your fees will be automatically paid to the College by the Student Loans Company.

Tuition Fees & Finance Information

UK tuition fees vary depending on your home country. For home students, English universities can charge up to a maximum of £9,250 per year for an undergraduate degree. 

BA (Hons) and Top Up programmes

Full time: £8,200

Part time: £3,995

Foundation Degree programmes

Full time: £8,000

Part time: £3,600

Higher National Certificates and Diplomas

Full time: £8,000

Part time: £3,600

Helpful Information

You may also be eligible for a loan to help cover the cost of living as a student. You may have to give details of your household income when you apply as this can affect the amount you are given. This loan is paid directly to you in three installments, which you will have to pay back after you finish studying. Student Finance England have produced a step-by-step guide to help you through your student finance journey. Visit www.gov.uk for more information.

Our Higher Education tuition fees are lower than most UK universities’ fees and represent great value for money. We also offer extra financial support through bursaries and other funds.

Scholarship Awards

The College offers a limited number of Scholarship Awards made up of a cash grant of £500 for first year full-time students and £250 cash grant for first year part-time students. The awards are paid in February and May. Students are eligible if their household income is up to £25,000 and have to demonstrate a commitment to study through attendance and engagement with study.

Am I eligible for funding?

Funding is available to students on lower incomes to help meet costs associated with their course and coming to college, with several different options available, depending on the type and level of study.

Remember, our Student Financial Support Team is ready and waiting to help with information, advice and support on a range of fees and finance issues related to your study.

Find out more about student finance by visiting Student Finance England

You only make loan repayments once you have left your course and your annual income is over £25,000 a year. The amount you repay will depend on your income, not what you have borrowed.

Help with childcare costs

If you need assistance with the cost of childcare while you are at College, you may be eligible for help by applying through the Learner Support Fund or the Advanced Learning Loan Bursary.

Awards will be made to eligible students based on income levels in the household and using an Ofsted registered childcare provider to help with the costs whilst on the course.

Council tax exemption

Any full time student aged 18 and over can also apply for Council Tax Exemption from their Local Authority. Council Tax Exemption Certificates are available from the Enrolment Booths within Student Services.

Additional costs are the mandatory or optional expenses you may need to pay during your studies. These can be for materials, equipment, field trips and work placements, and are not included in your tuition fee. Additional costs are displayed on each course page on the College website.

Funding & Finance

Funding & Finance

Call us on 0161 886 7070

Funding & Finance

We have a range of financial support packages that you may be able to access depending on your circumstances. Our customer service team can help you by giving you more information on course fees and letting you know what your support options may be. Please contact the customer service department on 0161 886 7070.

If you’re a student aged 16-18 then you do not pay any tuition, registration or exam fees, but you may be required to purchase course-related resources during your studies.

Are you eligible for 16-19 bursary

To be eligible for the 16 – 19 bursary you must be 18 or under on 31st August in the academic year you start college or be aged 24 and under if have an EHC plan (Educational Healthcare Plan). Other requirements include:

Looked after child

Care Leaver

Receiving income support

Receiving Universal Credit

Receiving both employment or support allowance

Receiving disability allowance or personal independence payment

Downloads
16-18 student bursary application
16-18 student bursary guidelines
19+ student bursary application
19+ student bursary guidelines
Student Bank Account Form

Helpful Information

If you’re a younger student, you can apply to the Learner Support Fund for additional help with course-related travel expenses and other costs. It should be noted that funds are limited and awards aren’t guaranteed.

The government has extended the free meals support to students from lower income families attending further education courses. This means that if you were in receipt of free meals whilst at school and are aged 16 – 18, you may still receive an allowance towards your lunch. In order to be eligible, you or your parents must be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

  • Income support
  • Income-based jobseekers allowance
  • Income-related employment and support allowance
  • Guaranteed element of state pension credit
  • Child tax credit with a gross income of less than £16,190
  • Working tax credit run on — paid for the 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
  • Universal credit (with income under £616.67 per month)


If you think you may be eligible, please call into Student Services to see a member of the Student Finance team.

If you’re a young parent, you may be able to get help with childcare costs (up to £160 per child per week). For more information about this support, please contact the Care to Learn helpline on 0800 121 8989 for more information and an application pack.

Childcare Expenses, including travel expenses to and from a childcare provider for young parents aged 16-18, can also be accessed through the national Care2Learn scheme.

‘Our Pass’ is a free bus travel scheme for 16-18 year olds who live and travel within the Greater Manchester area. Visit www.ourpass.co.uk for more information on the scheme and to apply.

