Student Finance

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Lakes College West Cumbria

If you are aged 16 and studying on a full time course you may be entitled to get the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Our Full and Part Time Further Education courses are FREE to anyone under the age of 19. Even if you are over 19 you may be entitled to a reduction in tuition fees depending on your individual circumstances.

 

Learner Support Funds (LSF)
You may be entitled to extra financial help. This depends on your individual circumstances and household income. You will also need to be:

 

What are LSF funds?
Learner Support Funds is money Lakes College has available for students to help them access Further Education. The funds are there to help students attend college so the money can be used to help towards the costs of:
Course fees for Full Time Courses:
If you are over 19 and have a level 2 qualification* a full time course will cost £300 unless you are on a means tested benefit (working tax credit, housing benefit, income support or income based job seekers allowance) then the full amount will be waived. Alternatively if your combined household income is lower than £19,630 (this threshold figure may alter so please check for current information with Student Services) then you need to pay £75 of the course fee and the LSF fund will pay the remainder. If you have not got a level 2 qualification then you do not pay anything towards your course fees but need to sign a declaration form (available from Student Services) to confirm this. (*A level 2 qualification can be any one of the following: 5 GCSE's at grade A-C, 5 O Level passes, 5 CSE Grade 1's, an NVQ 2, an Intermediate GNVQ or a First Diploma.)
Course Fees for Part Time Courses:
If you are over 19 and your combined household income is lower than £19,630 (this threshold figure may alter so please check for current information with Student Services) then you need to pay 25% of the total cost and the LSF fund will pay the remaining 75%.
Alternatively if you are on a means tested benefit (working tax credit, housing benefit, income support or income based job seekers allowance) then you need to pay 25% of the exam and registration fees and the LSF fund will pay the remaining 75% of the cost.
Childcare
If your combined household income is lower than £19,630 (this threshold figure may alter so please check for current information with Student Services) or you are in receipt of means tested benefits (working tax credit, housing benefit, income support or income based job seekers allowance) you may be eligible for childcare assistance from the LSF fund.  We can pay up to £4 per hour depending on the funds available to a registered childminder or nursery. We can only pay for the days you attend college or are on placement during college term times. If possible we advise that you apply as soon as possible before starting your course. If you are a young parent aged under 20 there is a 'Care to Learn' programme available to assist with the cost of childcare. Please contact Student Services for further information. If you are a Higher Education student studying a full time course with dependant children in registered and approved childcare you may be eligible for a 'Childcare Grant' but you must contact your local LEA for more information.
Travel to and from the course
In student services our aim is to help as many students as we can to attend College. This may be through concessionary travel or bus passes for our full time under 19 year old students. In addition to this, other students may be able to apply for help with the cost of public transport or a private vehicle. The Cumbria County Council offer a bus pass to full-time students under 19 who live outside a 3 mile 'as the crow flies' radius from college. Application forms for a bus pass can be obtained from Student Services. Students who are not eligible for a bus pass can apply to Student Services for Concessionary Travel Assistance (you will be assessed on your income/parents income and/or receipt of any income based benefits).Stagecoach offer a College Rider bus pass to all students for £12 per week which gives you unlimited use of the stagecoach buses from Ravenglass to Cockermouth School. Again, if you are on a low income or in receipt of in receipt of income based benefit the College Rider will cost you only £6.
The LSF funds can also help you with the costs of:

 

If you are experiencing particular financial difficulties, you could also apply to the hardship fund for help. An interview will have to be arranged to assess your needs. Please ask in Student Services for more information.
How do I find out if I'm entitled to any financial help?
To find out more about whether or not you are entitled to financial help, please contact student services. They will be able to assess your situation and help you complete any forms that are needed.

Accommodation
If you are looking for accommodation locally, we will try to help and can also put you in touch with other relevant organisations.
Higher Education - How much does it cost?
Please contact student services and they will send you a copy of our Higher Education Students Guide to Money.