Fees and Funding

Learn more about your fees and funding options including guidance on tuition fees, learner loans and financial support.

The amount you pay to study will depend upon your personal circumstances and the course you are enrolling on to. If you are aged 16 to 18 years old your course is free. If you are aged 19 and over, the full cost of your course will include the tuition fee, examination fee and materials fee, where applicable. You can apply for financial help to cover fees if you meet specific criteria, find out more below.

If you have any further questions about the cost of your course or want to enquire about funding support, please click here to submit an enquiry form.

If you are aged 16 to 18 years old your full-time studies with us are fully funded, and there are no fees.

Fees and charges for all courses are clearly shown on our website.

You may be entitled to reduced tuition fees or a fee waiver depending on your age, course, employment status, income, residency status, and previous qualifications.

First qualification entitlements

First full Level 2 qualification (aged 19 to 23)

You may be eligible for fully funded tuition if:

  • You are aged 19 to 23 on 31 August in the academic year your course starts
  • You are living in England and meet residency requirements
  • You have not previously achieved a full Level 2 qualification
  • You are enrolling on a full Level 2 course

Examples of a full Level 2 qualification include five GCSEs at grades A*–C / 9–4, a Level 2 Diploma, or an equivalent qualification.

First full Level 3 qualification (aged 19 to 23)

You may be eligible for full funding towards your first full Level 3 qualification if:

  • You are aged 19 to 23 on 31 August in the academic year your course starts
  • You are living in England and meet residency requirements
  • You have not previously achieved a full Level 3 qualification
  • You are enrolling on an eligible full Level 3 course

Examples of a full Level 3 qualification include two A levels, four AS levels, a Level 3 Diploma, or an Access to Higher Education Diploma.

Fee Waivers based on income or benefits

Unemployed learners in receipt of eligible benefits

You may be eligible for reduced or fully funded tuition if you are:

  • Aged 19 or over
  • Enrolling on an Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2 course
  • Unemployed and in receipt of an eligible income-related benefit

Eligible benefits may include:

  • Universal Credit (UC)
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Credit
  • National Insurance Credits only
  • Working Tax Credit

If you receive Universal Credit, your take-home pay (excluding UC payments and other benefits) must be:

  • Less than £952 per month if you are a single adult claimant, or
  • Less than £1,534 per month if you are part of a joint claim with your partner

Low wage fee waiver (employed or self-employed)

You may also be eligible for reduced tuition fees if you are:

  • Aged 19 or over
  • Enrolling on an Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2 course
  • Employed or self-employed and earning below the low wage threshold
  • Current low wage thresholds are:
  • Less than £28,680 annual gross salary if you live in London
  • Less than £25,750 annual gross salary if you live outside London

Looking for a Level 3 course?

Please note that the fee waivers and funding information listed above apply to Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2 courses only. Level 3 courses for adult learners are not usually fully government funded and tuition fees will normally apply.

In some cases, eligible learners may qualify for funding support or an Advanced Learner Loan depending on their age, previous qualifications, residency status, and the course applied for.

Please check the Fees and Funding section on the relevant course page or contact the Admissions Team for further information.

Important information

Your enrolment will remain provisional until all required evidence has been reviewed and approved. Failure to provide the required evidence, or making an incorrect declaration, may result in full course fees becoming payable.

Please note that material, registration, and examination fees may still apply even where tuition fees are reduced or waived.

The Free Courses for Jobs offer aims to help adults gain the valuable skills they need to improve their job prospects and support the economy.

Any adult aged 19 and over, who does not already have a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or A levels) or higher, can access hundreds of fully-funded Level 3 courses.

This offer is part of the government’s long-term commitment to remove the age constraints and financial barriers for adults looking for their first Level 3 qualification.

Our eligible courses include:

To find out more and check if your course is eligible visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/national-skills-fund

If you are not a British National and/or you have not been resident in the UK for the past three years then you will be classed as an overseas student.

Your application will be subject to eligibility checks and we will need to see proof of visas or settled status. For settled status, you will need to click here to generate a share code so that our team can assess your settled or pre-settled status.

Capel Manor College is currently unable to sponsor international students for Student Route visas (previously known as Tier 4 General Student visas).

An Advanced Learner Loan can help with college or training tuition costs in England. How much you get depends on what you are studying and what you are charged in tuition fees. The minimum loan is £300 and it will be paid directly to your college or training provider. The loan does not depend on your current employment status and is not means tested. You will only start repaying the loan once you have completed your course and are earning more than £25,000 per year.

