Financial Information

If the course you choose has a fee stated you won't have to pay it if:

- You are aged 16-18 (Under 19 on 31 August prior to the start date of your course)

- You are studying a course of Adult Basic Education

- You are receiving one of the benefits listed below. The information in brackets indicates the evidence you will be required to show:

• Job Seekers Allowance (Letter from Employment Service/Jobcentre Plus)
• Income Support (Confirmation letter)
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Working Tax Credit - provided your household income is less than £15,276 Tax credit notification.  Please note this is subject to increase, please contact us for more information.
• Housing/Council Tax Benefit (Letter from Local Authority)
• If you are the unwaged dependant of a person in receipt of one of the above (Letter from Employment Service or Benefit Office)
• Guaranteed Pension Credit (Pension Credit notification)

If you select a course which has fees attached to it, and you have to pay, you must either pay for your course fees in full or provide Direct Debit details when you enrol to secure your place, we will not be able to enrol you if you cannot do this.

If you are exempt from paying fees, for example if you are claiming benefit, you will need to show evidence of this when you enrol. If your employer is paying your fees, you must provide us with a letter confirming this when you enrol.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process please get in touch through our contact us page, email us at start@gateshead.ac.uk or call 0191 490 2227.

Further education is any course from entry level up to level 3 courses, such as a National Diploma. It does not include HNDs, Foundation Degrees or Degrees which are classed as higher education courses. 

If the course you choose has a fee stated you won't have to pay it if you are aged 16-18 (Under 19 on 31 August prior to the start date of your course).

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

EMA is cash in your hand to help you carry on learning if you are aged 16-18.  Depending on your circumstances you could get up to £30 a week for coming to college - all you have to do is regularly come to college and work hard.

EMA won't affect any other benefits you or others in your household may be receiving, and won't be affected by any part-time work you may do.

To find out more about EMA visit the official EMA website.

Financial support for further education students

If you are studying on a further education course there are various methods of help available, depending on your age. 

Please note: further education is classed as entry level courses to level 3 courses, such as a National Diploma, it does not include HNDs, Foundation Degrees or Degrees which are classed as higher education courses.  For information on help for higher education courses please visit our higher education support page.

Financial Support for 16-18 year olds studying Further Education (Word document opens in new window)- Information on Education Maintenance Allowance, Learner Support fund, childcare, and welfare benefits.

If you have any questions about financial support which may be available to you please get in touch through our contact us page, email us at student.advice@gateshead.ac.uk or call 0191 490 2227.

Further education is classed as entry level courses up to level 3 courses, such as a National Diploma, it does not include HNDs, Foundation Degrees or Degrees which are classed as higher education courses. 

Free Level 2 courses
If you are aged 19 or over and do not already have a full level 2 qualification (NVQ Level 2, BTEC First Diploma, GNVQ Intermediate, 5 GCSEs or O levels grade A-C) you can study a full level 2 qualification free of charge.

Free Level 3 Courses
If you are aged 19-24 you may qualify for free tuition if you are studying towards your first full level 3 qualification.

Apprenticeships
Some of our level 2 and 3 courses can be taken either by themselves or as part of an Apprenticeship.  This can have major benefits to you and your employer if you are aged 16-25.  You can find out more in our Apprenticeships section.

The guide below offers further information.

Financial Support for 19+ year olds studying Further Education (Word document opens in new window) - Information on the Adult Learning Grant, Learner Support Fund, childcare and welfare benefits.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process please get in touch through our contact us page, email us at start@gateshead.ac.uk or call 0191 490 2227.

We know that finance can sometimes be a worry, but don't let it put you off; we are keeping our fees to a minimum and our experienced staff will help you access all the different grants and loans available to help you finance your studies.

The documents below are a guide to financial information for Higher Education courses.

Full time HE finance guide (pdf, opens in new window)

Part time HE finance guide (pdf, opens in new window)

You may also wish to visit the following government website:

www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

Alternatively you can get in touch with us through our contact us page, email us at student.advice@gateshead.ac.uk or call 0191 490 2227.

Fees and Benefits - guide to fee remission (Word document opens in new window)- Information on whether you may be eligible for fee remission.

If you select a course which has fees attached to it, and you have to pay, you must either pay for your course fees in full or provide Direct Debit details when you enrol to secure your place, we will not be able to enrol you if you cannot do this.

If you are exempt from paying fees, for example if you are claiming benefit, you will need to show evidence of this when you enrol. If your employer is paying your fees, you must provide us with a letter confirming this when you enrol.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process please get in touch through our contact us page, email us at start@gateshead.ac.uk or call 0191 490 2227.

If you need information about the different types of childcare provision or about available places in your area, please click here.