Shipley College

There are various funding streams available to potential Shipley College students, so the cost of your course might be reduced, or even covered in full.
 
However, the world of education funding can be complicated. There are various rules and various ways you can qualify for the funding, which can change, based on what you want to study, or on other factors like your age, employment status, current qualifications or where you live.

These variations mean that it is quite possible that the same person might qualify for funding if applying for one course, but not for another.

We have created this section of the website to try and help you get the answers to your funding questions, but the most straightforward way to do this might be to contact our friendly and helpful Enrolments team - who can talk you through it all.

enrolments@shipley.ac.uk

01274 327327

IN THIS SECTION:

Quick Checks (info on age, postcode, qualifications and employment status - and how they affect your funding)
Quick Links (funding)
FAQs - What funding is available?
FAQs - What difference do my circumstances make?
FAQs - What evidence do I need to provide for...?
FAQs - Paying for your course
Further information about fees
How do 'free' courses work?
Get in touch

QUICK CHECKS

There are a few ways to get an idea of what funding you may qualify for, so here is an overview:

Age: Education for under-18s is funded. If you are aged 19 or over, with no upper age limit, then whether you receive funding for courses depends on your personal circumstances and the type of course you are interested in.

Current Qualifications: Generally speaking, if you are aged 19-23 and do not already have a Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) or Level 3 (A-Level equivalent) qualification, then you can receive funding to cover the cost of doing one.

Also - if you are over 24, it is possible that you can get funding to do a Level 3 qualification if you are unemployed, or if you are employed but your salary is below a certain level.

Postcode: There are different government rules on funding your course, based on your postcode. Nearby us, the following areas are covered:

BD (with additional checks required for BD20, BD22, BD23 & BD24)
LS (with additional checks required for LS17, LS21-24 & LS29)
HX, HD, WF, OL14 and S72

Some limited funding is also available if you live outside of West Yorkshire. If you are unsure or would like other postcodes to be checked, please contact Enrolments on 01274 327327 to find out more.

Employment/Salary: You can also potentially get your course funded if you are working and your annual gross earnings are less than £25,000.

Again this might depend on the course you are interested in.

See below for some funding quick links, and below again for many FAQs to try and help answer any queries you may have.

FUNDING - QUICK LINKS

100% Fee Reduction

Free courses for Jobs

Advanced Learner Loan

Maths & English

Postcode Check & ID Verification

Level 2 Entitlement

Level 3 Entitlement

Enrolling on a course

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We have put together FAQs and their answers below, in four categories:

1. What funding is available?

2. What difference do my circumstances make?

3. What evidence do I need to provide for….?

4. Paying for your course

FAQs - What funding is available?

Depending on which course you’re interested in, there is information on each course as to whether there is support to cover costs. Your eligibility will be determined by your age, personal circumstances, previous qualifications and home postcode.

Please check the funding on the course of your choice - this can often be found in the 'Is There Anything Else I Need To Know?' section and will let you know if funding is available and what the eligibility criteria is

Yes! If you still fit the eligibility criteria, then you can apply again, even if it is still in the same academic year

Most of our part time courses and their funding are for adult learners aged 19+, with 18-year olds expected to be in full-time education.

Please check the full time course information or contact Student Services on 01274 327281.

Alternatively, please take a look at our Apprenticeship vacancies for jobs in the sector of your choice

* From 2024 18-year-olds qualify for Access to HE course funding.

We are able to fund Ukrainian refugees for a variety of courses - we just need to see your residence permit and pre-payment card to cover our funding.

This would cover you to study ESOL, Horticulture, Railway Engineering and many other courses. Please speak to a member of the Enrolments team for further information

Yes!
To apply for the fee reduction available, you need to live in the following West Yorkshire postcodes:
BD (with additional checks required for BD20, BD22, BD23 & BD24)
LS (with additional checks required for LS17, LS21-24 & LS29)
HX, HD, WF, OL14 and S72
If you live outside of these areas, please contact Enrolments on 01274 327327 as we may still be able to cover your funding.
We will carry out a quick check for you using just your postcode, and be able to provide an answer within a few minutes

FAQs - What difference do my circumstances make?

If you are applying for a fee remission based on your income being less than £25,000, then we would need to see evidence of your self-employed income. This could be a copy of your most recent Personal Tax Statement from the HMRC website, or your latest tax confirmation sent from HMRC on receipt of your latest self assessment.