You are eligible for a loan if you are: aged 19 or over on the first day of your course, enrolling onto a Level 3 course or above, and a resident in the UK/EU/EEA for at least three years before the start date of your course.

The eligibility criteria can vary depending on when you started studying. Find out more at www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

In some cases, additional charges for tuition, examinations and materials will need to be paid at enrolment.

Student Finance England will write-off any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it. The higher education course must be eligible for student finance.

Tuition fee loans cover the cost of your undergraduate course fees, and are paid directly to the university or college.

There is no age limit on eligibility for tuition fee loans, so anyone can apply, providing that they are going to be studying for their first undergraduate degree. 

Depending on where you live, there are different options available, and you will need to apply to different organisations. Students from England can apply for a tuition fee loan wherever they choose to study in the UK.

A means-tested maintenance loan is available to all students who are eligible for student finance. Adult learners can apply for grants and bursaries to help pay for courses and training.

Check the tuition fee costs for your course on the UCAS search tool.

For more detailed information, you can read our Fees and Refunds Policy document.

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Financial support for students

We understand that the cost of attending college can sometimes create barriers to learning. To help eligible learners participate, stay on programme, and achieve their qualifications, a range of financial support funds are available.

Financial support is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and is intended to help those who may experience financial hardship or require additional assistance with costs associated with attending college.

Support may be available towards:

  • Travel costs
  • Meals
  • Childcare costs
  • Residential accommodation costs
  • Mandatory or essential course equipment and materials
  • Mandatory or essential uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Educational visits and trips that form part of the study programme
  • Emergency financial hardship

All support is subject to eligibility criteria, available funding, assessment of need, and the provision of supporting evidence.

Before you apply

Please read the information below carefully and select the support category that applies to your circumstances.

The support available to you will depend on:

  • Your age
  • The type of course you are studying
  • Your funding status
  • Your household income or financial circumstances
  • Whether you receive an Advanced Learner Loan
  • The type of support you require

If you are unsure which support fund applies to you, please contact the Admissions Team before submitting an application.

Important information

  • All support is discretionary and subject to eligibility criteria, available funding, and assessment of need.
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee an award
  • Where demand exceeds available funding, priority may be given to learners with the greatest financial need.
  • Learners receiving financial support are expected to maintain satisfactory attendance, engagement, and conduct.
  • Support may be reduced, suspended, or withdrawn where these expectations are not met. The College may exercise discretion where exceptional or mitigating circumstances apply.
  • The College reserves the right to request tutor confirmation where attendance falls below the required standard but the learner remains engaged, up to date with their studies, and absences are supported by genuine circumstances.
  • Learners may be required to provide receipts, invoices, proof of purchase, or other evidence before support is awarded, reimbursed, or continued.
  • The College reserves the right to amend eligibility criteria, award levels, and support arrangements in line with Department for Education (DfE) funding guidance and available funding.

For learners aged 16 to 18 on 31 August before the start of the academic year, or learners aged 19 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

16–19 Discretionary Learner Support Fund

Designed to support learners from lower-income households with the costs associated with attending college.

Support may be available towards:

  • Travel
  • Meals
  • Mandatory or essential course equipment and materials
  • Mandatory or essential uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Educational visits and trips that form part of the study programme
  • Other mandatory course-related costs required for participation and achievement

16–19 Vulnerable Learner Bursary

Available to learners who fall within one of the vulnerable groups defined by the Department for Education, including:

  • Young people in care
  • Care leavers
  • Learners receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in their own right
  • Learners receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), together with Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit in their own right

Support may be used towards:

  • Travel
  • Meals
  • Mandatory or essential course equipment and materials
  • Mandatory or essential uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Educational visits and trips that form part of the study programme
  • Other mandatory course-related costs required for participation and achievement

Care to Learn

  • Care to Learn is a government-funded scheme for young parents aged under 20 at the start of their study programme
  • The scheme can help with the cost of registered childcare while you attend college
  • For further information and to apply, visit https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn

 

Emergency Hardship Support

Additional Short-term assistance may be available for learners experiencing unexpected financial hardship that could prevent them from continuing their studies.

Support is discretionary, subject to assessment, and available funding.

Free College Meals

If you are aged 16 to 18 and meet the Department for Education eligibility criteria for Free College Meals, you may be entitled to receive meal support while attending college.

