Financial Support for Full-Time & Part-Time Adult Students Aged 19+
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) is pleased to be able to offer financial support to help adult students meet the costs of attending College. Please read the information below to find out whether you may be eligible for remission of fees, College Maintenance Allowance (CMA) or Discretionary Childcare Funding.
Financial support start dates will be based on the date that the fully completed application form, with the correct supporting evidence, is received in Student Services and no backdated payments will be made. Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of approval outlining your award.
A range of our courses are currently FREE to many of our adult students. The fee remission table titled 'Categories' below provides a summary of the circumstances in which you could be eligible to waive some or the entire fee for your chosen course. This is correct as at time of publishing, but may be subject to change.
PLEASE NOTE
- In order to satisfy audit requirements you will be required to give evidence of your entitlements to the benefits stated.
- You must confirm you are actively seeking work to be able to claim fee remission (for categories F and G).
- Non-EU students with less than 3 years' residency in the UK are not entitled to fee remission.
- Students taking self-financing courses are not entitled to either fee remission or financial support.
| A | A student aged 16-18 on 31st August 2024 (excluding recreational courses). |
B | A student where Basic Skills is the main learning aim (excluding ESOL). |
| C | A student aged 19-23 on a first full Level 2 programme which is eligible for entitlement funding (please complete section 12B). |
| D | A student aged 19-23 on a first full Level 3 programme which is eligible for entitlement funding (please complete section 12C). |
| E | A student aged 19-23 enrolling on an Entry Level or full Level 1 programme whose intention is to progress to a full Level 2 course (please complete section 12A). Please note: Students must not already hold a full Level 2 qualification. |
| F | A student who is unemployed and on a state benefit. Please note: Remission for this category is at the College's discretion. Please ensure NI is completed and confirm relevant benefit in Section 10.3 - Benefits. |
| G | A student who is unemployed but wants to be employed and the qualification directly links to this, by signing the form the learner has agreed the learning is linked to their future employment prospects. |
| H | A student aged 19+ enrolling on GCSE Maths or English where they have not already achieved a grade A*- C or 4 - 9. |
| I | A student receiving Universal Credit, and their earned income from employment (disregarding benefits) is less than £892 a month (learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £1437 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner). (Complete the NI No. below). |
| J | A student aged 19-24 with an Educational Healthcare Plan (EHCP) |
| K | The learner is eligible for co-funding and earns less than £25,000 annual gross salary. Please note: Evidence must be seen by the College to support this dated within 3 months of the start date. |
| L | The learner is eligible for full-funding and earns less than £25,000 annual gross salary. Please note evidence must be seen by the College to support this dated within 3 months of the start date. |
M | A Student who is 19+ studying a Level 3 qualification that is covered by the ‘Free course for Jobs’ offer can claim full fee remission if the criteria is met. |
Please note this is subject to national funding and eligibility criteria.
| Site | Learning Aim Title |
| Newcastle | Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping |
| Newcastle | Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Evening 17:30-21:00 |
| Newcastle | Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills |
| Newcastle | Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation |
| Newcastle | Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge) Year 1 Part Time |
| Newcastle | Level 3 Certificate in AI Programming with Python (RQF) |
| Newcastle | Level 3 BTEC Certificate for Managers |
| Newcastle | Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business |
| Newcastle | Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Business |
| Newcastle | Level 3 Diploma In Site Joinery |
| Newcastle | Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation |
| Newcastle | BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge) |
| Newcastle | Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development Year 2 |
| Newcastle | Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Information Technology |
| Newcastle | Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Applied Science |
| Newcastle | Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Applied Science |
| Newcastle | Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Day 09:00-16:00 |
| Newcastle | Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Aft/Eve 13:00-21:00 |
| Newcastle | Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) |
| Stafford | Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Evening |
| Stafford | Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation EAL |
| Stafford | L3 Diploma in Engineering Part-time |
| Stafford | Level 3 Certificate in AI Programming with Python (RQF) |
| Stafford | Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business |
| Stafford | Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Business |
| Stafford | Level 3 Diploma In Hospitality & Leadership |
| Stafford | Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Professional Cookery |
| Stafford | Level 3 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision |
| Stafford | Level 3 Diploma Site Carpentry |
| Stafford | Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation |
| Stafford | Level 3 Certificate in Engineering & Technology Craft |
| Stafford | BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge) |
| Stafford | BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge) |
| Stafford | BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Motorsport) Year 2 |
| Stafford | Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Children's Play Learning and Development Year 2 |
| Stafford | Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Information Technology |
| Stafford | Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Applied Science |
| Stafford | Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Applied Science |
| Stafford | Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Day |
| Stafford | Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting - Day |
| Stafford | Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation EAL |
| Stafford | Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) |
| Stafford | BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (Lead Adult Care Worker) |
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group is pleased to be able to offer financial support to help students meet the costs of attending College.
