adult 19+ finance guide 2015

Aged 19+FinanceGuide2015

Mandy HoldenLevel 2 Hairdressing studentand FE Award winner 2014

Financial support 2

Will I pay fees? 3

24+ AdvancedLearner Loan 4

Our range ofcourses 6

University study 8

5 easysteps to success 10

Case studies 11

Open events 12

Contents

Whether you want to study a part-time course or obtain a professional qualification to enhance your career, take up a new hobby or change your career completely, we have many courses to suit you.

We offer day and evening courses, so you can fit your learning around your employment and your family commitments.

We are here to help, guide and advise!

02 For more information: Call The Hub on: 01254 29 29 29

FinancialSupport

Financial Support for Adults

As an adult learner there is lots of financial support available to help you return to study. Depending on your circumstances you may be entitled to free or reduced course fees. You will also be able to apply for support funds to help with travel, childcare and kit & uniform.

As each person’s financial and family situation is different we recommend that you visit our specialist team at The Hub and book a confidential appointment so that we can maximise the support available to you and help you complete any forms required.

Financial Support available for Entry Level to Level 3 learners:

£400 per year cash bonus*

90% contribution to childcare*

Free essential kit and uniform*

Travel support*

Free breakfast

*All Subject to eligibility.Applications are means tested.

OVER 950ADULT LEARNERS

QUALIFIED FOR

FREE FEESIN 2013/14

03

Will I pay fees?Are you? Age Wanting to study... What you will pay...

In receipt of the following benefits:• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)• Employment Support Allowance

(ESA)• Universal Credit?or• Unemployed and on other

benefits and looking to engage with a course that will allow you to seek employment?

Not in receipt of benefits.Thinking of studying your First Entry Level or Level 1 course?

Not in receipt of benefits.Thinking of studying your First Level 2 course, having not achieved a Level 2 qualification?

Not in receipt of benefits.Thinking of studying your First Level 3 course, having not achieved a Level 3 qualification before?

Not in receipt of benefits.Thinking of studying your Level 3 course, having already achieved a Level 3 qualification before?

Thinking of studying basic Maths and English?

Thinking of studying basic Maths and English GCSE having previously not attained a grade A* - C?

Thinking of studying at Degree Level?

19-23

24+

24+

19-23

19-23

19-23

19-23

19+

19+

All ages

24+

24+

24+

24+

ESOL courseEntry LevelLevel 1, 2, 3 or 4

ESOL courseEntry LevelLevel 1 or 2

Level 3

Entry LevelLevel 1

Level 2(Full Qualification)



Basic Maths and English

Maths and English GCSE

HNCHNDFoundation DegreeDegree




Entry LevelLevel 1

All course fees are FREE






Course fees apply. Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan available.All Full-time eligible students will receive a £1,000 Cash Bonus for each year of study.Please call the Finance Team on 01254 29 29 26 for support.

All course fees are FREEYou will just pay the£100 examination fee.

Course fees apply however you can apply for the 24+ Advanced Learning Loanto cover full cost.

Course fees apply however you can apply for the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan to cover full cost.

Course fees apply.Please call the Finance Team on 01254 29 29 26 for support.




seepage 4

seepage 4

Apply now: Visit blackburn.ac.uk

To discuss all our support available call:

Finance Team on 01254 29 29 26

FREE Finance Advice

The Government has introduced Advanced Learning Loans for students aged 24 and over to help pay for Level 3 & 4 course fees.

If you need to apply for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan you will not need to pay anything at all until April 2016 and only when you are earning over £21,000.

The Advanced Learning Loans are not means tested or credit checked and you can apply whether you are in employment or in receipt of JSA/ESA. The loan will be paid directly to Blackburn College on your behalf.

Our finance team can help you with your application form and answer any questions you may have. Call them on 01254 29 29 26.

Access to Higher Education

Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding 24+ Advanced Learning Loans you owe for an Acceess to Higher Education course once you complete a higher education course. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/advancdlearningloans

To qualify for an Advanced Learning Loan you need to be:

• Aged 24 or over on the date that you start your course

• A resident in the UK for three years prior to the start of the course

• Enrolling on an eligible Level 3 or Level 4 course including: Vocational courses and Access to HE Diplomas.

