Funding Options

For full details of full/part time source funding options and online application please visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

Full time Course

If you are taking our course full time and have not previously received government funding, you are entitled to apply to the Student Loan Company for a student loan for tuition fees; this would fund part of your ICOM fees each year. For more information visit The Student Loan Company at www.slc.co.uk .

Student loan money is paid directly to the College, in two instalments, but not until March and May following the start of the course in September. (For students starting in April the student loan is paid in two installments in July and October.)

You will be required to have sufficient funds to pay your fees while awaiting your tuition fees refund from the college. We refund the money that we receive for your student loan for tuition fees, as soon as we receive it.

Part Time Course

You need to tell the Student Loan Company that you are studying 50% of a full time course.

Please visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance for more information about applying for finance.

Professional and Career Development Loans

Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year’s relevant unpaid practical work). The Learning and Skills Council will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards.

The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries.

Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated. For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/cdl or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900.

Other

You may be able to find a charitable trust willing to help finance your course or to sponsor you. Ask at your local library or try an internet search.