Financial support payment start dates will be based on the date that the fully completed application form, with the correct supporting evidence, is received in Student Services and no backdated payments will be made. Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of approval and a payment schedule.
Who can apply for this support?
Anyone with a gross household income under £30,000 (excluding students enrolled on an apprenticeship, a self-financing course, a higher education (HE) course or students enrolled on a course with another education provider where funding is being claimed). If you received free school meals you may still be eligible to receive this entitlement at college.
How much will I get?
Bursary awards are based on individual circumstances. Please provide as much information about your circumstances in your application as possible. We will use the information provided in your application form to allocate bursary funds to best suit your needs.
How will I be paid?
Bursary support is based on individual circumstances and will be allocated to best suit your individual needs. Bursary support will be based on financial need of individual students to cover college related costs such as transport, meals, course equipment and uniform. Payments may be direct or indirect. Any direct payments awarded can only be paid to your (the students) bank account.
What evidence will I need to provide?
You will be required to provide evidence of all current household income. We may request up to date evidence at any point during the academic year. Please see Evidence Guidance document for more information.
What other College related costs could I get help with?
Depending on your course you may be eligible for help towards the following college costs: Equipment, uniform, materials, course fees (students aged 19+). Once you have received your bursary award from the Student Finance Team please provide your proof of purchase at your earliest opportunity following enrolling on and starting your course. If you are aged 19+ and not eligible for automatic fee remission, you may be able to receive help with course fees for level 1 & 2 courses through discretionary fee remission. Please ask the Student Finance Team for more details.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the College Maintenance Allowance (CMA) using our new online application form. You will need to submit supporting evidence at the time of application and please be aware that there may be a delay in your application being processed if your form is incomplete, or evidence is missing.
Financial support payment start dates will be based on the date that the fully completed application form, with the correct supporting evidence, is received in Student Services and no backdated payments will be made. Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of approval and a payment schedule.
If you need to apply for help with course fees, please contact the Student Finance Team.
Please read the Financial Support Guidance before completing the application for financial support.
The online application for financial support is available in the ‘How to Apply’ section on this page. The accompanying guidance documents are available in the ‘Downloads’ section on this page. If you require the application form in a different format, or need assistance completing it, please contact the Student Finance Team.
This is support for students where childcare costs may be a barrier to attending College.
Who can apply for Discretionary Childcare Funding?
Students who are aged 20 or over on 31st August 2024 and have a total household income below £30,000 per year.
How will payments be made?
Payments will be made directly to an Ofsted registered childcare provider of your choice, as long as the provider agrees to our terms and conditions.
How much will the College contribute towards my childcare costs?
The College will contribute a maximum of £32 per full day, £16 for half a day or £16 per day for before and after school club (based on your timetabled lessons and compulsory placements). This support is available on a term-time only basis.
What evidence will I need to provide?
You will need to provide a copy of your current Tax Credit or Universal Credit Award; detailing the support you receive for the child/children for whom you are requesting support. You will also need to provide details of your chosen childcare provider(s).
How do I apply?
You will have to complete an application form for Childcare Support in addition to the Student Financial Support application form and provide all relevant evidence. You can download the Childcare Support application in the 'Downloads' section on this page or by contacting the Student Finance Team to request a copy.
If you require assistance completing the application then please contact the Student Finance Team.
To apply for Student Financial Support, please complete our online application form.
Please ensure that you read the Financial Support Guidance and Evidence Guidance documents available on this page before completing the application.
You will need to upload your supporting evidence within the application. Failure to do so will result in the application process being delayed. You will need to complete all compulsory fields in order for your application to submit successfully. Compulsory fields are marked with a red asterisk.