Prospectus

fees & finance

Fees & Finance at Plumpton College

Whether you’re looking to take your first steps into education or you’re looking to add to your current skills, fees & finance can be a pretty daunting subject.

We’ve pulled together this guide which outlines on the costs involved and the support available to you:

Need more help?

If you’d like any help or information, please do contact our finance team by emailing us, phoning us, or by joining us at one of our Open Events.

enquiries@plumpton.ac.uk

01273 890454

Material Fees

Material fees apply only to Floristry, Blacksmithing & Metalwork, Land-Based Engineering and Motor Vehicle students.

As a College, we invest in the highest quality resources and equipment for your studies, for which we have to charge a proportion of this cost to students / parents / guardians to ensure we continue to offer the best possible experience. It also ensures our running of these courses remains financially viable.

To find out material fees for your course, visit your course page:

Explore our courses

Applying for a Bursary at Plumpton College

We’ve made it easier than ever to apply for and manage your bursary at Plumpton College through our new online system, Applicaa.   

Please Note: Higher Education bursaries & funding are not processed through Applicaa (please see below for more information).

For new students

You’ll need to create an Applicaa account to start your bursary application. The portal will guide you through each step, from submitting your details to uploading supporting documents.

For returning students

You will need to log in to your existing Applicaa account. Once logged in, review and agree to the updated terms and conditions, and make sure your personal details are correct.

Bursary Portal (Applicaa)

What can a bursary help me with at College?

Starting a course is a financial commitment. At Plumpton College, our bursaries are designed to help students facing financial hardship with costs such as:

  •  College bus travel
  • Course materials and specialist PPE clothing
  • College Accommodation
  • Meals (FE 16-19) and a course related educational trip
  • Facility fee

Short course students are generally not eligible for bursary support. The listed course fee will be the full amount payable.

Apply via our Bursary Portal

Bursary Frequently Asked Questions

Bursaries are money given directly to the college by the Government or funding directly from the college to help students who face financial hardship in continuing further education. All students can apply, and if the bursary eligibility and criteria is met, then a bursary can possibly help with the following:

  • Bus travel
  • Accommodation
  • Course equipment/kit
  • College meals
  • Educational trips

If you have a student loan, i.e. Advanced Learner Loan or student finance for University Courses, there could also be a possibility of assistance from the college in the form of a hardship fund, having first secured the loan.

  • Assessment is made on the total household income from the student’s parent/carer or guardian, mainly financially responsible for the student and with whom they live.
  • If the student lives with a spouse or partner – the household income of the both will be assessed. We will look at the student’s income only if the student lives independently and supports themselves.

  • You must provide the full household income to be assessed, whether through salary and/or benefits per year. All taxable earnings, income and benefits are considered.
  • For example, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independent Payment, and Carers Allowance are not considered, but evidence must be provided. Universal Credit and Tax Credit payments are counted; all evidence must be provided.

  • The household income must be £30,000 (before tax) per year or less whether through salary and/or benefits.
  • For assistance with accommodation, a total household income of £50,000 (before tax), per year or less whether through salary and/or benefits.

  • We encourage all prospective and returning students who think they might be eligible to apply for assistance to complete and submit their bursary application form during the Spring/Summer term so that their application can be assessed before the start of the term.
  • Early applications will help us ensure that any assistance awarded can be put in place as close as possible to the start of the course.
  • Applications can be made throughout the year.
  • Guidance notes and application forms are available to fill in via the college website.

  • Applicants will be notified in writing via email of how much has been allocated within the categories they have applied for help with.
  • Awards will be made via BACS or paid in kind where possible.
  • Applications will be judged on individual needs outlined in the Education and Skills Funding Agency guidelines.
  • The amount awarded will be specific to each application.

This is done through the Applicaa online portal found here.

How to Guide

Facilities Fee

A facility fee contribution is payable by all students.

  • For full time students: £150
  • Please note: the facilities fee is not covered by any bursary awarded.
What does the facility fee cover?

The facility fee covers:

  • Unlimited WiFi and broadband for personal use
  • Students use of sports amenities
  • Car parking facilities
  • Security, minibuses, on site medical care, free lockers for use
  • Student safeguarding and counselling onsite and online
  • Online infastructure for remote learning
How do I pay my facilities fee?

Payment for the facility fee should be made before you start your course on our online shop.

Payment Plans

We offer deferred payment schemes on an individual basis. Please contact the Finance Team to discuss if this applies to you.

Making Payments Online

Secure, reliable and easy to use, the e-payment gateway allows you to pay outstanding charges for tuition, accommodation and commercial services and pay for trips or bus tickets along with many other items.

If you have any questions regarding payment our Finance Team can help. 

