Find the Money to Pay for your Course!
So you've found the course of your dreams. What sorts of costs will you need to consider?
By – DeskDemon.com
What will you need to pay for?
- The course itself – tuition fees, possibly examination and registration fees;
- Materials – books and any equipment. If you're signing up for a practical course, these may be higher.
- Transport to get to the course itself
- Residential courses plus accommodation, if this forms part of the course
- Ad hoc fees for example to join a professional body if you're looking to boost your career prospects.
So where's the money going to come from?
You could always ask your company to sponsor you. Consider your approach carefully and read 10 hot tips to getting the boss to fund your training and learning. If he refuses, you'll need to weigh up whether you still want to continue with the training and there are more tips to help you do just that in 10 hot things to consider after bossie has said he won't fund you.
Meantime, you need the cash. Where can you consider getting it? Here are a list of options:
Find out what's on offer for FREE!
Some courses are FREE! Learndirect offer free taster courses which will give you the chance to make sure that you like a course before you sign up for it (www.learndirect.co.uk). The BBC also offer some free courses at www.bbc.co.uk/learning/courses.
Visit your Local Learning and Skills Council web site
Your county may be offering grants, loans or a whole host of financial assistance to help you in training and learning, so why not visit their site and find out what your local county is doing to help you? Every county is different in terms of what's on offer, but they all want to maximise learning and training opportunities for all those living in the area. Visit www.lsc.gov.uk for more information on Learning and Skills Councils or your local Business Link (www.businesslink.gov.uk) to find out more.
Check with local colleges and training providers to see what's possible.
Many training providers have access or hardship funds to help students when the going gets really tough. Contact the finance office to find out further details. Study their web sites to see if you can find out about possible funding – don't just assume there are no other ways forward. Your local college, for example, may be working with local partners such as colleges and universities to boost skills in a particular sector or area. You never know until you pick up the phone and talk to someone or visit their web site!
Career Development Loans
These allow you to borrow from anywhere between £3,000 and £8,000 to spend on two years of learning and up to one year's practical work experience if it forms part of your chosen course. Visit www.lifelonglearning.co.uk for more info.
Visit the National Institute of Continuing Education's web site.
NIACE have been greatly involved in the establishment of www.moneymatterstome.co.uk. This site provides a guide to online family finance and there are tons of tips to help you make the most from your money.
