KAE Fees Policy 2018-19
To be reviewed: April 2019
To be reviewed by: Finance & HR Link Manager
To be approved by: SMT & Finance & General Purpose Governors
Contents
Pages
3.PolicyObjectives
4. Fee Structure
5.Advanced Learning Loans
6.Fee Remission and Concessions
7. Examination and Registration Fees
8.Paying by Instalments
9. Transfers
10.2018-19 Course Fee Structure
FEES POLICY 2018-19
Policy Objectives
The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework within which Kingston Adult Education Service (KAE) will set fees. The policy also sets a framework for ensuring that comprehensive guidance and information regarding subsidised fees for courses is available and accessible to customers and learners, staff and Governors.
KAE aims for transparency on price and contributions required by the learner and to implement a fair and inclusive system. Where possible, KAE aims to provide support with fees for those learners who face financial hardship and to provide access to financial options which helps them to invest in their learning.
The policy has been written in accordance with Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funding rules and guidance.
Approval of Fees Policy
The fees policy and any subsequent amendments to this policy will require the approval of the Senior Management Team (SMT) or the Finance & General Purpose Board of Governors. The policy will be reviewed annually and any changes recommended will be referred for approval, to the SMT or Finance & General Purpose Board of Governors.
Fee Structure
The tuition fee structure for 2018-19is listed on page 10. Fees for courses published in the prospectus will also include any supplementary fees such as, registration fee, materials fees and exam fees, where applicable to the course. Any additional costs not included in the course fee will be listed in the course outline (e.g. clay for ceramics course, which is sold to learners during the course).
Advanced Learner Loans
Adult Learners aged 19+ studying at Level 3 or above are able to apply to the Student Loans Company for an Advanced Learner Loan for approved ESFA courses. Loans may be used to fund vocational courses at KAE and should be discussed with the Course Manager or Engagement Officer.
The loan will be paid directly to KAE by the Student Loans Company. If the learner decides to apply for a loan, KAE must supply information through a KAE Learning and Funding Information Letter to assist the learner in making the loans application. The Learning and Funding Information Letter, required to complete the application to the Student Loans Company, is currently available from the Course Manager and will include the following information:
UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN)
Learning aim reference number
Learning aim title
Learning aim start /end date
Fee charged to the learner
The maximum amount of loan available for the learning aim is the funding rate published by the Education & Skills Funding Agency or the fees advertised, whichever is lesser.
Liability for the loan will be incurred by the learner after the learner has attended their course for 2 weeks and on a monthly basis thereafter. If a learner is funded using the Advanced Learner Loan, they must sign an agreement at the time of their enrolment to confirm that if they withdraw from their course of study for any reason after the initial two weeks liability period, they will be liable to pay the balance of the fees for the academic year that is no longer covered by their student loan.
Targeted Community Learning Provision Run in Partnerships
This relates to fees paid to KAE for running courses in partnerships with other organisations. The manager for community learning is responsible for negotiating these with the partner. Where courses are delivered by partners on behalf of KAE, KAE will agree with the partner whether KAE or the partner will collect fees and the two parties will account between each other for the fees collected.
Fee Remission and Concessions
For 2018-19 the ESFA will continue to consider the following groups of learners to be eligible for full fee remission:
Learners aged 16-18 in start year of programme and on a qualification that is funded by the ESFA
Learners aged 19-24 in start year of programme with an EHCP and on a qualification that is funded by the ESFA
Adults taking specific English and Maths qualifications (excluding ESOL)
Unemployed adults studying ESOL up to Level 2
Adults in receipt of specific income related benefits (JSA/ESA-WRAG) studying up to level 2
Eligible adults aged 19-23 taking their first full level 2 qualifications (as part of the legal entitlement offer)
Eligible adults aged 19-23 taking their first full level 3 qualifications (as part of the legal entitlement offer)
Any other concessions, unpublished at the date of this policy, as may be granted by the ESFA in due course
Fee Concessions
A 40% discount on tuition fees is available on all courses,with a code ending with a P or C, for learners on any of the following income based benefits:
Job Seeker’s Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (income-based)
Income Support benefit
Universal credit
Disabled persons Tax Credit (where your annual income falls below £19,000)
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Benefit (not single occupancy discount)
Working Tax Credit (where your annual income falls below £19,000)
Pension Guarantee Credit
Carer’s allowance
Dependent of someone on the above listed benefits
Learners will be required to provide relevant documentation as evidence.
Early Booking Discount
Learners enrolling and paying for their course, before 1st August 2018,will receive a 5% early booking discount on the total cost of the course for course codes ending with a P or C. This discount cannot be claimed in addition to any other concession.
StaffDiscount
There will be a 25% discount for all KAE staff on the full cost of the course, offered by KAE. Staff are eligible for this discount after completing their first full year of service and the discount is only available for one course in an academic year.
RBK Employees
RBK employees are eligible to receive a discount of 10% off KAE courses on production of evidence of employment at RBK.
New Full Cost Recovery (FCR) Courses at Twilight Hours (3.30pm-6.30pm)
A 20% discount will be offered to leaners joining new FCR courses scheduled during twilight hoursto allow new courses to attract learners and embed into the curriculum offer.
