TUITION FEES, OTHER CHARGES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT POLICY

Transcription

1 TUITION FEES, OTHER CHARGES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT POLICY Fees Tuition fees are not payable by students who have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for the previous three years (for reasons other than fulltime study) and who are under the age of 19 at the commencement of their course. In some cases tuition fees are not payable for students who are under the age of 25 at the commencement of their course, such as those with an Education Health & Care Plan (EHCP). Students aged from overseas are currently exempt from fees provided that: they are a holder of a full British Citizen passport or are accompanying parents who are holders of full British Citizen passports; or they are a dependant of teachers on exchange schemes; or they are an EU national (or dependant of EU nationals) and have been ordinarily resident in the EAA for the previous three years (for reasons other than full-time study); or they have other Rights of Abode or are accompanying parents who have other Rights of Abode. For students who do not meet the above criteria, they are unable to study at the College, as the College does not have authorization from the Border Control Agency. The regulations regarding fees are quite complex and can change from year to year. If a student is not sure whether they are eligible for full Funding Council funding, they should raise this issue at their interview. Fees for Mature Students If you are aged 19 or over at the start of your course, you may be required to pay a contribution towards your tuition fees, subject to your personal circumstances. Mature students are advised to contact the College prior to application for further information. Fees Policy Page 1 of 8 Version 4.1

2 A Course Fee is typically made up of several parts: a Tuition Fee that is payable for a learner to participate in a course; an Administration Fee that is payable for a learner to enrol with Barton Peveril College. a Registration Fee that is payable for a learner to register with an Awarding Body or Professional Body to enable the award of any qualification; an Examination Fee that is payable for a learner to undertake an examination or assessment to enable the completion of any qualification; Where fees are published by the College or third parties for external use, the Course Fee should always be quoted clearly indicating the elements of Tuition Fee, Registration Fee, Administration Fee, Examination Fee and Additional Costs where applicable Concessions Course Fees For Skills Funding Agency accredited courses the following categories are eligible for 100 per cent tuition fee concessions (i.e. tuition fees are zero): a. Learners aged 16 to 18 as of the 31st August of the year in which the course starts. b. Learners aged 19+ in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance/Employment and Support Allowance in the Work Related Activity Group where skills training will help them into work studying courses up to level 2. c. Learners aged 19+ on wider benefits where skills training will help them into work. (To obtain this fee waiver, Learners will need to declare that they are in receipt of an active benefit and actively seeking work). d. Learners aged 19+ who, having not previously achieved a grade C or higher, are studying English and Maths basic skills (including GCSE English and Maths qualifications and stand-alone QCF units). e. Learners aged 19 to 23 as at the start of course studying their first full Level 2 qualification. f. Learners aged 19 to 23 as at the start of the course undertaking a first full Level 3 qualification. For employer funded learners or for courses delivered in the workplace, no tuition fee concessions are given. For unfunded (full cost) learners, no tuition fee concessions are given. Fees Policy Page 2 of 8 Version 4.1

3 The College reserves the right to verify the eligibility of all learners for fee concessions and to make the necessary checks and request evidence to support eligibility of the learner. For learners aged 24 or over funding, can be taken through 24+ Advanced Learning Loans (Loans) Qualifications funded through Loans are: Programme of A-levels (including AS, A2 and full A-levels) Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Access to HE Diplomas Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Certificates at levels 3 and 4 Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Diplomas at levels 3 and 4 Means of Payment The College accepts payment of Course Fees by individuals through the following means: Cash (sterling), Debit Card, Cheque and Credit Card. Where an employer or other third party has agreed to pay a Course Fee on behalf of an individual, payment will be by invoice under the condition that a written agreement from the third party to pay the Course Fee is provided at the time of enrolment. Methods of Payment Payment of Course Fees is due at the time of enrolment except where a payment is made by a third party where fees are due within 30 days of invoicing. Instalments can be offered to students paying Course Fees on the following basis: A maximum of three instalments is permitted. Instalments will be paid in equal amounts. The cost of the course must be 300 or above. All payments will need to be paid before the end of the term in which the course starts. The first instalment (and the Administration Fee) will need to be paid before the learner starts his/her course. An arrangement to pay in instalments cannot be offered retrospectively to any student that has already paid their Course Fees. For all courses, payment may be made in person at Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, by post or by phone. Fees Policy Page 3 of 8 Version 4.1

