Benefits

If you are receiving benefits, you may be able to continue claiming while you study but you should check, prior to starting your learning with:

• Jobcentre Plus; or
• your local Citizens Advice Centre; or

Do I have to pay Council Tax?

If you are described as being on a “full programme of study” for the purposes of Council Tax, you can claim an exemption and should apply to your local authority. The College will send details of your course hours to the local authority.

If you are a young parent and want to return to, or continue with your learning, then C2L can cover the cost of your childcare and transport costs.

You can apply for C2L if you can answer yes to the following questions:

• You will be under 20 years of age on the day your course starts
• You are caring for your own child or children
• You meet residency conditions
• You are undertaking learning that receives some public funding
• Your childcare provider is registered with Ofsted to ensure they meet certain safety and quality standards

Further information can be found on the designated website here or contact the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989

This is a weekly payment for students who have a low household income. To check if you are eligible for this financial support please ask at student services for an application form. This form will explain what evidence will be needed as proof of household income. We would appreciate it if you could complete the form as soon as possible, however decisions on who will receive the financial support may not be made until September at the start of the college term or later depending on when your application was received. If you are eligible your payments will be back dated to the week your course started – this is assessed on a weekly basis in line with the average College rates of participation. Payments are made directly into your bank account.

You can apply for this Adult Financial Support if:

• your household income is at, or below, £30,500
• your course will lead to your first full Level 2 or first Level 3 qualification or Access to University
• you are studying full-time – at least 12 hours a week (equivalent to 450 hours of ‘guided learning’ a year, or 150 hours a term)
• Part-time students can apply under certain circumstances

Financial Support Furness College Leaflet

Financial Support Application Form

This is for learners aged 19+ in further education or training studying a second Level 3 and above. The loans are not means tested or credit checked and any individual who meets the criteria will be able to apply for a loan whether they’re employed or unemployed – the loan will then be paid directly to the college on your behalf.

For full details click here: Advanced Learner Loan: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or contact Student Services on 01229 844817.

Furness College Financial Support

The Furness College Financial Support is to enable students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at University level. Successful applicants, who are awarded financial support, will receive:

• Full time students – a benefit of no less than £2,000 (max £1,000 cash, fee waiver of up to £1,000).
• Part time students – an award for tuition fee waiver (studying a minimum of 25% intensity of the full time equivalent), and a cash benefit pro rata.

Click here for the Higher Education Furness College Bursary Application 2023 – 2024

Click here for Higher Education Furness College Bursary Leaflet 2023-24

Maintenance Loan

The maintenance loan is available to full-time students only. You may have to give details of your household income. EU students can’t apply for Maintenance Loans. The loan is paid directly into your bank account at the start of term. You have to pay the loan back.

Other financial help includes:

• Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs)
• Childcare Grant
• Parents’ Learning Allowance
• Adult Dependants’ Grant

Further information on maintenance loans and financial help can be found here.

By studying at Furness College, you have the prospect of gaining a degree validated by one of the UK’s top universities, all without the added financial costs of living away from home.

As the largest provider of education and skills training in Cumbria studying with Furness College can offer you a wide range of benefits:

• Over thirty years’ experience of providing university education
• Learn-while-you-work, thereby reducing costs and loans
• University qualifications which are validated by the University of Lancashire, the University of Cumbria, Lancaster University or Pearson
• Accreditation by the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) and Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• University qualifications which are relevant to future employment opportunities
• Small group sizes which are friendly and supportive and help to improve confidence
• Courses which fit around the workplace and a busy home life
• Reduced transport costs
• A network of support including personal tutors and additional support
• High standards of tuition
• Excellent training resources which meet industrial/commercial standards
• Progression routes to honours degree courses or employment
• Superb facilities including several IT suites with subject specific software
• Resource Centre with quiet study areas, resources and computers

By studying at Furness College, you have the prospect of gaining a degree validated by some of the UK’s top universities, all without the added financial costs of living away from home. As Furness College is the largest provider of education and skills training in Cumbria.

✓Our Benefits

Our advice and guidance events provide an excellent opportunity to explore the Furness College campus, view the facilities and talk to tutors about the extensive range of courses on offer. Student Ambassadors will also be on hand to talk about their own college experience.

• Over thirty years’ experience of providing university education
• Learn-while-you-work, thereby reducing costs and loans
• University qualifications which are validated by the University of Lancashire, the University of Cumbria, Lancaster University or Pearson
• Accreditation by the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) and Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• University qualifications which are relevant to future employment opportunities
• Small group sizes which are friendly and supportive and help to improve confidence
• Courses which fit around the workplace and a busy home life
• Reduced transport costs
• A network of support including personal tutors and additional support
• High standards of tuition
• Excellent training resources which meet industrial/commercial standards
• Progression routes to honours degree courses or employment
• Superb facilities including several IT suites with subject specific software
• University Resource Centre with quiet study areas, resources and computers

Facilities at Furness College

Furness College has invested in great facilities for Higher Education Students. There is a dedicated HE Resource Area, with key textbooks, a number of computer terminals, quite study space and two dedicated HE tutorial rooms. Specialist subjects such as computing are taught in dedicated and well-equipped computer labs. £4million has been invested in a dedicated Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre (AMTC) where Engineering higher level students have their own dedicated classroom, computer labs and advanced manufacturing facilities.

The College runs two very successful courses that are related to teaching and training: the Certificate in Education (CertEd) and the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Both offer practising teachers (and aspiring teachers) the opportunity to formally qualify for a teaching career in the post-compulsory (further education) sector

Higher and degree apprenticeships provide a high-quality alternative to the traditional degree route. They combine skilled on-the-job training with higher level study to give you the skills needed to progress your career. Higher apprenticeships are delivered at Levels 4 and 5 and include professional, vocational and usually an academic qualifications. Some higher apprenticeships include a foundation degree, which can then be topped up to a full honours award. Degree apprenticeships include a full bachelor’s and/or master’s degree.