44 www. wakefield. ac. uk We provide appropriate support to every student who needs it, to ensure that they make the most of their learning opportunities at College. Additional Support Support for learners with medical conditions - dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, autistic spectrum disorders, medical health issues, ADHD, mobility difficulties, visual impairment, learning difficulties or those who are Deaf or hard of hearing or have English as a second language - can be in and/ or out of class e. g. on work placement or College trips. If you need any extra help in exams, like extra time or a reader or scribe, the Exams Office can apply for access arrangements for you. Phone 01924 789247. The College strongly urges you to disclose any disability or additional support need so we can make any reasonable adjustments necessary. Please contact the Additional Support Team before you enrol. Phone ( T) 01924 789158, ( V) 01924 789262 ( F) 01924 789262. Careers and Educational Guidance Careers Advisers are available by appointment at each Campus. Contact the service in person at our Wakefield Campus, or phone 01924 789301 or 789113. Childcare If you need help finding childcare contact Janet Taylor on 01924 789492 or visit www. childcarelink. gov. uk. Funding may be available to help with childcare costs depending on your age and circumstances. For information contact Financial Support on 01924 789304/ 283/ 517 or email student. finance@ wakefield. ac. uk. Counselling and Welfare Support Professionally qualified Counsellors are available to offer support to students on a range of issues. This service is strictly confidential, and complies with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics. Financial Support Depending on your circumstances, age and the course you wish to complete, there is a range of financial support available - see overleaf. For more information contact Financial Support on 01924 789304, 01924 789283, 01924 789517 or email student. finance@ wakefield. ac. uk. Learner Agreement We ask each student to sign a Learner Agreement which states what we will expect from them. Learning Resources Each of our Campuses has a Learning Centre, providing books, journals, multimedia IT facilities and access to the Internet. Refectory Services At each Campus a refectory service offers a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks, sandwiches and refreshments. Safeguarding Children Our Policy for Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults ensures that everyone attending the College does so in a safe and secure environment. The Policy is published on the College website and the staff and student intranet. Student Information Student information can be found on the student intranet, and is a guide to the services and systems in place to support students during their time at College. Students' Union The Students' Union represents your interests within the College and nationally through the National Union of Students ( NUS). Tutor Support The course tutor is a point of contact for any problems or concerns a student may encounter during their time at College. Equality and Diversity Our commitment The College is committed to the promotion of equality and diversity in all we do. The definition of diversity we seek to promote is in the creation an environment: ". in which individual differences are evident, different means to an end are respected, and the talent and attributes of people from different backgrounds and heritages are fully valued, utilised and developed." ( Greenslade, 1991) How we demonstrate our commitment We have recently developed a Single Equality Scheme reflecting emerging equality legislation which addresses all seven equality strands: - Age - Disability - Gender - Gender identity - Race - Religion or belief - Sexual orientation The Scheme sets out the College's approach to ensuring that all College users are treated fairly and that learners have maximum opportunities to succeed. It also includes a detailed plan setting out real actions the College will undertake during the 2009 - 10 academic year to address the needs of specific groups and improve outcomes for all. The Single Equality Scheme is available on the College's website www. wakefield. ac. uk. Measuring our progress The effectiveness of the Scheme is monitored through a comprehensive framework of measures, which involves regular collection, reporting and analysis of staff and learner data on the basis of a range of demographic factors. Learners can get involved in checking the progress the College is making by becoming a student representative on the Equality and Diversity Committee or on the Disability Equality Advisory Group. An annual report on equality and diversity, including monitoring data, is considered by the College's Board of Governors. Learners' responsibilities Learners, too, have a responsibility to promote and embed equality and diversity. The College Charter details what learners can expect from the College, and the Learner Agreement, which learners have to sign, details minimum expectations of learners, in relation to equality and diversity. DisabledGo From September 2009, the College will feature on the DisabledGo website. This will enable learners or members of the public with a disability to effectively plan a visit to, or attendance at, the College. The site will feature descriptions and images of buildings and facilities. External recognition of excellence In 2008, the College won the Learning and Skills Council's Regional Diversity Champion Award and has recently been shortlisted for the Celebration of Learning and Skills Award for Equality and Diversity in 2009. Student Support