Meet Chris...Part time carer and father of two Chris always wanted to go back to college, but didn’t think it was possible as the fees were too high. It wasn’t until Chris enquired about course fees that he realised a 24+ Advanced Learner Loan would solve this problem.

“The Hub gave me advice about the Advanced Learner Loan and all the extra financial support available. It is rewarding to know that I’m making the right steps into a future career and I have not had to pay any up front costs. In fact I was amazed at how much extra financial support I was entitled to.”

Christopher Mulcahy

Level 3 Interactive Media & Software


AdvancedLearning

Loansfor students Aged 24+

Extra Financial Support available:




Travel support*

Free breakfast

*All Subject to eligibility. Applications are means tested.

Frequently asked questions

What courses are covered by the Advanced Learning Loan?

All eligible Level 3 & 4 Vocational courses and Access to Higher Education Diplomas.

How much will it cost if I do an Access to Higher Education Diploma and then go straight on to a degree level course?

Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding 24+ Advanced Learning Loans you owe for an Acceess to Higher Education course once you complete a higher education course.

When can I apply for my Advanced Learning Loan?

As soon as you have completed your application form. If you need help call our Finance Team on 01254 29 29 26 or you can apply online at

www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk

How much will my loan be for?

This will depend on the course you choose and the tuition fees charged by the College. Please feel free to call our Student Finance Team on 01254 29 29 26 if you have any questions. There are no upfront payments required.

You can take out a loan for the maximum amount of your tuition fee or you can pay all or part of the tuition fee yourself. There is no loan to cover living or maintenance expenses.

Can I take out more than one loan and do a number of courses to increase my job prospects?

Yes. Once you have completed your course you will be eligible to apply for more 24+ Advanced Learning Loans to help you progress in your studies. You can apply for up to a total of four loans across a range of subjects.

Who will pay my tuition fees?

Student Finance England (SFE) will pay your tuition fees to College once the course has started and we have confirmed your attendance. No loan payments will be made by them to us until you have attended the course for at least two weeks.

When will I start re-paying my loan?

You will only start to repay your loan from April 2016 and only when your annual income exceeds £21,000 per year. Interest on the loan will be lower than anything available on the high street and is linked to inflation. See the table below to see how much you would repay.

To discuss all our support available: The Hub 01254 29 29 29 Finance Team 01254 29 29 26

Income each year before tax Monthly salary Monthly repayment

Up to £21,000 £1,750 £0£25,000 £2,083 £30

£30,000 £2,500 £67

£35,000 £2,917 £105

£40,000 £3,333 £142

It is important that you consider your own circumstances and look into all options for paying for your course before choosing to take out a loan. You can get independent financial advice from the Money Advice Service at www.moneyadviceservice.co.uk

Full list of courses can be found at www.blackburn.ac.uk/adult/adult-welcome/find-your-course/

05Apply now: Visit blackburn.ac.uk

Full Time CoursesStudying a full time vocational qualification means that you can study and gain skills in a particular area. Our Vocational courses are more focused on developing your practical skills, and are usually classroom based with assessment by written and practical examinations. Employers really love the skills you will develop and they are also an ideal qualification for entrance to university. Full-time courses are available from Entry Level to Level 3.

Part Time and Short CoursesWant to study part time to fit around your work or other commitments? We have courses to suit everyone here at Blackburn College. These courses will help you get the qualifications you want and the opportunity to gain a more rewarding career or expand your knowledge on that particular subject. Our part time and short courses span across many levels, so we’re sure we can offer you something appropriate for you.

Access to Higher EducationWant to study at university but don’t have the correct qualifications? One of our Access courses can help you bridge the gap and prepare you for university study. We offer a range of Access courses to enable you to enter degree level study at University Centre at Blackburn College or courses elsewhere.

