Further Education fees and finance

Please note, there are no fees for students aged under 19 on 31 August in the year their course commences or for students aged 19-23 studying their first level 2 or level 3 qualification.

Students aged 19 and over are able to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help pay for their course fees for our Further Education course. You can find out more about the loan at www.gov.uk/advanced-learning-loans.

Please note the tuition fee for Extended Diploma in Creative Practice is subject to inflation for the second year of the course.

The funding rules on fees and funding eligibility are complex and potential students are encouraged to contact the University’s Student Welfare team to discuss their particular circumstances.

Early payment discount

Students who pay their fees in full before the 31 August will receive a discount of 5%.

All payment schemes are subject to review, update and terms and conditions. For further details please contact Finance on 0113 2028006.

Discretionary Learner Support

(16-18 year olds)

This is awarded to meet the costs of transport, course materials and books. The amounts awarded will depend on individual circumstances and will normally be paid in termly instalments.

Awards for transport costs will only be given to students who are not in receipt of free transport from their Local Education Authority and who live more than 3 miles away from the University. Awards given to help with transport costs will assume students are in receipt of a half fare bus pass.

Free meal vouchers

(16-18 year olds)

If you were eligible for free school meals you may be eligible to continue receiving meal vouchers. For each day you are timetabled you will receive £3.50.

In order to qualify, the household must be in receipt of one of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) at the time of your application

Residential Bursary

(16-18 year olds)

Residential Bursary funding is provided to support learners who cannot access the course locally. You may be eligible for Discretionary Learner Support in addition.

Students may apply before the start of their course providing they have been offered a place and have accepted their offer (conditional or unconditional), however an award will not be made until after enrolment.

A Residential Bursary is only available to help with the cost of rent and students will need to budget for other essentials including utility bills (where applicable) and food.

The bursary is available to students whose annual household income is below £28,000 and where the student’s permanent home address is more than 25 miles from the University. The minimum amount available is £1,000 per academic year, however amounts in excess of this may be awarded depending on demand. Students are not eligible for a Residential Bursary if they are in receipt of benefits that support the cost of accommodation, for example housing benefit.

The Residential Bursary is paid termly directly to the landlord.

Please note that an application for a bursary is no guarantee of an award being made as funds are limited and amounts are awarded on receipt of application. You should be aware of this before signing a tenancy agreement.

Vulnerable Student Bursary

(16-18 year olds)

Students who meet the criteria in one of the following defined groups, and who have a financial need, can apply for a bursary of up to £1,200 per year (£40 per week.) The defined groups reflect that these students are unlikely to be receiving financial assistance from parents or carers, so may need a greater level of support to enable them to continue to participate. The amount of the award will be depend on individual financial circumstances.

The defined vulnerable groups are students who are:

• In care

• Care leavers

• Receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner

• Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right

Advanced Learner Loan Bursary

(19+ year olds)

The 19+ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary is available to support adult learners who have an approved Advanced Learner Loan, with meeting some of the associated costs of learning.

The bursary is for learners who are experiencing financial difficulty, which is impacting upon their ability to undertake and complete the course. It may be awarded for example, to help with accommodation and travel, materials and equipment and interview expenses. The amount of the award is based on financial need.

Hardship Fund (for students not in receipt of an Advanced Learner Loan)

(19+ year olds)

Financial assistance from the 19+ Hardship Fund is designed to assist students who are experiencing unexpected financial hardship. Priority will be given to students with a household income below £16,190; however consideration can be given to those whose household income is above £16,190 and below £28,000 depending on available funds.The amount of the award is based on financial need.

If you would like additional information on any of the bursaries above please contact Student Finance on studentfinance@leeds-art.ac.uk.