Here you can find information on; fee remissions, learner eligibility for funding, the learner support fund and details on how to pay for courses by instalments and direct debit. There are also sub-pages on the fully funded courses we offer and details of our refund policy.
Aged 24 or over and thinking about further education?
If you’re starting a course on or after 1 August 2013 you may qualify for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan. These loans help you to pay the tuition fees charged by colleges and training organisations.
Most learners aged 24 and over, studying for most qualifications at levels 3 and 4, will qualify for these new loans from the government.
Examples of level 3 qualifications include A levels, QCFs Certificates and Diplomas and Advanced Apprenticeships. Examples of level 4 qualifications include QCF Certificates and Diplomas and Higher Level Apprenticeships.
It’s easy to apply, your household income isn’t taken into account and there’s no credit check. You won’t have to pay anything back until your income is over £21,000 a year. Further Information can be found at, gov.uk/advancedlearningloans.
Fee remissions
Learners receiving certain state benefits can enrol free of charge on courses designed to lead to a recognised qualification and help them get back into work . Furthermore, learners in receipt of certain state benefits can also enrol on a wide range of non-accredited courses and pay just 35% of the normal fee.
Individuals on Job Seekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance in the Work Related Activity Group (ESA/WRAG) are entitled to free tuition for accredited courses. For non-accredited courses, learners will need to pay 35% of the course fee.
The fees published assume that there is no eligibility for fee remission. However, in some circumstances and for some courses full funding may be available. To check if you are eligible please call 0845 603 7635 or
contact your local centre.
Learner eligibility for funding
To be eligible for either a fully funded, or part funded course, a person must be legally resident in the UK/EEA for 3 years prior to the beginning of the course. And a person must be a British/EEA citizen, or have the right to abode in the UK, or be a refugee who has been resident in the UK since the granting of refugee status, or an asylum seeker with 6 months residency.
People of any age, who are in full time education are not eligible for further funding for courses. Any additional learning needed to complete a qualification is the responsibility of the full time education provider.
Learner Support Fund
Adult Community Learning Essex is committed to supporting learners wherever possible, and for the academic year 2012/13, we are providing a small Learner Support Fund to help those on low incomes with the costs of course fees, childcare, materials or resources needed to complete examination or accredited courses.
A Bursary Fund is available for those attending non-accredited courses. This fund is limited and only available to those who are not already entitled to a fee remission. You will be asked to provide some evidence so that your application for support can be assessed.
Fee payments
You can book and pay for some courses online and this will require full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively fees can be paid by telephoning 0845 603 7635 or by post or in person at one of our centres. You can pay your fees in full by cheque, credit/debit card or cash. See the
how to enrol page for more details.
If you are eligible for free tuition fees as a result of meeting the necessary criteria, your booking will be made on receipt of the relevant proof of entitlement documents.
Direct Debit payments are available to help manage the cost of learning and in exceptional circumstances, individual payment plans can be arranged. Please note that no further course bookings can be taken until all outstanding payments have been made.
If you think you may be eligible for further help with fees or you have any other questions regarding our fee policy, please contact us on 0845 603 7635.
We have introduced an instalment scheme to help learners spread the cost of fees. This is available for some courses when you enrol and choose to pay by direct debit.
Pay by instalments and direct debit
Courses costing between £100 and £199
These can be paid in two instalments, however you cannot enrol online if using this method.
- 60% of the course fee is to be paid on enrolment
- The balance must be paid by direct debit one month later
You will still be required to pay the remaining 40% even if you stop attending the course.
Courses over £200
These can also be paid by direct debit; however you cannot enrol online if using this method.
- An initial down payment of 35% of the full course fee will be taken at the time of enrolment
- The remaining cost will be spread equally over the duration of the course and must be paid in full before the course finishes.
You will still be required to pay the remaining direct debit payments, even if you stop attending the course.