NLAECL Fees and Charges Policy

Purpose

To describe the fees policy relating to courses organised by North Lincolnshire Adult Education and Community Learning (AECL) which are funded by the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA)

AECL is obliged by the GLCCA to charge fees for its adult learning provision but will endeavour to hold fees at a level that allows those who are most in need to access adult learning. i.e. those adults who are in work, but are disadvantaged, have low skills levels and are most in need of access to learning to improve their life chances and their prospects in employment.

Scope

All courses that are delivered by AECL use the funding assigned for the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) including Tailored Learning (TL).

AECL must comply with the GLCCA guidance linked to the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) including Tailored Learning (TL) which forms the grant funding.  Learners’ eligibility and funding is defined in the Funding Rules which can be found on the following website:

GLCCA Funding Rules 2026-27 V3 Aug 26

AECL fees policy is based on a principle set out by the Government that ‘those who are able to pay should do so’, and that funding should be available to those that need it the most.  Many of our learning courses allow learners to access courses free of charge, or at a discounted rate in line with the principles set out within the funding rules.

Responsibilities

All AECL staff involved with the administration, management and delivery of courses.

Funding and Tuition

Adult Learners (19 years and over on August 31^st at the start of the academic year) are eligible to pay a fee unless covered by fee reduction (concession) or fee waiver.

• Many learners will be able to access courses free of charge. 
• Fee level charges will be set according to the resources and staffing requirements for the individual course and advertised. 
• Learners who are eligible for co-funding as specified by the GLCCA Funding Rules will be funded at a rate of 50% with a maximum of the other 50% being paid by the learner or employer. At the discretion of AECL, some courses may be charged at less than 50% for the learner.
• On co-funded courses where fees are charged, these represent only a proportion of the full cost of the course, with the remainder being paid for with grants from the government.

• Eligible learners may apply for a concession or financial support to help meet the fees for their course. 
• AECL operates three fee rates:
  • Full fee 
  • Concessionary fee
  • Fee waiver

• Adult learners who are on an income-based benefit or are employed/self-employed earning an annual gross salary of £26,800, will not pay course fees on production of the required evidence.
• Learners who do not meet funding eligibility criteria will pay the full cost of the course fee. 

Fee Waiver

1. A fee waiver will only be given where individuals can provide evidence of their situation prior to the start of their course. Where this is not supplied, the course fee will apply. A fee waiver can only be given to a learner who meets the GLCCA eligibility criteria for access to public funding.
   
   Fee waivers do not apply to full cost programmes or where learners are not eligible for one of the governments’ funded legal entitlements (see funding rules).
   
   Adult learners enrolled on courses funded by the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) may be subject to a fee waiver if in receipt of income-based state benefit (see paragraphs 10, 11 below).

19- to 23-year-olds

24+ year-olds

 Funded courses that are free at point of entry

• Functional Skills English and Maths / Essential Digital Skills – are free to all who qualify for legal entitlement.
• Family Literacy (English), Languages and Numeracy (Maths) / Family Learning – are free to all.

Tailored Learning Course Fees

Fees for non-accredited Tailored Learning courses delivered will use GLCCA guidance as a means of determining which learners are fully funded, determined by ASF funding rules.  

Courses that enable learners to develop new skills which include English and Maths, Digital, Employability, and Health and Wellbeing are free at the point of entry with pathways for progression to other learning.

Where learners may not be fully funded AECL has the discretion to offer to waive the fee.  Where a fee waiver or legal entitlement is not in place, the course fees will be as follows: 

£5.20 per hour plus an administration fee of £6.10.

Apprenticeships

No fee is charged to learners undertaking an Apprenticeship. Employer contributions will be charged in line with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) guidance and the levy/non levy government policy considering market rates.

Adult Skills Fund (ASF)

Adult learners are subject to GLCCA eligibility criteria at enrolment which determines  GLCCA funding. Prior to enrolment, learners will be informed at the IACG stage, whether or not they are subject to fee payment.

Full Cost

Full cost programmes are not government funded. Fees set for these courses are at a competitive market rate determined by AECL There is no concessionary fee on full cost classes.

Active Benefits

• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) including those receiving National Insurance credits only.
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Universal Credit, and their take-home pay as recorded on their Universal Credit statement is less than £26,800. 
• are released on temporary licence, studying outside a prison environment, and not funded by the Ministry of Justice

Other income related state benefits

• Income Support
• Incapacity Benefit (related to low income)
• Housing Benefit (related to Universal Credit)
• Council Tax Benefit (subject to low-income household threshold)
• Pension Credit (not savings credit)
• Carers Allowance

To be eligible for fee waiver learners must provide appropriate evidence at the enrolment session or first teaching session. Proof of entitlement must be current and /or dated within the last 3 months and cover the period of learning.

Payments

1. Fees are due at the start of each course. Fees can be paid: 

• In full at enrolment
• If the employer is paying for the course a letter of confirmation on letter-headed paper from your employer must be provided.

Learners will be asked to sign a disclaimer stating that if they do not attend an exam for which they have agreed to be entered they may be charged the entry fee.