How many years FE do kids get free ?

[SNOWBall4girlz]

My daughter has failed a level course dropped out, then failed a BTEC course and now has started a new course a two year BTEC but she will be twenty in the first week of her second year. Her family allowance and tax credits stop that week and I assume her entitlement to free education will as well. I have been told it could cost about £600 in fees and wondered if this is the normal procedure or are there any agencies out there that might help me / her fund this ? Many thanks in advance.

[eatyourveg]

Try this I would also ask the college if they have any bursaries or travel initiatives too to help students

[mumeeee]

It depends on the college. DD3 went to a college where full time courses were free. She finished in June and was 21 in January. She's off to uni on Saturday.

[cricketballs]

whilst not the question you asked - before you agree to fund/find funding etc is she capable of passing? I say this as a teacher of BTEC at Level 2 & 3 and there are so many chances for students to complete the tasks/improve their work that if she was capable of starting A level courses but failed a BTEC I would question her work ethic and if education is the best route for her

[SNOWBall4girlz]

Thank you for the replies will check the link out. She has a free bus pass as her dad works for a major bus company so luckily that is not an expense she has to worry about.

[SNOWBall4girlz]

I know cricketballs she is on her last chance. She is very clever but has failed to commit in the past. She has done fine on the first year.

[happilyconfused]

I am sure you already know by now but students can get up to three years to complete level 3 courses. However re-sit policies vary from school to school some may allow a year 12 re-sit or a year 13 re-sit or some do not allow re-sits at all. Luckily colleges pick up these older students as schools do not.

Hopefully things are going okay.

[crazykat]

When I was at college so long as you were 19 or under when the course started it was free for a level 3 (a-level or equivalent). There was also funding towards the courses if you were over that age but didn't already have a level 3 qualification which it sounds like she doesn't.

The best bet would be to ask the college she attends as they should be able to help.

[teenagetantrums]

My daughters BTEC course level 2 is £2800, i don't pay but we got a receipt when we signed up with that price on, but as she is 17 is free.

My son after messing up college has gone back now he is 19, but because he didn't register before his 19th Birthday he would have had to pay if he wasn't getting benefits, however you can get JSA if you go to college for less than 16 hours a week so he gets his course free. How any hours does your daughter do?