The Institute offers a range of professional courses for musicians at both the FE and HE levels that are funded either privately or with support from the government. The funding available depends upon many variables, including the course you are applying for, your status and your personal learning requirements.

The following will hopefully act as a guide to help you understand this difficult area!

Tuition Fees 

Diploma
For students that are under 19 at the start of September 2008, the tuition element of this programme is funded by the government. Students will, however, be required to pay an additional charge to cover specialist materials and support activities.

Higher Diploma
This programme is privately funded. However, many of our students are able to get a bank loan specifically for career development. In addition, each year we award scholarships covering tuition fees on this programme totaling over £30,000. Please regularly check our website for information on scholarships in 2008. 

Degree
Students can apply for loans through the Student Loans Company. These are supported by the government and are repayable after you have completed the course and are in employment. Repayments begin once your earnings exceed £15,000 per year, with 9% of your earnings above this threshold going to pay back the loan.

 These loans essentially come in three parts;

1. Tuition Loan. Students can apply for a loan of up to £3070 to cover the tuition fees. This part is not means tested.
2. Maintenance loan. Students can also apply for a maintenance loan to help with living expenses. This is means tested and depends upon your household income
3. Grant. For students from lower income households, there is a non-repayable grant to help you study. It is means tested too, and you could be eligible for a yearly grant of up to £2,765

How to apply
You apply for your student loan through your Local Education Authority, or LEA, who process the application and undertake the means testing. The Student Loans Company then assumes responsibility for the administration of your loan, arranging for payments to the University in the case of tuition loans, or directly to you for grants and maintenance loans.

You can apply to the SLC from March and we recommend you apply sooner rather than later to avoid any delays in funding. It also means that you can plan your finances for your study well in advance.

You need to get a PN1 form from your LEA or apply online at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. Your local LEA will be in your local directory or can be found here: www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/

Additional Maintenance Funding

Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
This is an additional support payment available for students aged 16 to 18. It is means tested with payments ranging up to £30 per week. To qualify your household annual income must be below £30,810. There is lots of information on the government website here, www.direct.gov.uk/ema, or alternatively call the EMA helpline on 0808 10 16219. 

Adult Learning Grant (ALG)
This scheme is similar to the EMA but is for mature students, namely over 19 years old. It is for students who are studying for their first full qualification at levels 2 or 3 (our Diploma is level 3, for example). Payments are, as with the EMA, means tested and can be up to £30 per week. Again, there is lots of information on the government website so have a look here www.adultlearninggrant.com or call the Learndirect advice line on 0800 100 900

Bursaries and Awards
There are other funding options available such as Bursaries and Awards. These are generally discretionary awards to the students and cover a range of stated aims. Please contact our admissions staff to find out more information or get a copy of our leaflet.