Please contact finance on 01273 890 454 or email onlinepayments@plumpton.ac.uk

Student Accommodation

Pay your room confirmation payment and the balance in installments by setting up a Recurring Card Payment (RCP).

You will need to provide your student ID and date of birth to validate your account.

Student Invoices

Pay student invoices.

You will need to provide your student ID and date of birth to validate your account.

Bus Tickets

Buy your bus tickets

Plumpton Wine

Plumpton Estate Wines

Donations

Plumpton College Charitable Foundation

Higher Education Finance

Student Finance England provides financial support for students entering higher and postgraduate education in the UK, on behalf of the Government.

You may be able to borrow to help you with the cost of living whilst at university, for example, day-to-day expenses, such as accommodation, travel, food and utility bills.

I am a new student

The quickest and easiest way to apply is online at www.gov.uk/studentfinance as soon as the application service opens.

1. Set up a Student Finance account

When you register you’ll be given a unique Customer Reference Number and be asked to create a password and secret answer. You should keep these safe as you’ll need them to log into your account to check the progress of your application and reapply for student finance next year.

2. Fill in and submit your application

The first time you apply you’ll be asked for proof of identity. You can easily do this by giving Student Finance England your valid UK passport details. If you don’t have a UK passport, you may have to send evidence.

If you want to apply for student finance that depends on your household income, your parents or partner will be asked for their National Insurance Number and their personal income details.

3. Send any required evidence

Student Finance England may contact you, or your parents/partner to ask for evidence to support your application.

If you’ve had no contact with your parents for over a year, you might be able to apply as an ‘independent student’.

I am a continuing student

To reapply for student finance, log into your Student Finance account and apply online as soon as the application service opens.

If you’re applying for the first time register for an account.

Student Finance England

Tuition Fees

Please note: this information only applies to Further Education students. If you are a higher education student, visit the Higher Education Finance section of this page.

If you’re aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year when you start your full-time course, then there are NO course tuition fees payable. 

Studying at Level 1 & 2 or first Level 3

For full time students aged 19 or over on 31st August in the year when you start your full-time course, there will be tuition fees. The fees payable are dependent on the course you are studying. 

Tuition fee remission (whereby the Government pays the tuition fee and assessment fee) is available to students who are aged 19 and over at the time the course begins and for which any of the following applies:

  • Students  aged 19+ unemployed and in receipt of JSA (Jobseekers Allowance) or Work Related ESA (Employment Support Allowance): FREE up to and including first Level 3 courses for students aged 19-23
  • Students aged 19+ unemployed and in receipt of a means-tested state benefit looking to enter employment: FREE up to and including first Level 3 courses for students aged 19-23
  • Students aged 19-23 who enrol on their first full Level 2 course: FREE
  • Students aged 19-23 who enrol on their first full Level 3 course: FREE
  • Students aged 19+, on a low income who can prove they earn less than £26,800 or are unemployed and receive state benefits, could be entitled to a tuition fee waiver for this course. Students must be ordinarily resident in the UK and not living in a devolved area.
  • Students aged 24 and earning above the threshold may apply for an Advanced Learner Loan for full Level 3 courses.

If you’re being supported by your employer or a sponsor, you’ll need to provide a letter of authorisation at enrolment.

If you are aged 19-23, believe that you qualify for fee remission and would like to discuss this further, please call our Enquiries Team on 01273 890454 or email enquiries@plumpton.ac.uk.

Tuition fees vary based on your programme of study. These fees do not include Plumpton College facilities, materials and assessment fees, which will be charged separately. 

You can apply for a loan via the Advanced Learner Loan scheme to pay your course fee.

If you’re under 24 and haven’t previously studied at Level 3, no fees are payable.

Other Potential Sources of Funding for Plumpton Students

Below is a list of organisations offering financial support – many are industry specific. We recommend that you research their websites and follow the application process for each individual organisation.

The Lewes Exhibition Fund

  • The Chartered Institute of Horticulture
    For students in the horticultural sector
  • Helen Kennedy Foundation
    HKF provides support of up to £2,250 to students whose personal and financial circumstances make progression to higher education difficult. They have two awards for a higher level apprenticeship in agriculture, and three awards for students wanting to progress to a land based degree.
  • Professional Gardeners Trust
    The Professional Gardeners’ Trust funds training and education for gardeners (including apprentices), providing them with the opportunity to acquire skills and qualifications which benefit the industry.
  • Studley College Trust
    The Studley College Trust encourages education and research in land based subjects by financially assisting young people who wish to pursue a career in one of these areas but are restricted by financial constraints. It contributes towards the cost of accommodation, study materials, exam fees and study trips.