Financial help

Do I have to pay a fee?
Can I get help with tuition fees?
Can I get help with other costs?
How do I qualify for the Discretionary Learner Support (DLS)?
What about other financial help?
Is there anything else I need to do?
Income-based benefits

Do I have to pay a fee?

Courses are free if you want to develop your literacy and numeracy skills.

Contact your Regional Office to ask about having an assessment of your skills, about free courses and about taking a National Certificate in literacy or numeracy.

There will be a fee for most other courses.

Can I get help with tuition fees?

If your course is not free, you may still be entitled to fee remission.  You will usually need to be:

•  A UK or EU citizen, and
•  Resident in the UK for 3 years when the course starts, and
•  On an income-based benefit - or be the dependant of someone who is.

You may also get fee remission if:

•  You have refugee status or official Leave to Remain or Humanitarian Protection. You will need to provide evidence of your residency status when you enrol - usually your passport stamp.
•  You are an asylum seeker. You will need to show proof of Asylum Support, and that you have been in the UK legally for six months or more, and that the Home Office is still considering your claim. You will need to show your Asylum Registration Card or equivalent.

Accreditation and exam fees can be claimed through Discretionary Learner Support as additional course costs.

Tuition fees cannot normally be claimed through Discretionary Learner Support. The exceptions are:

•  If you suffer sudden or exceptional financial hardship but cannot get fee remission
•  If you are on an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course and suffer financial hardship but cannot get fee remission.

If you are on a university-level course, you will not normally be able to get fee remission or other help through the WEA. Your university may be able to help you.

If you are not sure of your status or need further information, contact your Regional Office. See also other financial help.

Can I get help with other costs?

If you are in financial need, you may be able to apply for Discretionary Learner Support for help towards:

•  Travel to and from your class
•  Essential books, equipment or field trips, as set out in the course details
•  Childcare (providing you are using an Ofsted registered childminder, creche, nursery or playgroup)
•  Travel to and from your childcare provider
•  Additional course costs such as exam fees, accreditation fees or professional membership fees, where these are an essential part of the course.

You can apply for help for up to 3 courses in each academic year, and there are some upper limits on childcare and other costs, which change annually. It is best to apply early as the funds are limited.

If you feel that you are being prevented from learning because of financial hardship, contact your tutor or your Regional Office immediately. See also other financial help.

How do I qualify for the Discretionary Learner Support (DLS)?

To get help, you will need to meet the residency requirements for fee remission. You will also need to show that financial difficulties are likely to prevent you from following and completing your course.

We're sorry that receiving Asylum Support does not qualify you for this fund.

We will ask you to provide evidence that financial difficulties are preventing you from learning. This might include:

•  Proof of income-based benefit (e.g. your WEA Enrolment Form) OR
•  Proof of annual gross household income (e.g. wages slips or bank statements for 3 months) AND
•  A description of the financial circumstances affecting your learning.

If you can provide evidence of your annual outgoings (e.g. rent or mortgage, fuel, rates and utilities) this might also strengthen your claim.

If you receive cash payments from Discretionary Learner Support, and you are on an income-based benefit, you will need to declare this to Job Centre Plus.

What about other financial help?

There are some other sources of finance available nationally. Use the following checklist to see if you might qualify.

You may be entitled to an Adult Learning Grant of up to £30 p.w. (term-time) if you are:

• Aged 19 or over on 31st August this year
• Studying for at least 450 hours over the year. (This can be block as well as regular attendance.)
• Attending your course regularly
• On a qualifications bearing course
• Not on "out of work" benefits (JSA, IS, ESA) or on a government grant
• Earned less than £19,513 in the last tax year (£30,810 if you are living with a partner).

Find out more at national Learner Support Services or ring the helpline on 0800 121 8989

You may be entitled to Care to Learn support for childcare costs if you are:

• Aged 19 or under on 31st August this year
• The main carer for your own child or children
• On a course that has some public funding (any kind of government funding counts)
• Using an Ofsted registered childcare provider.

Find out more at national Learner Support Services or ring the helpline on 0800 121 8989

Is there anything else I need to do?

If you receive financial support, you must:

•  Let us know straight away if your circumstances change
•  Refund the money if you leave without good reason
•  Return books and equipment at the end of the course if asked.

If you need more information, please contact your Regional Office (or ask your tutor if you are already on a course).

Income-based benefits

The main income-based benefits are:

• Income Support
• Job Seeker's Allowance
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-based)
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit
• Working Tax Credit (where your annual income falls below £15,276)
• Pension Guarantee Credit.