Alternatively information including your income on any Working Tax/Universal credit benefits would suffice

If you are unemployed and in receipt of benefits, then we would need to see evidence for our funding purposes. Please either call in with any letter or app statement confirming your current entitlement to benefits, or email a photo through to the enrolments team on enrolments@shipley.ac.uk.

Don’t forget to add your name to any email, along with your date of birth so we can find you on our files!

You may be able to receive funding for up to a Level 2 course through our Learner Support Fund. This would apply if your total household income is less than £25,000 per year. When you state on the enrolment form that you would like to apply, we would ask you to complete a further short form to provide evidence of your income.

If you are aged 16-18, you can apply for one of our Full Time courses, including T-Levels, or for an Apprenticeship. These courses are funded for you as you will be in full time education.
From 2024, 18-year-olds also qualify for funding to study Access to HE courses.

You can either apply for a Part-Time course up to Level 3 or an Apprenticeship. Depending on the course you’d like, your personal circumstances and your postcode, you may receive funding to help cover the cost of your course to gain a new qualification.

If you are applying for your first Level 3 qualification, then you can have your fees remitted.

You can either apply for a Part-Time course or an Apprenticeship.

Depending on the course you’d like, your personal circumstances and your postcode, you may receive funding to help cover the cost of your course to gain a new qualification.

If you are applying for a L1 or L2 course, and are unemployed and in receipt of benefits, or working and earning less than £25,000, then you may receive a remission on your course fees.

If you would like a Level 3 course, please check the funding Information on the course page (often under the 'Is There Anything Else I Need To Know?' section) as you may be eligible for some courses free of charge. If you are unsure, please contact the Enrolments Team on 01274 327327 so we can check for you

If you are looking for a new hobby, we have lots of leisure courses to choose from on our Part Time course tab. While there is no fee reduction on these courses, we are able to help ease the payment by offering an instalment plan for courses costing over £150.

You can speak to the Enrolment Team on 01274 327327 for advice

Don't let a lack of money prevent you from coming to and succeeding at college. You may be able to get financial support from the Learner Support Fund for help with course materials, equipment, travel costs and childcare costs.

If your household income is lower than £25,000 you can apply for support to pay your fees (if applicable). If your household income is lower than £30,000 you can also apply for support to pay for travel and/or childcare costs.

To check eligibility, speak to the Student Services team on 01274 327281

Advanced Learner Loans are different from other types of borrowing because they do not appear on your credit file and your credit rating is not affected. However, if you apply for a mortgage, lenders may consider if you have a student loan when deciding how much you can borrow.

We will need to check your eligibility for funding to enrol you on a course in the UK. Please state on your enrolment form if you have not lived in the UK for the past 3 years prior to the course start date, and then complete the Learner Eligibility Form. Once we receive your enrolment form, we may ask you to provide evidence of your right to abode in the UK - this could be your Visa, or Residence Permit.

Please call the Enrolments Team on 01274 327327 if you need any help

Unfortunately we are unable to claim funding for anyone who is resident in the UK on a student visa. We are also unable to fund any family member of a person granted a student visa

Vic, Enrolments & Reception Manager

“The Enrolments and Registry team are here to help with any funding questions you might have. We know that the funding side of things often isn’t straight forward, but call us or drop in - you will find us all super friendly!”

FAQs - What evidence do I need to provide for….?

Your last 3 payslips, or latest P60 showing your income is below the threshold. Alternatively a current contract stating your gross monthly/annual wages. A photo or screenshot of these can be emailed to enrolments@shipley.ac.uk

We would need to see evidence of your benefits eg. a recent statement on your Universal Credit app, your most recent Tax Credit award notice or a current letter stating your entitlement to benefits such as Jobseekers or ESA.

A photo or screenshot of these can be emailed to enrolments@shipley.ac.uk

We would need a scan or photo of your existing certificates as evidence of your qualifications. Please email these to enrolments@shipley.ac.uk

Your most recent Personal Tax Statement can be found through the Government Gateway on the HMRC website (where you file your self assessments). Alternatively the confirmation from HMRC when your most recent self assessment has been received. Both of these contain your total income details.

If you receive Tax Credits, then a copy of your current tax credit award, showing your income details would also suffice

These courses are free for you but we need some information to be able to claim the funding for them.

