If you have any questions about the information in this section, remember we have experts on hand in our Learner Help Centre. You can contact them on:

Telephone: 020 8090 3020
Email: engagement.services@barkingdagenhamcollege.ac.uk

Are you under 19 years of age on 31 August 2011?

If this is you and you are an EU citizen following a mainstream programme of study, you do not need to pay tuition fees.

Are you 19 years of age on 31 August 2011?

If so, then you will need to pay tuition fees and an examination fee when you enrol.

The fees vary according to the course. If the fee information is not shown on this site at the foot of the page for your chosen course, then please speak to our Engagement Services team on 020 8090 3020.

In some instances, depending on your personal circumstances and the level of course you wish to join, there may be fee concessions available. For example, if you are in receipt of one or more of the following, but please ask us for more information:

1. Job Seekers Allowance (income and contribution based)
2. Employment & Support Allowance

Are you an international student?

If you have not been an EU resident for at least 3 years you will need to pay the full international tuition fee. More information on being an international student is available here.

How to pay your fees

Course fees under £300 must be paid in full at the time of enrolment. You can pay you fees by :

1. Cash
2. Debit Card or Credit Card
3. Cheque

If your employer (or other organisation, agent or sponsor) is paying your course fee, you will need to provide this information on their letterhead and we will invoice them. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer our instalment plan facility to employers. If you withdraw from your course part way through then please be aware that they will still be responsible for settling your fees in full.

We do have to make a charge of £30 for late payment of fees.

Spread the cost of your fees and set up an Instalment Plan or a Direct Debit Instalment Plan

If your course fees are £300 or more, and your course is for more than 16 weeks, you may be able to spread your fees over three or four installments.

There is a £20 admin charge for this, which increases to £250 for international students. The first instalment is due when you enrol together with the administration charge and you will be advised when the remaining instalments will be due.

If you withdraw from the course please note that all outstanding fees are due in full and there is no charge of £30 for late payment of fees.

Essential documents so we can set up your instalment plan

You will need to come to the Learner Help Centre and bring these documents with you:

1. One of these to prove your identity: your passport, or birth certificate, or   photo driving licence.

2. One of these to prove your address: utility bill or bank statement (not older than 3 months), current council tax bill or your photo driving licence.

3. Proof of your UK bank account – a statement (not older than 3 months) or Debit Card.

If you would like to pay by Direct Debit you will need to bring all your bank account details with you too.

Find out the Learner Help Centre opening hours
Telephone: 020 8090 3020

Money to help you study

There are a number of sources of financial support to help you during your studies.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA): if you are aged 16 – 18, have recently left school and are following a full-time course (at least 12 hours a week) you may qualify for an EMA which is worth £30 a week.For more information on the EMA go to www.direct.gov.uk/ema or www.ypla.gov.ukAdult Learning Grant (ALG): if you are aged 19 or over and are studying full-time for your first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, this Grant is worth up to £30 a week. If you qualify the Grant is worth up to £30 a week.To qualify you should not be receiving support from other government grants / training allowances or be in receipt of out of work benefits. For more information on the ALG go to www.direct.gov.uk/ALG

Additional financial help and support

There are a number of sources of financial help available if you come from a low income background and find the on-going costs of education prohibitive. We have provided some information below about the Learner Support Fund and the Barking & Dagenham College Support Fund, but for a more detailed discussion about your situation please get in touch. As well as financial advice we can also help you with other issues you may be facing such as:

• Welfare benefits
• Housing and homelessness
• Employment
• Family/relationship breakdown
• Consumer issues

For more information, or to make an appointment to discuss your situation, please contact:

Iftakhar Ahmad
Welfare Officer at Barking & Dagenham College
Telephone: 020 8090 3020 extn 7271
Email: iftakhar.ahmad@barkingdagenhamcollege.ac.uk

The Learner Support Fund

If you are in a UK resident studying on a Further Education course, and a UK resident, the Learner Support Fund may be able to help. This Fund is for learners who are on low incomes, and is usually a means tested benefit. It can help you meet the costs of learning, such as payment towards exam fees, books, equipment, etc. You can use the funds to help pay for childcare fees but money is not available for general living costs.

There is a separate Access to Learning Fund for those studying at a Higher Education level (HNC, HND or degree).

Barking & Dagenham College Support Fund

We also have a fund available to help learners in financial need. Please contact Iftakhar Ahmad for more information.

Telephone: 020 8090 3020 extn 7271
Email: iftakhar.ahmad@barkingdagenhamcollege.ac.uk