45 Course Information: 01924 789111 General Information: 01924 789789 Money Matters/ Frequently Asked Questions How can I pay for my course? You will be expected to pay for your course when you enrol. You can pay by cash, cheque or card, or if the total fee is £ 150 or more, by monthly standing order ( incurs a £ 20 administration fee). If you choose to pay this way you will be required to pay one third of the fee at the time of enrolment, followed by a maximum of 6 monthly payments ( contact Finance for details on 01924 789387). If your employer, sponsor, student loan company or managing agent has agreed to pay for your course you will need to bring confirmation from them. I am under 19. Do I still have to pay fees? If the course is marked with a ' C' you will not have to pay for tuition or certification but you will be required to pay for any materials etc. N. B.: you will be required to pay certification fees for a re- sit. You may also be required to pay certification fees if you withdraw from your course or fail to attend your examination without good reason. If a course is NOT marked with a ' C' you will have to pay all fees in full. N. B.: exemption from fees may not apply if you are still in full time education at school or if you have been resident outside the UK within the last three years. For more information contact Registry on 01924 789188. I am under 16 and still at school. Do I still have to pay fees? Yes if you are under 16 on 31 August 2009. If you wish to attend, the fee is approximately £ 6.20 per hour plus certification fees and any materials etc. You will need to bring a letter from your head teacher supporting your enrolment at College. I am studying my first FULL level 2 qualification. Do I still have to pay? If you do not already hold a higher qualification, then you are entitled to free tuition fees ( additional fees will still be payable). You will need to complete a declaration form when you enrol. For more information contact Registry on 01924 789312. I am studying my first FULL level 3 qualification. Do I still have to pay? If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and do not already hold a higher qualification, then you may be entitled to free tuition fees ( additional fees will still be payable). You will need to complete a declaration form when you enrol. For more information contact Registry on 01924 789312. I am studying my first FULL level 3 qualification but I am aged 25+. Do I still have to pay? Yes, unless you do not already hold a FULL level 2 or higher qualification or qualify for remission ( see below) in which case you will be entitled to free tuition ( additional fees will still be payable). You will need to complete a declaration form when you enrol. For more information contact Registry on 01924 789312. I am on benefit. Do I still have to pay? If you are receiving an income based benefit you may be entitled to fee remission for courses marked with a ' C'. ( Remission applies to tuition and certification fees only). Evidence of benefit will be required e. g. benefit book, award notice, or official letter stating the type of benefit you are receiving. A Jobseekers card is NOT acceptable evidence. Also applicable to unwaged dependants as defined by the Benefits Agency. What is income based benefit? These are benefits for which you do not automatically qualify but where a decision is made based on your circumstances e. g. council tax or housing benefit, income support, income- based jobseekers' allowance and, in some instances, working tax credits. Contact Registry on 01924 789188. I am on benefit but it is not ' income based'. Do I still have to pay? Yes, unless you qualify for fee remission based on low income - see below. I am on low income and am not sure I can afford the fees? Where courses are marked with a ' C' and the tuition fee is over £ 150, the College operates a system of remitting some tuition fees for students who are not on an income based benefit but are on a very low income ( gross income of less than £ 15,276 plus £ 1000 for each dependant child). You will have to pay for certification fees, materials etc. Application must be made at least 3 weeks prior to the course start date. For more information contact Financial Support on 01924 789517. Is there any other financial support available? Funds may be available if financial difficulties make it difficult for you to complete your course. As a Further Education student you may apply for help towards the cost of books, equipment, childcare, residentials, meals, and travel. If you are a Higher Education student, you should apply online at www. direct. gov. uk/ studentfinance. For more information contact Financial Support 01924 789283 or 789517. I have lived outside the UK. Will I be charged overseas fees? If you have been resident outside the UK within the last three years you may be considered as an overseas student. Overseas students are required to pay overseas fees ( even where a course is advertised as free), which are considerably higher than fees for home students ( i. e. those resident in the EU). For more information contact Registry on 01924 789188. I am an International student. What are the fees? Please contact our International Centre on 01924 789554 for details of fees. Can I get a refund of my fees if I withdraw from my course? Refunds are not usually available. However, if the College closes a course, and no suitable alternative course is available, a refund will be given on request. For changes made to courses by the College which mean you are no longer able to attend, a refund may be available on request. Decisions regarding refunds will be made by the College according to the circumstances of each application.