Financial Help
Worried you can’t afford to go to College? We can help!
If you’re 16-18, a British or European Union resident and on a full or part-time government-funded further education course there are normally no tuition, exam or registration fees.
College Bursary
If you have a low household income you may be able to get a College Bursary worth up to £400 to help you pay for College and travel costs.
Care To Learn
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If you are a young parent, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and travel costs while you're studying a College course funded by the Learning and Skills Council.
Care to Learn will pay for:
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Childcare costs while you learn, including while you are on placement
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Childcare costs for extra home/private study
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A childcare deposit (up to £250) if one is charged
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Any necessary childcare fees payable during holidays in order to retain your child's place
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Necessary travel costs to and from your childcare provider
In order to apply for the Care to Learn scheme you must be:
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A parent under the age of 20 at the start of your college course
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Caring for your own children (whether you are a father or a mother)
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Living in England
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Using a registered childcare provider
Please note that childcare payments can only be backdated to the start of the young parent’s course or learning programme if their application is received within 28 days of the course start date. For applications received outside of this timeframe, payments will begin from the Monday of the week the application was received.
For more information on the Care to Learn scheme see the website|.
To apply for the Care to Learn scheme visit the Care to Learn website|.
If you have any queries about the Care to Learn scheme please call the Provider Helpline on 0845 600 7979.
The Department for Education have confirmed that there will be no changes to the Care to Learn childcare support scheme for the academic year 2012/13.
Support for Care Leavers
If you are a care leaver, a young person in care or if you are living independently you could get a bursary of up to £1,200 towards coming to College.
Army Bursary
The Army FE Bursary Scheme is open to students aged 16-32 studying Public Services. You could get paid up to £2,000 to start your army career. For more information see an Army Careers Adviser, visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk| Tel: 08457 300 111.
Transport
Surrey students can get half price travel to and from college with a local authority Student Fare Care for the bus or train. See our Transport and Travel| pages for more information.
Food
Save the hassle of bringing money to College each day and use your financial support bursary to purchase food vouchers.
Accommodation
The College Accommodation Team supports students in our Halls of Residence at Merrist Wood College and in homestay accommodation. We also offer a Residential Bursary Scheme to assist qualifying students with costs. To be eligible for the Residential Bursary Scheme you need to be studying your first full-time Level 2 or 3 vocational course and unable to find a similar course locally to your home (within reasonable travelling distance). For more information on accommodation or the bursary Tel: 01483 88 40 93.
NUS Cards
If you are over 16 you can apply for an NUS Extra Card from the College or from www.nusonline.com| which will get you discounts from lots of shops, organisations and events.
Gym
ActivZone health and fitness centre at Guildford College is packed with equipment such as treadmills, steppers, bikes and spinning bikes, rowing machines, free weights and a rock climbing wall. You can also sign up for personal training, nutrition advice and various classes at rock bottom prices, if not for free. Students get reduced membership fees. For more information Tel: 01483 44 86 66 or visit www.activzone.co.uk|
Hair and Beauty Treatments
You can get haircuts, styles and beauty treatments at rock bottom prices at Salon in the Park| at Guildford College or Salon Vision| at Farnham College!
Student Volunteers
If you help out at our Open Days and other College events we'll give you a financial reward - normally a voucher to spend in high street clothing stores.
For more information about any of the above contact our Information, Advice and Careers Team Tel: 01483 88 40 40.