Degree Level StudyAt University Centre at Blackburn College we offer over 100 higher education courses including HNC/HND, Foundation Degrees and Degrees. Over 85% of degrees are awarded by Lancaster University who are ranked in the top 10 of universities in the UK.

Adult ApprenticeshipsAdult apprenticeships have been designed for those who are 19+, whether you are in employment already or looking for a new employer. We offer over 40 different apprenticeships and have a success rate 16% above the national average. We also have up to 100 apprenticeship vacancies available.

Our range of Courses

As the largest provider of adult education in Pennine Lancashire, we can guarantee we will have the right course for you. Below are the types of courses you can study at Blackburn College.

FREE Careers AdviceWhy not have a free one to one career discussion with our award winningcareers team? Contact The Hub on 01254 29 29 29.


Course Level Guide

Professional CoursesSpecialist Industry courses help you gain the qualifications required to practice at a high level in certain jobs or professions. Professional bodies we work with include AAT, CIPD, CIM, ILM, CIPS, AMSPAR, CMI and ILEx.

e-LearningWe have over 100 e-Learning courses across a wide range of subjects allowing you to study from the comfort of your own home.

TraineeshipsA Traineeship is an education and training programme with work experience that is focused on giving you the skills and experience that employers are looking for. At its core are work preparation training, English and maths for those who need it, and a high quality work experience placement.

Maths, English, ICT & ESOLSkills for Life qualifications are designed to help you develop the skills you use in everyday life, such as reading, writing or Maths. They can also help you boost your CV or move on to further study.

GCSEsIf you didn’t get the grades the first time round, we’re happy to help you achieve what you’ve always wanted. You can study GCSE Maths and English without paying any tuition fee* if you didn’t achieve A-C grades and there is no age limit.

* Other course related fees apply.

Entry RequirementsAs an adult you do not always need formal qualifications. At Blackburn College we take work and life experience into account and may ask you to attend an informal interview so we can assess the right level of course for you.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6 Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Art (BA) with Honours degrees, LLB (Hons)

Foundation degrees (FdA), Diplomas of Higher Education and Higher National Diplomas (HND)

Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Certificates of Higher Education

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Diploma Level 3, Access to Higher Education and BTEC Level 3 Certificates and Diplomas

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Diploma Level 2, GCSEs grade A-C and BTEC Level 2 Diplomas

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Diploma Level 1


Degree level study at University Centre at Blackburn College (UCBC).To support you during your studies we offer a £1,000 Cash Bonus for every year of study. In addition you can apply for a range of Loans and Grants from the government in the form of a:

• Tuition Fee Loan

• Maintenance Loan Grant

• Special Support Grant.

If you become a full time student at UCBC, each year of study you could receive:

• A Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full cost of your fees for every year of study

• A Maintenance Loan to cover living costs up to £5,740

• A Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant to cover living costs upto £3,387

• Additional grants available for students on low incomes with adult or child dependents including:

• Childcare Grant

• Parents’ Learning Allowance

• Adult Dependants’ Grant

Terms and conditions apply – please see our website for full details www.blackburn.ac.uk

University Study


For advice and guidance with any aspect of Student Finance at University Centre at Blackburn College, please call 01254 29 28 39 or email [email protected]

£1,000 Full-Time UCBC Bonus

Eligible full time, undergraduate students at UCBC, paying £7,500 fees receive a £1,000 full-time UCBC Bonus.

Terms and conditions apply – please seewww.blackburn.ac.uk/UCBCBonus

£1,000BONUSFOR FULL-TIME ELIGIBLE STUDENTS

Degrees

At University Centre at Blackburn College, we offer over 100 courses ranging from HNC/HND up to Masters Degrees. We have small class sizes and partner with Lancaster University, who are ranked in the Top 10 of universities by The Guardian (2014).

Courses available in:


Meet Catherine...Catherine graduated with a 2:1 BA (Hons) Education Studies degree and is now Head of Brand Development at Peter Jackson’s jewellers.

“One day my partner, who was at UCBC, told me to have a look at the courses and I saw one I wanted to do and it fit in perfectly. The course was hard as the one day a week I was in UCBC were long days and I was still working five days a week.

