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Funding and Fees

Level 2 Entitlement

"Level 2 Entitlement" is an offer of free tuition if you are studying for your first full level two qualification. You can be studying full- or part-time.

Who is entitled to the Level 2 offer?

You may get the level 2 offer if:

  • You are at least 19 years of age
  • You commit to a full level 2 qualification
  • It is your first full level 2 (or equivalent) qualification (a full level 2 is the equivalent of 5 GCSEs grade A to C, GNVQ Intermediate, NVQ level 2 or BTEC First Diploma)
  • You are starting/continuing a course in the 2007/2008 academic year
  • You are a UK National – that is if you were born here, have UK citizenship or a UK passport. Or if you've been granted indefinite leave to remain or refugee status. Or if you're from a European Union or European Economic Area Country and satisfy the Home Learner criteria

Check out www.homeoffice.gov.uk for more info.

STOP PRESS! New Level 3 entitlement now launched!

Level 3 Entitlement is available to full-time students only, starting a course in 2007.

We will waive the tuition fee for students who meet the following criteria:

  • aged over 19 and not yet 25 at the start of the learning programme
  • studying for a full Level 3 qualifi cation eg. Access to HE; A levels; BTEC National; NVQ 3
  • have no previous full level 3 qualifi cation eg. 2 A-Levels; BTEC National, NVQ 3

Students will be only required to pay examination/Awarding body fees, registration fees and materials costs.

To gain Level 3 Entitlement, you will need to see our Admissions Department and have a brief advice session where we will collect some details from you and ask you to sign a declaration.
Please call 0117 909 2283 to arrange an appointment.

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For Further Education Courses

  • There are no tuition fees to pay if you are under 19 on the 31st August in the year in which you start your course.
  • If you are over 19 you may be eligible for a waiver of fees if you are in receipt of particular benefits: Housing Benefit, Income Support, Council Tax Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Working Tax Credit or Job Seekers Allowance.
  • If you are over 19 and not in receipt of benefits you may pay by cash at the finance office by cheque made payable to Filton College or by MasterCard or Visa.

For Part-Time Courses

Full Tuition Fees

The full fees payable for each course are given with each course entry. Unless specifically stated to the contrary all tuition fees must be paid in full at the time of enrolment. Fees generally include everything except registration for certain professional bodies e.g. AAT: details of costs additional to the main fees are given in the course entry. Full fees apply to all students unless they wish to apply for a Reduced Fee.

Filton College reserves the right to change tuition fees set without prior notice.

Sponsored Students

If your employer or a sponsor is paying your fees, a letter of sponsorship must be provided at the time of enrolment, stating that the company wishes to be invoiced directly for the fees.

Reduced Fees

Reduced fees are shown as the benefit fee in each course entry. These apply only to unsponsored students who on the date of enrolment are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support (If you are the unwaged dependant of a person who is in receipt of one of the listed means tested benefits to the household, then you may also be eligible for reduced fees.)
  • Council Tax Benefit
  • Pension Guarantee Credit
  • Working Tax Credit (Students in receipt of Working Tax Credit will only be eligible for fee remission if you meet the criteria.You must bring the whole award letter to prove that you are eligible for reduced fees.)
  • Job Seekers Allowance (Please note that Job Seekers Allowance reduction claimants must provide evidence that they arein receipt of benefit - the signing on card is not sufficient to claim a reduction)

International students have fees to pay. Please contact the International Office on 0117 909 2279.

Level 2 Entitlement

“ Level 2 Entitlement” is an offer of free tuition, (see exceptions below) if you are studying for your first full level two qualification. You can be studying full or part-time.

You may get Level 2 Offer if:

  • You are at least 19 years of age
  • You commit to a full level 2 qualification
  • It is your first full level 2 (or equivalent) qualification
  • You are starting/continuing a course in the 2006/2007 academic year
  • You are a UK national - that is, if you were born here, have UK citizenship or a UK passport.
  • Or if you’ve been granted indefinite leave to remain or refugee status.
  • Or if you’re from a European Union or European Economic Area country and satisfy the Home Learner criteria – check out www.home office.gov.uk for more info.

You may even qualify for an Adult Learning Grant (ALG) of £30 a week (terms and conditions apply). To earn as you learn, call 0800 100 900 or visit www.adultlearninggrant.com.

Refunds and Cancellations

Refunding of a course will normally only be made if the course is cancelled by the College. Full refunds will be made if a course is cancelled at or prior to its second meeting. Students in attendance when a course is cancelled at other times will receive proportionate refunds.

Refunds are not available where a student leaves a course after the course has started, or fails to start the course.

Please note: The fees you pay meet only part of the real costs of the course. If your course leads to a qualification, the college will receive extra Government funding for you while you continue to attend. If you are absent for four consecutive teaching weeks, Government funding rules require us to withdraw you and you will not be entitled to any refund of the fees you have paid. If you have been sick or have some other satisfactory explanation, you may be re-admitted to the course without further payment later in the same academic year at the discretion of the lecturer. Re-enrolment will be necessary.

Other financial help

If you feel you would benefit from a course at Filton but find you do not qualify for a reduced fee there may be other sources of financial help available particularly if the course is likely to improve your job prospects. Please contact Student Services on 0117 909 2297 for further information and advice.

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For Higher Education Courses

The fees are determined by the government each year. Please contact the College for further details on 0117 931 2121 or 0117 909 2255 or use our online enquiry form.

HE Student Finance Package

Grants/Discretionary Awards

Depending on your personal circumstances you may be eligible for some financial support.
Please contact the College for details.

Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

What is an EMA?

EMA is a weekly payment worth between £10 to £30 to help support students aged between 16-19 with their further education. There are also bonuses of £100 if you remain on the course and make good progress with your learning.

Who will be entitled to an EMA?

  • Students who are 16-19 years old
  • With an annual household income of £30,850 or below
  • Are on a further education course, 12 hours a week or more

To apply please discuss with your careers' advisor at school during Year 11 or contact Filton College EMA department on 0117 909 2262 or Student Services Department on 0117 931 2121. For more information about EMA's visit the official government web page about EMA's.

Other Costs

There may be some costs incurred as part of the course, these may include:

  • Textbooks, stationery, etc
  • Travel costs to and from college and work experience placements
  • Educational visits and residentials
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Welfare Funds

There is a limited fund available to help students with particular needs. Further details available at interview.

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