If you have any of these statuses, this information will help you understand your further education options.
I have;
-Discretionary leave to enter or remain
-Exceptional leave to enter or remain
-Leave outside the rules
-Ukraine Family Scheme
-Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)
The husband, wife, civil partner or child of anyone with the above immigration status
-Section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 leave
-Calais leave to remain
-British Nationals evacuated from Afghanistan under Operation Pitting
-British Nationals evacuated from Afghanistan by the UK government before 6 January 2022
As someone with any of these statuses, can I apply to go to college or sixth form?
Yes, if you have any of the above statuses you are allowed to study at FE college or sixth form.
How can I pay for college or sixth form?
Most first entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2 courses are free regardless of your age and immigration status, however, you will still need to be assessed for eligibility for example, if it is your first full level qualification, proof of income/employment or evidence of receiving support. There are also some courses you may have to pay for. See the age categories below.
With these statuses, you will be eligible to receive funding and are exempt from the 3-year residency requirement rule. This is true as soon as you receive your status.
If you are told that you need to have been living in the UK for three years, please contact us here.
Here's more information
Click here to return to our main Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for more information about further education
Contact us for advice and guidance
Click here to find out how REUK's Educational Progression team can help you reach university through advice, guidance, workshops and funding opportunities
Education Workshops
If you want to learn more about your education options in the UK, you can attend a workshop. The workshop explains how education works and your possible routes through the system.
16-18 year-olds
19-23 year-olds
24 or above
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The government will pay for any course you want to study at college if you are 18 or under when you start the course.
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Some colleges may charge you a small fee to cover their costs (such as materials, trips, printing, internet access). Speak to the college hardship-fund coordinator to explore the available financial support to cover these extra costs.
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The government will pay for your course if you are studying functional skills, english or maths (from entry level up to level 2) and GCSE english and maths if you have not previously gained GCSE grade 4 or above (previously A*-C).
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The government will pay for your first full qualification up to level 2 if it is an approved course (see below).
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Students with any of the above forms of Leave, aged between 19 and 23, can study their first full Level 3 qualification (for example A-levels or an access course) for free.
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If you have already achieved a Level 3 qualification you will be required to pay for your second qualification. In this case, you should apply for a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to help pay for your course. The loan is only repayable once you get into employment and earn over £26,575 per year. Furthermore, If you complete a Higher Education degree following your Level 3 course, you do not have to pay back your advanced learner loan. You must have been a resident in the UK/EU/EEA for the past 3 years on 31 August of the academic year to be eligible for this loan.
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The government will pay for your course if you are studying functional skills english or maths (from entry level up to level 2) and GCSE english and maths if you have not previously gained grade 4 or above (previously A*-C).
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The government may pay for your first full qualification at level 2 if you are unemployed, on a low income, or receive support from your Local Authority.
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If you are 24+ and want to study a Level 3 course or above. As someone with one of the above types of Leave, you are eligible to apply for the Government’s 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to help pay for your course. The loan is only repayable once you get into employment and earn over £26,575 per year. Furthermore, If you complete a Higher Education degree following your Level 3 course, you do not have to pay back your advanced learner loan. You must have been a resident in the UK/EU/EEA for the past 3 years on 31 August of the academic year to be eligible for this loan.
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Top tip: Evidence of the support you receive is essential. Be ready to provide original copies on your college enrollment day.
2. Self-funding
3. LAC or Care leaver support
4.Scholarships and educational grants
Students with the above types of leave have the right to work and can earn money to pay for further education studies. Many colleges offer part-time and evening courses that allow you to work and study. It is important to remember that further education colleges are very strict and will require a good attendance record for a student to graduate.
If you are in care or a care leaver make sure you let the college know because they may charge you less fees.
If you are in care or a care leaver you can apply for a 16-19 bursary to help with any costs that you have from going to college. This bursary is worth up to £1200 per year. If your course is shorter than a full academic year, the bursary will be offered to you on a pro-rata basis.
You should also talk to your Personal Advisor for information about additional care leaver support for young people in education. Local councils often have a range of financial support for young people who stay in education and training.
Some charities also offer scholarships and bursaries to learners from a forced migration background who are struggling to pay for their course.
Here is a list of education grant providers that you can apply to. Not all the suggestions on this list will be suitable for everyone so make sure you look at the criteria for the different charities (i.e. some may only fund people of particular ages, particular religions, studying particular subjects, with particular immigration status etc).
Other FAQ's for students who have the above statuses
Provision (above statuses)
1. Government funding
The UK government funds some courses depending on your age. Please refer to the government contribution table below for the ESFA funded Adult education budget (and for 16-18) funding for more details about which provision is funded.
16-18 year-olds
24+ unemployed
19-23
year-olds
Learning 3 courses for jobs
Level 3 legal entitlement (learners first full Level)
Learning aims to progress to a full Level 2 up to and including Level 1
First full Level 2 (excluding English and Maths and Digital)
Essential Digital Skills Qualifications up to and including Level 1
English and Maths, up to and including level 2
Fully funded
Fully funded
N/A
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Fully funded
Some are fully funded, others are co- funded. See note to the right and below for scholarships and bursaries.
