Starting a Course at College, getting a little help?

Driving_Soon

Titch89 wrote: »

I'm in the same situation and one of the tutors is pretty convinced that I'll have to pay full fees.

How old are you may i ask? and how much are you going to have to pay? :eek:

Titch89

I'm 19 and will have to pay about £500.

bestpud

This thread has made me wonder how many would be students are going away thinking they cannot afford courses because they have been wrongly advised by tutors?

Wouldn't it be better to make sure every tutor gives out some sort of info about finance - if only the Direct.gov web address? They should at the very least be able to tell people where to look, shouldn't they?

lilysgarden

I'd contact your local Connexions office too. Some people find them useless, but like everything, you occasionally get a good advisor who knows their stuff! Plus it can never hurt to ask.....

Driving_Soon

Thanks Guys for all your help! but from what someone has quoted from the direct website

If you don’t already have GCSEs, A levels or equivalent qualifications, you may be able to study for them without having to pay any tuition fees.

You’ll be able to get free tuition:

• for a course which leads to your first full Level 2 qualification
• if you’re 25 or under, for a course which leads to your first full Level 3 qualification

I should be Ok? As I'm Under 25, and going on a course which will lead for my first level 3 qualification? As my college seems a little ummm ... well don't seem clued up on this subject, shall i quote them this when i go for my interview just incase i get someone else saying I have to pay £900!

BestPud, Your so right! I was told to get a better furture for my self and take this course I'd have to pay £900!! £900, its madness! ecpesh when you guys, who are just forum users with a little research or knowledge have informed me i don't have too.

Thanks guys for all your help!

Oldernotwiser

It often depends who you talk to at the college; academic tutors (normally the people who interview you) won't necesarily know this information as it's not part of their role. You need to talk to someone with a title like Student Welfare Adviser or Student Finance Officer for this sort of information. Just because someone works at a college, doesn't mean that they know much about finance but there will normally be someone there who does.

poet123

I would agree with this the problem is funding/grants/concessions change from year to year and Tutors are reluctant to give out info in case it is wong.

See the Advice and Guidance officer they should be up to date.

Titch89

I spoke to the welfare person who seemed convinced that such a thing didn't exist. Yet on the application form, it said if I was between 19 & 25 and didn't have a Level 3 qualification, then I would get reducded fees.

Oldernotwiser

Driving_Soon wrote: »

BestPud, Your so right! I was told to get a better furture for my self and take this course I'd have to pay £900!! £900, its madness! ecpesh when you guys, who are just forum users with a little research or knowledge have informed me i don't have too.

Thanks guys for all your help!

To be fair, many of us who post on this and other boards are specialists in our field. (And we also make mistakes some times.)