Financial Support
for Higher Education students
There are a range of financial support options available to students at Southport College University Centre including student finance for tuition and living expenses and, for eligible students, help with childcare for parents and assistance those with adult dependents.
For 2022-23 your support needs will be assessed through our new portal Details of this will be sent out to you just before the very start of term.
Support for all
If you need to discuss financial support at any time you can talk to our Student Guidance Team by calling 01704 392704 or
emailing guidance@southport.ac.uk.
Financial Information for Students
Students applying for courses at either Southport College University Centre or Southport College are required to pay their tuition fees in full before the course commences. Assistance may be available for certain students, please contact Student Guidance to check your eligibility.
Additional Financial Support
Some students may be entitled to access additional financial support such as Childcare Grants, Parents’ Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants’ Grant, Child Tax Credit and/or Disabled Students’ Allowance. Students can use the calculator on the Student Finance website to determine eligibility and can find additional help and support from University Centre Southport’s Student Guidance team.
Additional course costs
Some of our HE courses may carry materials, residential or additional miscellaneous fees. Additional information will be provided during interview, if you are applying to study on such a course.
Art Foundation Level 4 course
Students who are 18 when enrolling on the course will not be required to pay tuition fees. Students aged 19 or over will be required to pay the tuition fee and can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost. Repayments don’t start until you earn £21,000 and, if you undertake and successfully complete a Higher Education programme, the outstanding amount of Advanced Learner Loan debt is written off!
Advanced Learner Loan for Non-HE courses
Advanced Learner Loans have been introduced for learners aged 19 or over who are studying at Level 3 and above on a none HE programme that started on or after 1st August 2016. Advanced Learner Loans will cover the cost of tuition fees, so students don’t have to pay up front. Interest on the loans is low and your household income isn’t taken into account. Repayments don’t start until you earn £21,000 and, if you then undertake and successfully complete a Higher Education programme, the outstanding amount of Advanced Learner Loan debt is written off!
Payment of Course Fees
Students of any age studying on a Higher Education course, including the PGCE, can apply for funding via the student loan system but Southport College University Centre will require proof of the loan being in place before a student can enrol on their programme of choice. Southport College University Centre accepts a range of payment methods for higher level course tuition fees. Typically these are full payment without a loan, an invoice from an employer confirming they will pay the fee or payment via the student loan system.
You will find our course fees on individual course leaflet pages, however, in general, fees for full-time courses are usually £6,165 per annum and £3,225 for a part-time course.
Support with Living Costs and More
The tuition loan is there to pay your course fees; however, you may also want to take out a maintenance loan to support your living costs if you’re a full-time student.
The maintenance loan can help fund extra costs associated with studying full-time such as accommodation, food and general living costs. You may have to submit information about your household income when you apply.
Disabled Students Allowance
DSA is a grant to help pay for additional equipment and support needed as a result of disability, ongoing health condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.
The allowance can help with the cost of a non-medical helper, specialist equipment, the cost of extra travel and other course related items.
To find out if you qualify and how to apply, please contact The Student Guidance Centre. We advise that you apply early if you think you are eligible as the process can take a couple of months to complete.
Find out more about this in our Learning Support section.
Student Information Centre
Call now
Term time
Monday 8.15am – 5pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8.15am- 7.00pm
Friday 8.15am – 5pm
Non-Term time
Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 5pm
Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
What to expect as a student
Learning Support
Learning support for Higher Education students is funded through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) which is a grant to help pay for additional equipment and support needed as a result of disability, ongoing health condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.
Careers & Employability
When you study at Southport College University Centre you are studying for a qualification that gets you ready for work. Because the courses we offer are vocational you gain the skills employers want as well as the theory that underpins them.
Personal Support
If you need support at any point during your time with us you can speak to your tutor, the HE Quality and Support Officer or the Student Information Centre team who can refer you to personal support services.