4 Policy on refunds of fees The college will only refund fee payments in the following circumstances: When a course is cancelled by the College. When a learner withdraws their enrolment at least 10 working days before the planned start of the course. No refunds will be given once the course has commenced, except in exceptional circumstances. Any request for a partial or full refund must be made in writing by the learner to the Head of Adult Learning. No refunds will be given if a learner withdraws their enrolment from the course after their enrolment date or if the College withdraws the offer of a place as a result of disciplinary action or non-attendance on behalf of the learner. Examinations year olds No charge is made for examination entries in subjects that you are following as part of your College course unless you fail to achieve certain minimum standards of work and attendance during your period of time in the College. If you wish to resit a unit you will be charged. If you fail, without good reason, to sit an examination for which the College has paid the fees, you may be required to pay the College back for those fees. 19+ Examination fees are charged at full cost, unless incorporated into the course fee or where exemption has been agreed. Script photocopies - requests for photocopies of scripts may be made to establish whether a remark is appropriate, photocopies are only available for one week after the results are published. Fees required by the examination boards are to be paid by the student. Remarks requests for remarks are to be paid for by the student, any successful remark has the fee refunded. Textbooks Textbooks that are considered an essential part of the course are to be issued to students. These textbooks are to remain the property of the college and are to be collected in after the course; students who lose or deface their copies will be required to purchase the copy at cost to the college. Where the department considers that it would be advantageous to the student to own a copy of the textbook, to enable notes to be made by the student, as in English Literature, copies of the textbook can be offered for sale to the student at a cost not to exceed that which the college paid. Students from Fees Policy Page 4 of 8 Version 4.1

5 families receiving Income Support or Family Credit may apply to have a free copy provided by the college and paid for using the college hardship Discretionary Fund. Students who do not wish to purchase their own copy are to be supplied with a copy which cannot be written on or defaced and must be collected in after the course. Equipment & Stationery Where it is necessary for the student to purchase equipment and/or stationery for use on their course such equipment or stationery can be offered for sale to the student at a cost not to exceed that which the college paid. Students from families receiving Income Support or Family Credit may apply to have these items copy provided by the college and paid for using the college hardship Discretionary Fund. Departments running courses that require the student to purchase equipment and materials, for example Art Photography are to ensure that notification is given to prospective students prior to their enrolment. Consumables can be purchased by the college and sold to the students, at cost via the College Shop. Loan of Equipment. Due to the relatively high cost to students whose families are on income support the college has purchased a limited amount of equipment needed by the student to undergo certain courses of study, for example cameras. This equipment is available for loan by students whose families are in receipt of income support, students will be required to produce evidence of benefits prior to loan of equipment. The period of loan will be agreed by the subject teacher, a charge will be levied to replace items lost or damaged beyond repair whilst on hire, this charge is to be the replacement cost to the college. A full refund will be given should the item subsequently be found. Printing & Photocopying Students are allocated 1.50 of print/copy credit when they successfully complete the IT induction programme at the beginning of the year. Students will be able to purchase additional credits from machines in the LRC and Gateway. Using the latest digital printing technology large format printing is available. The rates charged are to be reviewed annually by the Director of Facilities and Director of Finance. Fees Policy Page 5 of 8 Version 4.1

