Fees and Support
Additional Learning Support
We have a specialist member of staff who can offer advice and support on all aspects of communication and study skills, essay writing, planning your time, numeracy etc. Help is available on Monday and Tuesday evenings to any student enrolled with Aquinas Adult Education at any time throughout the academic year.
Need help to pay for your course?
How we can help you varies depending upon whether you enrol for an examination course or a leisure course (please ask before enrolment) but below are the main sources of help.
Examination courses
Many of our Adult Learners are able to access free courses with us. Subsidised fees and Advanced Learner Loans may also be available, depending on your circumstance and the course you have chosen to study.
Full advice and guidance on support will be available to you at your admissions interview, once you have made an application to the College.
Please note, age is based on learner start date, however learners must be 19 years old on 31st August for the below criteria to apply.
The following guide applies to Greater Manchester Residency Only. Fees are payable for all learners outside the Greater Manchester area.
You may be eligible for a FREE course if you are:
- employed and earning less than £25,000
- unemployed and in receipt of out of work benefits
- economically inactive (not working or claiming benefits, but are available for work)
- aged 19-23 and studying for your first full Level 2 qualification* on an eligible course.
- aged 19-23 and studying for your first full Level 3 qualification** on an eligible course.
- aged 19+ Free Courses for Jobs Level 3 courses: FREE if you live in Greater Manchester and wish to study your first level 3 qualification or on a low income.
- GCSE English and Maths are FREE if you have not achieved a grade C/Level 4 or above).
You will need to provide your National Insurance Number and proof of address at interview.
Instalment Plan for examination courses costing over £250
If you have to pay for your course, you have the option of spreading the cost of the fees by paying a deposit at enrolment followed by a number of standing order payments (full details on request); you will need your bank details, or credit/debit card when enrolling. Please enquire which courses this applies to when you enquire/enrol.
Information about individual qualification fees / funding can be found on the course directory pages.
EXAMPLES OF EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS
*Full Level 2
- 5+ GCSEs at A-C (Grade 4 and above) or
- Technical Certificate Level 2.
** Full Level 3
- 2+ A Levels, or
- 4+ AS Levels or
- 1 A Level + 2 AS Levels or
- Access to HE Diploma or
- A Technical or applied general qualification at Level 3
Additional Information about Advanced Learner Loans
- Advanced Learner Loans – provide a source of fees and support to help people aged 19 and over enrolling onto a Level 3 course.
- On receipt of a learner’s loan application, the Student Loan Company is responsible for assessing whether a learner is eligible. By taking out a loan, a learner is taking direct responsibility and financial liability for their learning.
Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund – you may also be eligible for money if you need help with some costs while studying, for example childcare or travel.
Leisure, fitness & Language courses
Full payment is expected on enrolment to secure a place for each term.
Please note, the college operates a no refund policy for part-attended courses.
Fee reductions are available if you are in receipt of any of the following income related benefits:
- Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit (excludes Child Tax Credit on its own)
- Council Tax & Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- (Unwaged dependant of the above – (named spouse/partner/adult dependent of income-based benefit claimant)
- Carer’s Allowance
If you are entitled to a reduction in your fees, you will need to provide proof of this at enrolment.