Fully funded
Fully funded
N/A. Loan funded. (If ineligible for a loan, see below for scholarships and bursaries)
Legal entitlement: *Not all courses are in scope to receive full funding. Some commercial and training courses offered by colleges are not funded by the government, in that case, you will be required to pay full course fees. This can be confusing as they often have similar names to fully funded courses. Be aware of this and ask the college if you are unsure of what you will pay on enrolment day.
Use this tool if you would like to know which courses are funded by the government. This can be discussed further with your college admissions team on enrollment day.
Notes
Notes
Must be delivered as part of the legal entitlement qualifications
Must be delivered as part of the legal entitlement qualifications list
Must be delivered as part of the Digital legal entitlement qualifications list
Must be delivered as part of the legal entitlement qualifications list
First full Level 2 must be delivered as part of the legal entitlement qualifications. Level 2 provision from the local flexibility offer will not be funded for 19-23-year-olds who do not have a first full Level 2
Fully funded for those eligible through unemployed or on a low wage. Co-funded for those who do not meet the definition of unemployed or do not meet the eligibility criteria for low wage.
Must be delivered as entry or Level 1 provision from local flexibility
Fully funded for those eligible through unemployed or on a low wage. Co-funded for those who do not meet the definition of unemployed or do not meet the eligibility criteria for low wage.
First full Level 3 must be delivered as part of the legal entitlement qualifications
All 24+ learners who are not eligible for the level 3 courses for jobs must refer to Advanced Learner Loans
Learners without a full Level 3 or above can access a qualification on the Level 3 courses for jobs qualification list
Learners without a full level 3 or above accessing a qualification on the level 3 courses for jobs qualifications list
ESOL learning up to and including Level 2
Learning aims up to and including Level 2, where the learner has already achieved a first full Level 2, or above
Fully funded
Some are fully funded, others are co- funded. See note to the right and below for scholarships and bursaries.
Fully funded for those eligible through unemployed or on a low wage. Co-funded for those who do not meet the definition of unemployed or do not meet the eligibility criteria for low wage.
Some are fully funded, others are co- funded. See note to the right and below for scholarships and bursaries.
Fully funded for those eligible through unemployed. Co-funded for those who do not meet the definition of unemployed or do not meet the eligibility criteria for low wage.
Fully funded
Some are fully funded, others are co- funded. See note to the right and below for scholarships and bursaries.
Fully funded for those eligible through unemployed. Co-funded for those who do not meet the definition of unemployed or do not meet the eligibility criteria for low wage.
Some are fully funded, others are co- funded. See note to the right and below for scholarships and bursaries.
Fully funded for those eligible through unemployed or on a low wage. Co-funded for those who do not meet the definition of unemployed or do not meet the eligibility criteria for low wage.
Source: ESFA funded adult education budget (AEB): funding and performance management rules 2021 to 2022
Important information
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Some colleges may charge you a small fee to cover costs such as materials, trips, printing, internet access. Speak to the college hardship-fund coordinator to explore the available financial support to cover these extra costs.
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If you have been told that you have to pay for your course, get in touch with us or click here for a list of charities you can apply to for funding for your studies.
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Evidence of the support you receive is essential. Be ready to provide original copies on your college enrollment day. As above - link to enrolment section.
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Courses that are funded by the government change every year, prioritises seem to be given to courses that lead more directly into employment. The government publishes a list of these courses each year, so you should first speak to the student services department at college to see whether your course is funded and/or use this search function to check for yourself.
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Some courses offered by colleges are not funded by the government (not part of the legal entitlement), in which case, you will have to pay full course fees. It is important to check in advance whether you will have to pay for the course you want to study. It is worth looking at different colleges because similar courses will be free at one college and not at another.
1. Government funding
Please refer to the government contribution table below for the ESFA funded Adult education budget (and for 16-18) funding for more details about which provision is funded depending on your age.
2. Bursaries and financial support
FE and sixth form colleges often have financial support (sometimes called bursaries) for students who do not have a lot of money. You may be able to apply for this depending on your age, the course you are studying, your college and any other financial support you and your family receive.
You should ask student services at your college if there are any bursaries you can apply for. Some colleges may choose not to charge you any fees or to reduce your fees - it is always worth asking if this is possible.
3. Scholarships and educational grants
Some charities also offer scholarships and bursaries to asylum seekers who are struggling to pay for their course.
Here is a list of education grant providers that you can apply to. Not all the suggestions on this list will be suitable for everyone so make sure you look at the criteria for the different charities (i.e. some may only fund people of particular ages, particular religions, studying particular subjects, with particular immigration status etc).
4. LAC or Care leaver support
If you are in care (ie a looked after child) or a care leaver make sure you let the college know because you may be eligible for a fee waiver.
If you are in care or a care leaver you can apply for a 16-19 bursary to help with any costs that you have from going to college. This bursary is worth up to £1200 per year. If your course is shorter than a full academic year, the bursary will be offered to you on a pro-rata basis.
If you are a care leaver , you should also talk to your Personal Advisor for information about additional care leaver support for young people in education. Local councils often have a range of financial support for young people who stay in education and training.