Financing Your Studies

You’ll be pleased to know that many of our adult courses are free for eligible learners. In fact, even those that aren’t free are still competitively priced to ensure that there’s nothing to stand in the way of you returning to education.

You can even pay in instalments and via direct debit.  The first payment will typically be required at enrolment, but you can then spread your payments over the next six months.

The fees and eligibility criteria are shown alongside on each course page. You may be eligible for a FREE course if you are:

• Unemployed and in receipt of an income-based benefit (for example JSA, ESA or Universal Credit)
• A GM resident, employed and earning below the government’s threshold
• A non devolved area resident, employed and earning less than the governments threshold
• Aged 19-23 and studying for your first full Level 2 qualification on an eligible course*
• Aged 19-23 and studying for your first full Level 3 qualification on an eligible course*
• GCSE English and Maths and Functional Skills are FREE if you have not achieved a grade C/Level 4 or above)

Low Wage Waiver

If you live in Greater Manchester and earn less than £20,888, or if you live outside of Greater Manchester and earn less than £18,525, then you could potentially be eligible to have your course fees waived.

Where possible we’ll always work to make sure that as many of our courses as possible are fully funded so that you can take advantage of the opportunity to gain important new qualifications.

Advanced Learner Loans

If you are aged 19 or over, studying at Level 3 or above and don’t meet the eligibility criteria to get your course funded, then you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

These loans are to help cover the cost of your studies. They are not dependent on your income and do not affect any benefits you may receive.

It’s easy to apply and you will only start making repayments when your income is more than £27,295.

Discretionary Bursaries

In the event that you don’t meet eligibility criteria to get your course for free, you might still be able to accessing financial support through a discretionary bursary with is provided through the Adult Support Fund.

This will depend on your individual circumstances if you’re applying from a household where the total income is less than £25,000.

The bursary can be used towards the cost of:

• Childcare
• Books
• Stationery
• Trips

Guaranteed Bursary Scheme

Subject to eligibility, depends on employment. For more details, please email enquiries@hopwood.ac.uk.