Korean Cultural Courses
These courses are run in partnership with the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC). Tutor costs are paid for by the Korean Cultural Centre. Course fees are agreed with KCC.
Non-Eligible Learners
Learners who do not meet the eligibility criteria of being a home student, as per the ESFA funding rules, will be charged double the tuition fee plus the standard admin fee and any supplementary/exam/accreditation costs.
Examination and Registration Fees
For any exams, or registration for qualifications based on assignments, fees consist of two elements: the charge set by the awarding body and the admin cost incurred by KAE.
Admin cost depends on the requirements of individual qualifications and include (where appropriate) setting up exams and assessments, booking invigilators, speaking examiners or specialist tutors, marking and verification of work (unless done externally), secure postage of exam materials, etc.
Exam and Registration fees are not refundable, unless in specific circumstances. These include medical reasons or bereavement and require written evidence. Learners should contact the Exams Officer to discuss any refund requests.
If a learner misses or fails an exam in the first attempt, a new exam fee is payable for a re-sit entry in the next available session. In this instance learners will normally be charged the cost of the examination plus the associated administration costs.
Paying fees by Instalments
Learners can pay by instalment for courses which cost more than £120 and run for over 8 weeks. Learners must enrol in person and pay the first £80 of the course fee. The balance will be paid by Direct Debit. The direct debit payments will be the balance of the course fee split into equal monthly instalments, over the length of the course. For example, if the course is for 6 months and the tuition fee is £400, the instalment fee will be £80 initial payment, then a monthly payment of £64 over five months.
Learners who wish to pay for more than one course by instalment must pay a £80 first instalment fee per course.
If a learner cancels the direct debit arrangement, before the full fee has been paid, an invoice will be issued immediately for the outstanding balance.
Sanctions against non-payment of fees
Learner will not be re-enrolled on any further courses
No refund will be given to a learner in debt with KAE
Learner will be not allowed to continue the course until the debt is paid
Transfers
A learner will be able to transfer from one course to another only if the course tutor advises that a transfer to another course is more suited to their learning needs within KAE. The learner will be liable to pay any additional fees relating to the new course.
In all other circumstances transfers will only be available prior to the start of the course. If a learner transfers to a course that is of less value they will be refunded the difference after a deduction of £15 administration fee. All transfers which are made at the request of the learner will attract a £15 transfer fee. Payment for a course cannot be transferred to another person i.e. if a learner is unable to attend the course and they are not due a refund, the course fees cannot be transferred to another person at their request.
Waiting List
Where learners wish to enrol on a course and places are already full they should be offered the option to be placed on a waiting list. If a space becomes available they can be offered a place at a pro-rata rate based on the remaining number of weeks on the course plus any supplementary and admin fees.
Late Enrolments
Where a course has already started and places are still available enquiries should be passed to the curriculum manager who will be able to confirm the possibility of joining part way through the course.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this policy is accurate as possible.
KAE reserves the right to cancel any course or change its charging policy where its costs may result in financial loss; cancel any course where there is lack of appropriate resources; and/or refuse entry to a course on any non-discriminatory grounds.
Course Fee Schedule 2018-19
A £13.00 registration & photocopying fee applies to all courses unless they are free to the learner. All fees are to be rounded up to the next nearest £.
Type / Bandings / Tuition fee per hour -2018/19 / NotesAdult Education Budget / English & Maths including GCSE & all unemployed ESOL, ECDL learners on benefits / Free / Government priority to ensure everyone achieves a minimum of English and Maths at Level 2and skills to get into work
ESOL / £4.00
All accredited provision up to L2 excluding those listed above / £5.50 / ECDL, Level 2 childcare
Community learning / Targeted Community Learning including Family Learning & lip reading / £2 per hour where chargeable
Follow on from PIFHL and Wellbeing Courses / £5.00 / PIFHL is free - follow on Wellbeing courses are £5 per session per week
Learners with learning difficulties - price per session / £5.00
(per session) / LDD courses are charged on a 'pay as you go' basis and their contribution goes towards the cost of the resources used and contribution to running costs
Targeted Community Learning (£+) / £5.50 / Health & fitness courses
Non-government Funded / Private (FCR) courses / £9.00 / All courses other than that above
New Private(FCR) courses at Twilight sessions / £7.00 / Reduced fee to support launch of new course, attract new learnersmaximise use of rooms outside of core hours. Twilight sessions are 3.30pm-6.30pm.
Korean Cultural Centre Partnership Courses / £5.00 / Tutor costs are met by Korean Cultural Centre
Level 3 and 4 provision for learners aged 19 or older / Various / Fees to match funding value on SAM, Advanced Learner Loans available
Untutored / £3.10 / Untutored sessions
1 Day Courses / £9.00
Registration, admin & photocopying fee per course applies to all programmes / £13.00 / Standard charge per course for all learners except activities for adults with LDD, Wellbeing and Korean Culture courses
Refund admin charge / £20.00
Transfer admin charge / £15.00
Community provision- maximum contribution per glh / £45.00 / Contribution from partners for targeted community learning
Business training - minimum hourly rate / £60.00
Room Hire / £30.00 / Hourly Rate for Room Hire at KCC