School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
#16
Re: School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
The education act has changed and he has to be in school until he is 17. The college has just contacted me and they are adamant about the fee. There is another college in the area, we will apply to them too. This now has me wondering about my daughter who is 14, will she be charged for public school?
He was not charged any fees for his course.
#17
Re: School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
Education is free to under age 19 residents. (Thats what the local college told us)
My oldest has to pay for his first year on a BTEC at local college as he's only been here two years (over 19), his second year there will be free as he'll meet the 3 year rule and didn't just come to UK for an education the whole family moved.
I'd try again once you actually move, then you will all be residents and he should be eligible for free to under 19's education.
My oldest has to pay for his first year on a BTEC at local college as he's only been here two years (over 19), his second year there will be free as he'll meet the 3 year rule and didn't just come to UK for an education the whole family moved.
I'd try again once you actually move, then you will all be residents and he should be eligible for free to under 19's education.
#18
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Petawawa, ON
Posts: 257
Re: School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
Thanks Pistolpete2, Spacecake799 and Mummy in the foothills. It's helpful to hear from people who have walked this out. I spoke with the LEA yesterday and they said he is indeed entitled to free education. They are looking into some bits for me and will get back to me on Monday.
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 711
Re: School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
I have the solution for you re the funding question. We've been back almost 2 years with my daughter just completing her GCSE's. She applied to 3 6th form centres all of which accepted her. Anyway we received what I thought was a very off email questioning her funding eligibility as she had stated on her UCAS app for 6th form that she has lived outside of the EU in the last 3 years. Essentially the criteria this one 6th form center used appeared to be the same as how a uni would determine fees eligibility which took me aback as 16 - 19 education should be free for all in the UK.
It appears that that is not strictly the case in some cases but in your case you will be fine. If you get any more trouble refer them to the current EFA guidelines https://www.gov.uk/government/upload..._2015_2016.pdf
According to the EFA funding eligibility guidelines for 16-19 year olds, there are several scenarios whereby students are eligible for EFA funding.
The following section is how your child qualifies for funding and therefore free education in the EFA guidelines:
3. 28. In addition to the groups above, the EFA will also consider the following groups of students (including those who may not have lived in the UK for the last three years) aged up to and including the age of 18 as eligible for funding. a. those who are accompanying or joining parents or spouses or civil partners who have the right of abode or leave to enter or remain in the UK (or accompanying or joining relevant family members, usually parents, who are EEA nationals), or those who are children of diplomats.
It scared me at first when we received the initial e-mail but once I quoted the EFA guidelines to them they backed off.
It appears that that is not strictly the case in some cases but in your case you will be fine. If you get any more trouble refer them to the current EFA guidelines https://www.gov.uk/government/upload..._2015_2016.pdf
According to the EFA funding eligibility guidelines for 16-19 year olds, there are several scenarios whereby students are eligible for EFA funding.
The following section is how your child qualifies for funding and therefore free education in the EFA guidelines:
3. 28. In addition to the groups above, the EFA will also consider the following groups of students (including those who may not have lived in the UK for the last three years) aged up to and including the age of 18 as eligible for funding. a. those who are accompanying or joining parents or spouses or civil partners who have the right of abode or leave to enter or remain in the UK (or accompanying or joining relevant family members, usually parents, who are EEA nationals), or those who are children of diplomats.
It scared me at first when we received the initial e-mail but once I quoted the EFA guidelines to them they backed off.
Last edited by bromleygirl; Jul 18th 2015 at 9:47 pm.
#20
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Petawawa, ON
Posts: 257
Re: School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
EFA - my sister mentioned that. She is a teacher and she is looking into that for me, awesome! Feeling hopeful now :-)
#21
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Petawawa, ON
Posts: 257
Re: School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
Thank you once again Bromleygirl. We mentioned EFA guideline 3:28 to college and yesterday heard the good news that my son has full funding
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: England
Posts: 4,203
Re: School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
Hi,
We moved back to the UK after over 12 years living Australia, when we arrived back in the UK we visited a few colleges in the areas we were interested in living, our son choose the college and then the courses which were and Advanced BTEC, GCSE English, Maths & Science and we did not (nor were we asked) have to pay anything, the colleges knew of our Sons education and where he/we had lived previously (Australia) this was in 2010 things might have changed since then though. Good luck
We moved back to the UK after over 12 years living Australia, when we arrived back in the UK we visited a few colleges in the areas we were interested in living, our son choose the college and then the courses which were and Advanced BTEC, GCSE English, Maths & Science and we did not (nor were we asked) have to pay anything, the colleges knew of our Sons education and where he/we had lived previously (Australia) this was in 2010 things might have changed since then though. Good luck
#23
Re: School/College Advice needed - college trying to charge fee
Glad to hear you got a good result. The college had its wires crossed on this one, which isn't surprising as the rules are a little complex. Children resident in the UK are entitled to free education regardless of the three year EU residency rule. The rule comes into play for older students, such as uni students. FE colleges offer courses for children and adults, so they must apply the rule according to the many varied students they have, resulting in confusion sometimes.