My qualification has helped me to move up to a different role. I remember feeling nervous about coming back to education and all my friends already had degrees - I really shoudn’t have worried.”

Catherine Harrington

BA (Hons) Education Studies

Accounting & Finance

Business, Retail & Management

Care, Health & Counselling

Catering & Hospitality

Childcare & Young People

Computing

Construction

Creative Arts

Education, Coaching & Teaching

Engineering

Law & criminology

Public Services

Social Science & Humanities

Sports, Fitness & Wellbeing


2.1.

Apply for the course youwant to study

Accept Your place at Blackburn Collegeand look at the financial support available to you (see page 3)

You get that deserved

promotion or that dream

career

Attend your Interview

FUNDING

LETTER

5 Easy Steps to Success

Don’t forget to ask for your funding information letter.

GO HEREgov.uk/advancedlearningloans

... You can track your application

online

3.

Foundthe right

course for you?

START YOURCOURSE

24+ LOAN ONLYONCE ENROLLED WE WILL LET STUDENT FINANCE ENGLAND KNOW THAT YOU’VE STARTED

£21,000 PER YEAR.

5.

STUDENT FINANCE

ENGLAND PAY THE LOAN FOR YOUR

FEES DIRECT TO THE

COLLEGE

24+ LOANGRANTED

Nee

d H

elp

? C

all 0

125

4 2

9 2

9 2

6

Foundthe rightrse for y

Aged 24+Studying Level 3 or 4

Aged 19-23Studying Level 1, 2 or 3

APPLY FOR THE24+ AdvancedLearning Loan

4.

Entry Level to Level 3 Learners


Meet Emily...Keen designer Emily didn’t think there was any way she could afford to get back into education – until she talked to Blackburn College. Single mother of two Emily, who moved from Africa 10 years ago, was advised about the 24+ Advanced Loan and Learner Support Fund which helped her pay for the course, childcare, books, equipment and even food.

“Getting back into education was so much easier than I originally thought. Without the Advanced Learner Loan and childcare support the college helped me with, there is no way I would be where I am today. The tutors and The Hub have been very helpful and supportive throughout my time at College. I can now concentrate on progressing to university to continue my dream of being a set designer for TV and catwalks.”

Emily Jackman

Level 3 Interior Design

Meet Kevin...Art lover Kevin cannot thank the financial team at Blackburn College enough for helping him take the next step towards his dream of working in an art department. Kevin, who didn’t think there was any way he could pay for his studies until he spoke to The Hub, was advised by the finance team on how the 24+ loan would help towards his tuition, as well as how he wouldn’t have to pay it back until he earned over £21,000 a year.

“Without the financial support given by college, I wouldn’t have been able to start the course, let alone submit my final year project which I received a distinction for. As things are tight at home, Blackburn College made me realise that a new career was possible, and the advice and guidance given by the college was really helpful. I have now started the BA (Hons) Fine Art course at University Centre at Blackburn College”.

Kevin Johnson

Level 3 UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Emily received the following extra support from Blackburn College:

£150 towards course equipment

£150 Extra Support Allowance

£2,693 contribution towards Childcare

Kevin received the following extra support from Blackburn College:

£150 towards course equipment

£180 towards travel costs

£150 Extra Support Allowance

£200 contribution towards trips

Your futureis brighterthan this advert.

www.blackburn.ac.uk/yourfuture#yourfuture

Open Events27th November 2014 | 4.30 - 8pm

5th March 2015 | 4.30 - 8pm

27th August 2015 | 4.30 - 8pm

Financial Support To discuss all the Financial Support you could receive call:

Finance Team on 01254 29 29 26




Travel support*

Free breakfast

*Subject to eligibility. Applications are means tested.

The majority of our students gain lots of extra financial support which is a real bonus when making the big step to return to education. Below outlines the kind of support you can apply for:

OVER 950ADULT LEARNERS

QUALIFIED FOR

FREE FEESIN 2013/14

Financial Support available for Entry Level to Level 3 learners:

adult 19+ finance guide 2015

Documents