Student Finance - 4th Years

Fourth Year Students (first enrolled prior to 2006/07)

Tuition Fees

For continuing students the maximum contribution towards undergraduate fees is £1,255.

Continuing students will continue to be means tested for tuition fee grant support, but can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover their personal contribution towards fees.

A single application form (PR1) is used for applying for a fee loan, loans for living costs and maintenance grants:

Students can also apply online for a fee loan via the Student Finance Northern Ireland website (www.studentfinanceni.co.uk).

Education and Library Boards will send the student a Support Notification which will include details of the amount of fee loan the student has requested. Students must bring this documentation when enrolling at the College.

Part-time Students

In the majority of cases the part-time modular fee is £209.

Payment Methods

Students who do not avail of the fee loan can pay their fees in one of two ways:

Direct Debit – students can complete a direct debit authorisation which spreads the fee due over six months from November to April.
Cash or Cheque – students who do not complete a direct debit authorisation will receive one invoice in November for the full amount payable.

EU Students

EU students, including students from the Republic of Ireland, can defer their fees by applying for a fee loan up to maximum of £1,255. EU students should contact the European Team of the SLC in Darlington for advice. For maintenance support EU students should contact their local county council.

Student Withdrawals

The College policy on tuition fee liability is as follows:

• Students withdrawing on or before 30th November will have their fees cancelled and a refund issued if appropriate.
• Students withdrawing between 1st December and 28th February are liable to 50% of the full fee.
• Students withdrawing from 1st March must pay the full fee for the year.

The College requires formal notification of withdrawal on the appropriate withdrawal form.

Tuition Fee Regulations

Any student who has not paid an account for fees to the College will not receive the certificate for any degree, diploma or other qualification awarded by the College until all outstanding debts have been cleared.

For debts over 90 days a letter warning students that disciplinary action will be taken within 7 days if payment is not made will be issued. Where payment is not made within this period, disciplinary action which may lead to suspension will be initiated.

Continuing students who have not cleared their fee account will be prevented from re-enrolling at the College and from using any of the College facilities.

Where tuition fees have not been paid by the end of the academic year a file will be passed to the College solicitor. The College solicitor will be instructed to take appropriate action to recover the outstanding fees. Where fees remain unpaid three months after an individual has ceased to be a registered student of the College, legal action will normally be initiated.

Higher Education Bursary

Continuing students may apply for a HE Bursary using the same application used when applying for Tuition Fee support from their ELB, by signing the appropriate declaration on their application form.

HE Bursaries unlike student loans are non-repayable but subject to satisfactory progress, attendance and conduct. HE Bursaries are means-tested and subject to proof of income.

HE Bursaries are distributed in three instalments that coincide with respective terms and are issued by BACs.

Student Loans

Students may apply for a student loan to cover living costs through their Education and Library Board using the PR1 form. Student Loans are paid in three instalments by credit transfer directly into students’ bank accounts.

Student Support Funds

Each year an amount is made available to the College to provide help to students who have serious financial difficulties or who might not otherwise be able to afford to enter higher education.

Student Support Funds are available to full-time students, and part-time students studying at least 50% of a full-time course. To qualify, students must meet the same residence conditions as for Student Loans and be following an undergraduate or postgraduate course.

To qualify for a grant from Student Support Funds students must be able to show that they need financial assistance and that they have explored other ways of supporting themselves including having taken out the maximum amount of Student Loan available.

Applications should be made through the Bursar’s Office.