Once we have checked if you are in an eligible postcode area, we also need to know if you are unemployed and in receipt of benefits, or working and earning less than £25,000.

We would need to see evidence of your benefits (Universal Credit statement, JSA/ESA letter) or evidence of your income (last 3 payslips or latest P60).

If you are working and earning over the above amount, you can still enrol for free, just choose the appropriate option on the enrolment form.

Your ESOL course will be free for you if you are unemployed and on benefits, or working and earning less than £25,000 per year. We will also need evidence of your benefits or income.

If these two options do not apply to you, please call the Enrolments team on 01274 327327 to find out how we can help

FAQs - Paying for your course

We can take payment either over the phone using your credit/debit card, or in person in Salt Building Reception.

Our opening times are Mon - Thurs 08:30 - 17:00 and Fri 08:30 - 16:30

Yes, you are welcome to pay with cash in person at the Salt Building Reception.

Our opening times are Mon - Thurs 08:30 - 17:00 and Fri 08:30 - 16:30

Yes!

If your course costs over £150.00 and is over 10 weeks long, then you can split the cost over a few months. We take the first payment to guarantee your place on the course, then the remainder is split into equal monthly amounts, and comes from your bank account via standing order.

We ask that the final payment is made at least 6 weeks before the end of your course. Please tick the “Payment by instalments” option on your enrolment form if you would like this option, and a member of the Enrolments team will contact you to arrange payment

If you have submitted an online enrolment, or completed an enrolment form, we require your payment as soon as possible to guarantee your place on the course.

We do work on a “first come, first served'' basis so please be quick to avoid disappointment

We can accept cash or payment by card either in person or over the phone

Yes!

If your course costs over £150.00 and is over 10 weeks long then you can split the cost over a few months. We take the first payment to guarantee your place on the course, then the remainder is split into equal monthly amounts, and comes from your bank account via standing order.

We ask that the final payment is made at least 6 weeks before the end of your course.

Please tick the “Payment by instalments'' option on your enrolment form if you would like this option, and a member of the Enrolments team will contact you to arrange payment

If you are unable to pay by card in person or over the phone, then please contact the Enrolments team on 01274 327327 so we can help you

Information about any required materials/equipment will be added to the course details on the website. We also will send you a list where there are specific requirements, e.g. Cake Decoration or Learn How to Sew.

If you are unsure, please call the Enrolments team on 01274 327327

Further information about fees

All fees are to be paid when you enrol, bookings are only provisional until full payment is taken. The fees include course fees and, where relevant, registration fees, exam and/or a certification fee. Once you have completed your application, a member of our Enrolments team will be in touch to take payment, or alternatively you can pop into Reception to pay face to face.

If your employer is paying for your course;

they will need to send an official company email to enrolments@shipley.ac.uk stating they will pay your fees in full.

Please note for some resits there may be additional examination, registration or certification fees which you are responsible for paying directly to the College’s Examination Office.

Our preferred payment method is by debit/credit card but will accept cash payment, unfortunately we no longer accept cheques. The College may withhold exam certificates until full payments relating to the course and examinations have been paid.

Flexible Payments

Fees on some vocational courses may be available to pay in instalments. Payment can be spread over 3 or 6 instalments (usually 3 or 6 months), with the first instalment due at enrolment, and the subsequent instalments paid by standing order as stated on your signed instalment form with the final payment to be agreed before the course finishes. Please check with the enrolments team on 01274 327327 before enrolling to confirm if there is a flexible payment option on your course.

Class cancellation & refund policy

The College’s policy is not to refund course fees if you withdraw from the course, except in exceptional circumstances.

Prior to the start of a course, the College will consider an application for the refund of fees. The College will refund fees if the course fails to start or if it is cancelled by the College within 3 weeks. Once the course has started, refunds are not available in any other circumstances.

If a class is cancelled for reasons beyond the College’s control, such as bad weather, the College will attempt to give as much warning as possible. While every attempt will be made to replace a cancelled class, we regret that the College cannot guarantee to do so. Where it proves impossible to do so, the College will not make a refund.

HOW DO 'FREE' COURSES WORK?

If you see a course advertised as “free”, for example our Online Learning courses, then there will usually be no cost to you - all we ask for is some information to help us cover our funding for it.

This would usually be by providing evidence of your postcode, employment status or current qualifications.

GET IN TOUCH

If you have any further questions about funding, please leave us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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