‘Our Pass’ replaces bursary financial assistance for bus travel if you’re a student within the Greater Manchester area.

Please note: if you use an ‘Our Pass’ for journeys to and from college, you will not be eligible for a travel contribution from the bursary.

An ‘Our Pass’ will cost £10 and this fee will be reimbursed by the college if you are eligible for the bursary, live more than 2 miles from the college, and use an ‘Our Pass’ for your college journeys.

If you live outside the Greater Manchester area, or have to use alternative transport methods, you may be eligible for financial support for travel. Please contact Student Services to discuss this with a Financial Support Officer.

19+ Learner Support Fund and Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund

To be eligible for this bursary you must be over 19 in the academic year you start college.

Your household income of £40,000 per annum (gross) or less, then you can apply to the Learner Support Fund or Advanced Learner Loan Bursary (depending on how your course is funded) at the College. The fund can help towards course-related costs such as equipment, travel and trips. It should be noted that funds are limited and awards aren’t guaranteed.

In addition, we can provide support towards the cost of your childcare with an Ofsted registered childcare provider on the days and times you are in College. We are able to support up to £60 per day for a full day and £40 for a morning/afternoon. We can also help with before and after school costs, up to £20 per session. For support with childcare costs, please call into Learner Services and speak to the Finance Support Officer.

 

External Support

Travel

Scholars Permit

Once your Our Pass stops working (the 31st August after your 18th birthday) and you are in full time, further education and live in Greater Manchester, you may qualify for a Scholars Permit up to the end of the academic year when you turn 19. For a one off £5 cost, the pass allows the holder to pay the concessionary fare for bus journeys, or reduced fares on train and tram journeys between your home and college. You can get an application form from Learner Services or Main Reception at College, any Greater Manchester Travelshop, or by visiting www.tfgm.com

 

Stagecoach UniRider

If you are over 18 and use only Stagecoach buses, the Stagecoach UniRider Pass may be the most cost effective way of travelling. They offer either an annual pass, or termly (3 month) pass, which is roughly half the price of purchasing a weekly bus ticket. Visit this website for more information: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/manchester/unirider

 

System 1

If you use multiple modes of public transport or multiple bus operators, then a System 1 pass may be the best value for you. There are weekly, monthly, termly and annual season tickets for students. These tickets can be used for multiple journeys at any time and are valid anywhere in Greater Manchester, not just between home and college. These tickets can be purchased online from the relevant transport operator or at your local Paypoint outlet. Visit www.paypoint.co.uk for locations.

These cards can be used on virtually all public transport services in Greater Manchester, regardless of which company runs them. If you are aged 16 – 26 and in full time education, you will need to get a System One

student membership card to buy student bus passes. These Travelcards can be purchased online at www.systemonetravelcards.co.uk or at your local paypoint outlet. Visit www.paypoint.co.uk for locations.

Funding & Finance

Funding & Finance

Email Now
Call us on 0161 886 7070
Go Back

Funding & Finance

There are a range of financial support services available to all students over 19 years old, to support you with the cost of education. The funding you can claim to support your studies will depend on your personal circumstances, where you live and the course you are studying. This includes both study programme awards and loans for the cost of your tuition.

Funding guides
Support Fund and Advanced Loan Bursary
Application forms
Support Fund and Loan Form
Bank Account Form

Helpful Information

Tuition Fees are payable by adult students unless the following applies:

  • You are studying your first Level 1 or 2 qualification and you are aged 19-23 years on the day you start the course not the day you enrol.
  • This is your first level 3 qualification and you are aged 19-23 on the day that you start the course not the day you enrol.
  • You are studying up to Level 2 and you are unemployed and in receipt of any of the following welfare benefits: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance
  • You are studying up to level 2 and you are employed (full or part time) and your annual gross salary is less than £20,888.00.

Tuition Fees are payable by adult students unless the following applies:

  • NOT IN PAID EMPLOYMENT –  If you are unemployed and in receipt of JSA, ESA or Universal Credit with take home pay less than £345 a month (sole), or £552 (joint) OR you are unemployed, receiving any other state benefit (with take home income as above) and are undertaking this course to help you find employment, tuition and exam fees will be waived.
  •  LOW WAGE EMPLOYMENT –  If you are employed, or self-employed and earn less than £20,888.00 per year and the course you are studying will help you find or improve your employment, tuition and exam fees will be waived.

Free courses for jobs offer

If you are aged 19+* and have not achieved a full level 3 qualification, or above, tuition and exam fees will be waived.