6 Library Fines Fines are to be charged on all late items; these charges are to be reviewed annually by the Librarian and Director of Finance at the end of each academic year. A charge will be levied to replace items lost or damaged beyond repair whilst on loan; this charge is to be the replacement cost to the college. A full refund will be given should the item subsequently be found. Before borrowing from the Library the member of staff or student is required to sign a form which states that they accept responsibility for all items issued to them and agree to pay any fines or charges which may be levied for late or non return of items. Details of this are to be referred to in the Student Charter and displayed in the Library. In cases of financial hardship fines or charges may be reduced or waived. Charges can be levied for: Ordinary items per college day Overnight items per college day Overnight items returned after 12 noon on due date A maximum cost limit is to be set per item/number of items. Charge per lost/damaged item current replacement cost College Trips From time to time the college will organise educational trips, within the UK and overseas, for which the student will be required to pay. The total amount charged to students is not to exceed the total cost of the trip. Other Activities Music Lessons Students and members of staff who undertake a course of music lessons are to be charged a termly fee to cover the costs of Peripatetic Music Teachers. Students who are studying AS/A2 music at the college will only be required to pay for lessons for a second and subsequent instrument. The rate of fees is to be reviewed annually by the Assistant Principal (Curriculum) and Director of Finance. Fees Policy Page 6 of 8 Version 4.1

7 Discretionary Learner Support Fund for Financial Hardship The Student Bursary Fund is a cash-limited fund to support learners who are economically or socially disadvantaged and face the greatest barriers to continue in education post-16. The bursary fund has 3 elements: a. A Student Bursary is only available to young people (16 to 19) who are in care or care leavers or living independently and in receipt of income support or are themselves a young parent receiving income support. b. A Student Support Fund is available for eligible learners to help with travel to college, equipment, books, essential trips, or attending HE interviews. It applies to expenses during the current academic year. The Fund can also help with hardship needs arising from a sudden change in circumstances such as redundancy or a sudden drop in household income. c. A 19+ Fund is available for 19+ students to help with childcare and general financial assistance with travel, equipment and books. (Each application is judged on the basis of relative financial need, the amount of grant will be determined by that need and the funds available.) Students' Cars Because of a shortage of car-parking space the College has arranged parking facilities at a suitable location off-site for a limited number of students. Application to be made to the College Transport Officer, allocation is strictly on a basis of need, where public transport is unavailable or difficult to access. Students with disabilities will be given highest priority. A small charge is made to cover administrative costs and the issue of an offsite parking permit. The charges are to be reviewed annually by the Director of Finance and Transport Officer. Students Motorbikes & Scooters A limited number of spaces are available on the campus, application must be made to the College Transport Officer, allocation is strictly on a first come first served basis. A small charge is made to cover administrative costs and the issue of a parking permit. The charges are to be reviewed annually by the Director of Finance and Transport Officer. Fees Policy Page 7 of 8 Version 4.1

8 Student s Bicycles Students may bring bicycles onto campus free of charge; whilst all reasonable precautions are taken the College cannot accept responsibility for the loss of students property. Students are strongly advised to ensure their household insurance covers the loss or damage to bicycles. There are a limited number of secure storage units which may be hired; a refundable key deposit will also be required. Transport The college has no legal obligation to provide travel assistance for students, however the college will provide subsidised transport for students who meet the following conditions: - be under 19 years of age on 1 September prior to the start of the course live in their parents home or with legal guardians live more than three miles from the college measured by the most direct route be using the most cost-effective mode of transport. Students who qualify for subsidised transport are required to contribute to the transport costs. The contribution is to be reviewed annually by the Principal and Director of Finance. All applicants must pay a small non-returnable administration fee with their application form to ensure a place on a college contracted bus; the balance is then to be paid either on enrolment day or in three installments, the first on enrolment day, the second and third by the first day of October and November respectively. Students with disabilities or special needs will continue to be the responsibility of Hampshire County Council and any contribution towards transport will be in accordance with County Council policy. Students who qualify for a Discretionary Learner Support Grant and satisfy the above conditions the cost of the bus pass will be deducted form any grant awarded. Refunds as the college enters into contracts with bus companies in advance, it is under an obligation to pay for the tickets ordered. Therefore, refunds will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances and are to be calculated on a half termly basis. There are to be no refunds in the summer term. Fees Policy Page 8 of 8 Version 4.1