If you're worried about the cost of higher education, there are a range of finance options available when studying at Sunderland College. These range from tuition fee loans, which you only have to repay when you earn a certain amount, to grants, which you don't have to pay back.
*Please note, all support is subject to eligibility.
As a full-time or part-time higher education student at Sunderland College you don't have to pay any tuition fees up front.
Instead, you can take out a tuition fee loan from Student Loans Company. This loan will only need to be paid back once you've completed your course and only when you start earning over £27,295* a year (*2022/23).
You can find out more information about applying for a Higher Education student loan on the Student Loans Company website.
A Maintenance Loan is available to all Higher Education (HE) full and part-time students (UK and EU) from Student Finance England and can be used to help with living cost expenses associated with studying including books, equipment, uniforms and trips.
The loan is paid directly to your bank account at the start of term and and you will have to pay the loan back. The amount available to you will depend on household income, where you study, how long you are studying for and where you live.
If you have any queries with a student finance application, you can book an in person or teams' session with one of our team who will be happy to support you. Contact fees@educationpartnershipne.ac.uk for more information.
You may be eligible for a travel pass, or support with travel costs, up to a maximum of £60 a month if you meet one of the following criteria:
Public transport
Public transport support is based on the Get around for £1 scheme (you must be under 21) and will be calculated as follows:
Cost of bus times Number of days in college. This is then divided across 10 months of term time.
Private transport
We pay £0.30 per mile to and from campus, up to a £60 maximum monthly payment.
Students who are aged 20 or above at the start of their course can apply for support with childcare costs directly through Sunderland College.
Those students who are applying for an Advanced Learner Loan must have this approved by Student Loans Company (SLC) to be eligible for help with childcare costs.
For students aged 20 and above at the start of your course, you should apply for Childcare* through the College by either collecting a Childcare Care Request form from our Student Welfare team or by downloading the form.
When kit or equipment is essential to the course, support will be provided to cover costs for students with a household income under £30,000.
Devices such as laptops and headphones for study are available to borrow from our Future Ready Hubs to use for studying.
For more information, click here.
If student is in significant financial hardship, they can complete a Hardship Request form for anything that is causing a barrier to learning. These are based on household income and looked at individually.
We have experienced staff available who can talk you through studying if you are unemployed. Advice is available about the fee remission policy, hours of study, clarification of the Jobseekers' Allowance regulations, and we can also give guidance on the possible effects of studying whilst on a disability benefit.
If you're struggling due to your financial circumstances or have any questions about what support you may be eligible for, please speak to a member of the Finance Support team by emailing welfare@educationpartnershipne.ac.uk.
