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Free Courses Available*

Are You Eligible For a Free Course?

If you’re on a low income, your course could be free. Make the most of this great opportunity – contact us to see if you are eligible.

Can you afford to miss out?

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has introduced an earnings threshold as part of new eligibility criteria that enable learners to be fully funded if they earn below £25,000.

From August 1st 2024 we can fully fund learners who are unemployed, employed or self-employed, if they earn below £25,000 annual gross salary.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk and search for Adult Skills Fund.

*PLEASE NOTE: This initiative does not apply to all courses, so please get in touch to find out if the course in which you’re interested is included. You’ll be required to provide evidence of your low earnings if you’re claiming full funding through this initiative and we will assess your eligibility. You must also meet the residency criteria.

Coming September 2026 – Transformation to the post-18 funding system through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will transform the post-18 student finance system in England. From September 2026, it will create a single funding system to help people pay for college or university courses, and train, retrain and upskill flexibly over their working lives.

The LLE will allow people to develop new skills and gain new qualifications at a time that is right for them. This could be through a full-time degree, or individual modules, or other courses such as Higher Technical Qualifications.

From the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the LLE loan will be available for:

  • full courses at level 4,5 and 6 such as a degree or technical qualifications
  • modules of high-value technical courses at level 4 to 5

Under the LLE, eligible learners will be able to access:

  • a tuition fees loan, with new learners able to access up to the full entitlement of £37,000, equal to 4 years of study in today’s fees
  • a maintenance loan to cover living costs

Targeted maintenance grants will also be available for some groups such as learners with disabilities, or for support with childcare. An additional entitlement may be available in certain cases – for example, for some priority subjects or longer courses such as medicine. Learners will be able to see their loan balance through their own LLE personal account. This will help them make choices about the courses and learning pathways available.

Learn more about the changes here: Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Student Support Fund is available to students aged 19+ who are enrolled on further education courses, either full-time or part-time, and who meet the eligibility criteria. Funding is not available for students on apprenticeships, higher education or full-cost courses where other funding rules may apply. You must also meet the residency criteria.

Eligible students are entitled to payments for travel to and from college, stationery, PPE, Uniform, essential books, UCAS application fee and travel for University interviews. The College will, wherever possible, make these payments on your behalf.

The Student Support Fund for 19+ learners is finite and is not an entitlement. Students who are eligible may also include those who:

  • In receipt of Income Support
  • In receipt of Job Seekers Allowance
  • In receipt of Employment Support Allowance
    • Supported under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act, and legally resident in the UK for 6 months
  • In receipt of the guaranteed element of the State Pension
    •  
  • Have an income of under £25,000 annual gross salary to receive financial support.
  • Can demonstrate that they are currently facing financial hardship.

Key information about the Student Support Fund

  • The Student Support Fund is awarded on a first come, first served basis.
  • Funding must be used to help pay for course-related costs, such as equipment, trips, childcare, books and travel.
  • Each application is considered individually and assessed against the eligibility criteria. Should you wish to appeal if your application is not supported, you can appeal in writing to the Deputy CEO, Derby College, Roundhouse Road, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8JE.
  • There are robust measures in place to manage the risk of fraud. Photocopies of documentation will be required as proof when you are applying for funding support.
  • The College reserves the right to withhold payments if you withdraw early from your course, whatever the reason.
  • Students are required to meet specific levels of attendance (80%) and behaviour. Support may be withdrawn if you do not meet these criteria.
  • Where an award is to be paid into a bank account, this must be your bank account. This is a national Learner Support Fund rule to ensure that there is no conflict with the benefit agencies.

    • How do I apply for the Student Support Fund?

    If you’re looking to start a full-time or part-time further education course with us from September and think that you may be eligible for one of the bursaries you can apply after 22nd August 2023, as soon as you are enrolled, via your InTouch account.

    If you need to ask any questions you can contact the Student Support Fund team. By phone on 0800 028 0289
    Or by email on studentsupportfund@derby-college.ac.uk