The adult education budget is designed to help adults gain qualifications to access higher level learning. Funding is also available to bring communities together which allows free courses to be run without qualifications which are linked to local needs. There are a range of financial support services available to all students over 19 years old, to support you with the cost of education. The funding you can claim to support your studies will depend on your personal circumstances, where you live and the course you are studying.
Your personal circumstances and/or your choice of course may allow you to study for free or at a discounted price. Please check out the information below or contact us to discuss your options.
Many of our courses are FREE for Eligible Learners, this is shown in the course details. You may be eligible for a FREE course if you are:
To find out more about whether your chosen course is eligible, call our admissions team.
* This figure may change, please visit the website for the latest information.
To apply for an Advanced Learner Loan for a Level 3 course where you are aged 19-23 you need to not be eligible for Level 3 legal entitlement or Free Courses for Jobs offers. If aged 24+ or wish to study at Level 4 and above there are no additional requirements.
It’s easy to apply, your household income isn’t considered, and there are no credit checks.
You only need to start paying back your Advanced Learner Loan when you are earning more than £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year.
If your loan is for an Access to Higher Education course (QAA Access to HE Diploma) and you subsequently complete Student Finance England funded higher education (HE) course, then the Student loans company will write off the balance of the Access to Higher Education course loan.
For some courses, you must complete an online application, for others, you can book and pay by phone or email.
If you are studying with us, you may be eligible for additional government funding that contributes towards:
Are you eligible for the 19+ Learner Support Fund Bursary or the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary
Applicants must be aged 19 or over on the 1st September 2023 and aged 20 or over at the start of their course to apply for child care costs. To be eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary you must have had your Advanced Learner Loan approved.
If your income is below £40,000 per year or less (before tax) you can apply for the Bursary for the 19+ Learner Support Fund and the Advanced Loan Bursary (if your loan has been approved)
If you are eligible for the Bursary, you may be able to get help with travel, essential equipment costs, meals and trips.
Bursary application forms are available below to download or you can collect from Learner Services at your campus of study.
If you have any Bursary enquiries, you can email – traffordstudentbursary@tcg.ac.uk
Help with childcare costs
If you are eligible for the 19+ Learner Support Fund/Advanced Learner Loan Bursary you can also get help with Childcare costs, we can help Nursery/Childminder fees for the days you are timetabled to be in college and we can also help with the costs of after school club and breakfast club, the Childcare provider needs to be Ofsted registered.
Council tax exemption
Any full time student aged 18 and over can also apply for Council Tax Exemption from their Local Authority. Council Tax Exemption Certificates are available from Student Services.
Course fees should be paid at enrolment by cash or card.
We accept all major credit/debit cards, except American Express.
Flexible payments can be arranged by Standing Order.
If your employer is paying your course fees you must bring a letter of authorisation from them to
enrolment. We will then issue an invoice to them directly for payment.
Your personal circumstances and/or your choice of course may allow you to study for free or at a discounted price. Please contact us to discuss your options.
If you have questions about your course or funding available, contact the team.
Our Higher Education tuition fees are lower than most UK universities’ fees and represent great value for money. We also offer extra financial support through bursaries and other funds.
Available Loans
If you are aged 18 years of age or older you can apply for a student loan to over the cost of your course. Please speak to Student Finance for further information.
Student Finance Maintenance Loans
You may be able to borrow money to help pay for your tuition fees and to help with living costs. For more information, visit Student finance for undergraduates: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Scholarship Awards
The College offers a limited number of Scholarship Awards made up of a cash grant of £1,000 for first year full time students and £500 cash grant for first year part time students. The awards are paid in February and May. Students are eligible if their household income up to £25,000 and have to demonstrate a commitment to study through attendance and engagement with study.
Am I eligible for funding?
Funding is available to students on lower incomes to help meet costs associated with their course and coming to college, with several different options available, depending on the type and level of study.
Remember, our Student Financial Support Team is ready and waiting to help with information, advice and support on a range of fees and finance issues related to your study.
Find out more about student finance by visiting Student Finance England