Eligible learners will receive £3 per day for each day they are timetabled to attend college.

Depending on the campus you attend, support will be provided through one of the below:

  • The College's electronic meal system using your student ID card
  • Direct payment to your nominated bank account

You do not need to submit a separate application for Free College Meals. Eligibility will be assessed automatically as part of your bursary application and supporting evidence review.

Free College Meals are subject to Department for Education eligibility criteria and are only available for timetabled days of attendance.

Free breakfast

All students aged 16 to 18 years’ old are able to enjoy a free breakfast before they start their day at college. Find out more.

Oyster card

If you live in a London borough and are 18 and under, you can also apply for a Zip Oyster photocard which gives you free or discounted travel around London on buses, the Tube, DLR and Overground. Find out more here.

 

 

For eligible adult learners studying on government-funded further education courses.

Adult travel support

A contribution towards the cost of travelling to and from college.

Support may be available towards:

  • Bus fares
  • Train fares
  • Fuel costs

Adult course equipment support

Support towards the cost of mandatory or essential items required for your course.

This may include:

  • Mandatory or essential tools and specialist equipment
  • Mandatory or essential uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Mandatory books and learning materials required for the course
  • Other mandatory equipment identified by the College as necessary for participation and achievement

Adult childcare support

A contribution towards childcare costs for eligible adult learners who need childcare support in order to attend college.

Support may be available if you:

  • Meet the eligibility requirements of the 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund
  • Are enrolled on an eligible government-funded Further Education course at Capel Manor College
  • Are the parent, legal guardian, or main carer of the child or children for whom support is being requested
  • Use an Ofsted-registered childcare provider, or equivalent approved provider where applicable, that holds appropriate public liability insurance

Childcare support may not cover the full cost of your childcare arrangements. The maximum childcare support available is £2,000 per academic year.

Support is only available for childcare costs incurred on days when you are timetabled to attend college.

Adult residential accommodation support

A contribution towards accommodation costs for eligible adult learners who have relocated, or are required to relocate, in order to attend their course at Capel Manor College.

Support may be available if you:

  • Meet the eligibility requirements of the 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund
  • Are enrolled on an eligible government-funded full-time Further Education course at Capel Manor College
  • Have a gross annual household income of £35,000 or less (before tax and deductions), or are in receipt of an eligible means-tested benefit
  • Have relocated, or are required to relocate, to accommodation closer to College in order to attend and participate in your course
  • Are living in privately rented or other suitable accommodation within the College's travel-to-work area (normally within a 25-mile radius of the College or where the journey to college is less than two hours)

Residential accommodation support is intended as a contribution towards accommodation costs and is not designed to meet the full cost of rent or living expenses.

The College does not provide, arrange, approve, or guarantee accommodation. Learners are responsible for sourcing and securing their own accommodation.

Support is subject to available funding, assessed need, and the provision of supporting evidence, including proof of accommodation arrangements and associated costs.

Emergency hardship support

Additional short-term assistance may be available for learners experiencing unexpected financial hardship that could prevent them from continuing their studies.

Support is discretionary, subject to assessment, and available funding.

To assess your application, the College may request evidence of:

  • Household income
  • Benefits received
  • Childcare arrangements
  • Accommodation costs
  • Travel costs
  • Course-related expenses
  • Advanced Learner Loan status
  • Other information relevant to the support being requested

If you are unable to upload supporting evidence to your application, please email it to bursary@capel.ac.uk

Please include your full name, student ID number (if known), and details of the support you have applied for.

You will normally be required to provide evidence that financial support has been used for its intended purpose.

Depending on the type of support awarded, acceptable evidence may include:

  • Receipts
  • Invoices
  • Tickets or travel passes
  • Proof of purchase
  • Childcare invoices
  • Accommodation invoices or tenancy agreements
  • Mileage records
  • Bank statements showing the transaction
  • Other evidence requested by the College

Support may be paid directly to a childcare provider where appropriate.

Where reimbursement is requested, payment will normally only be made upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of expenditure.

Failure to provide requested evidence may result in:

  • Delays to payment or reimbursement
  • Suspension or withdrawal of support
  • Recovery of funds already paid where expenditure cannot be verified

The College reserves the right to request additional evidence at any stage of the academic year to verify eligibility, expenditure, or continued entitlement to support.

 

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