Low Wage/Unemployed

If you are aged 19+* and have already achieved a level 3 or higher qualification, but meet the definitions of ‘not in paid employment’ or ‘in paid employment’  below your tuition and exam fees will be waived.

Essential Digital Skills

If you are assessed at having digital skills at below level 1 then tuition and exam fees will be waived.

English and Maths

If you do not hold a GCSE grade C/4 or higher, for English or maths, tuition and exam fees will be waived.

Level 1 Tuition Fees

If you are aged between 19 and 23* and don’t already hold a qualification equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, and you need to study at Entry or Level 1 to progress to Level 2, tuition and exam fees will be waived.

Level 2 – First Full

If you are aged between 19 and 23* and don’t already hold a qualification equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, tuition and exam fees will be waived. This also applies for GMCA residents over the age of 23.

Level 3 – First Full

If you are aged between 19 and 23* and you don’t have a qualification equivalent to 2 A Levels, tuition and exam fees will be waived.

If you are aged 19 – 23 on Level 3 or 4 course and already hold a Level 3 qualification, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learning Loan to cover the cost of the Tuition Fees. Any exam/registration fees will not be covered by the loan.

If you are aged 24 and over on Level 3 or 4 course you may be eligible for an Advanced Learning Loan to cover the cost of the Tuition Fees. Any exam/registration fees will not be covered by the loan.

If you are in receipt of an Advanced Learning Loan, and you live in a low income household or receiving benefits, you can apply to the Advanced Learning Loan Bursary Fund for additional help with the costs of course related travel, childcare and other costs.

If you are aged 19 and over and are looking to study a Level 3 or above Further Education course, you may be able to apply for a low-interest 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of tuition fees for courses.

Advanced Learner Loans don’t depend on your income, there are no credit checks and you don’t need to repay anything until you’ve finished your course and are earning over £21,000 a year.

Many of the Adult and Part Time Courses available at College offer the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan option. To see if your course qualifies take a look at our Adult and Part -Time Course guide. All courses that have a green arrow indicate they are available on a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan option.

To be eligible to apply for the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan, you need to be:

  • Aged 19 or over on the first day of your course (there’s no upper age limit)
  • Starting your course on or after 1 August 2016
  • Living in the UK on the first day of your course and have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this
  • UK or EU National
  • Studying at an approved College or training organisation in England
  • Enrolling onto an eligible course at Level 3 and above which includes: full Level 3 and above qualifications which are approved for public funding. These include A-Levels, Access to HE Diplomas and other Diplomas and Certificates

Repayments Explained

  • You do not pay any course fees upfront
  • You will only have to start making repayments the April after you have completed your course and are earning over £21,000 a year (which is £404 a week or £1,750 a month). Until then you don’t need to pay back anything
  • If your income drops below £21,000 – loan repayments stop
  • Each month you pay back 9% of any income over £21,000. For example, if you earn £22,000 a year, your monthly repayment will be £7 a month
  • You can make voluntary repayments at any time

For more information about 19+ Advanced Learner Loans and how to apply, visit Student Finance England and www.gov.uk.

Adult students on courses up to Level 2 from low income households or receiving benefits can apply to the Learner Support Fund for additional help with the costs of course related travel, childcare and other costs. It should be noted that these funds are limited and no awards can be guaranteed to students.

Help with childcare costs

If you need assistance with the cost of childcare while you are at College, you may be eligible for help by applying through the Learner Support Fund or the Advanced Learning Loan Bursary
Awards will be made to eligible students based on income levels in the household and using an Ofsted registered childcare provider to help with the costs whilst on the course.

Council tax exemption

Any full time student aged 18 and over can also apply for Council Tax Exemption from their Local Authority. Council Tax Exemption Certificates are available from the Enrolment Booths within Student Services.

Our Higher Education tuition fees are lower than most UK universities’ fees and represent great value for money. We also offer extra financial support through bursaries and other funds.

Available Loans

If you  are aged 19 years of age or older you can apply for a student loan to over the cost of your course.  Please speak to Student Finance for further information.

Scholarship Awards

The College offers a limited number of Scholarship Awards made up of a cash grant of £1000 for first year full time students and £500 cash grant for first year part time students. The awards are paid in February and May. Students are eligible if their household income up to £25,000 and have to demonstrate a commitment to study through attendance and engagement with study.

Am I eligible for funding?

Funding is available to students on lower incomes to help meet costs associated with their course and coming to college, with several different options available, depending on the type and level of study.

Remember, our Student Financial Support Team is ready and waiting to help with information, advice and support on a range of fees and finance issues related to your study.

Find out more about student finance by visiting Student Finance England