Fees Policy 2020-2021

Introduction

The fees policy takes account of the impact of COVID 19 on the residents and businesses within Devon. It adheres to the ESFA guidance on those individuals who are able to take advantage of concessions identified in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 funding rules.

The policy recognises the value of employment and wellbeing courses including qualifications, units towards qualifications and non-accredited provision in supporting a wide range of residents who might not have traditionally benefitted from this offer.

Course/Programme delivery

There are two types of delivery that govern the fees policy:

Qualification

Delivery in this category Results in the award of an externally validated certificate for the learner. It also includes non-regulated learning activity which has similar quality assurance requirements and costs.

Non-qualification delivering

Delivery in this category does not lead to an externally validated certificate for the learner. A Learn Devon certificate may be awarded on completion and subject to meeting the laid-down objectives and criteria for the course

Course Fee Conditions

The total course fee (the amount the learner will have to pay) is calculated from the following conditions.

• Learner eligibility for funds – charges are based on the learner being eligible for ESFA funding. Where a learner is not eligible, reference must be made to charges and/or concessions or the full fee charged. Exceptions can only be made by Service Manager.
  Note: where other funding streams are used to fund learning, different eligibility criteria and fees may be applicable. These will be detailed separately within this policy.
• Programme management – for qualification programmes (non-English and maths) to support the costs of qualification verification, materials.
• Tuition fee including assessment activity where required.
• Examination fee (this is the fee charged by the awarding body to include registration/certification costs plus 10%) where applicable.
• Materials fee levied for courses where materials used are a compulsory requirement of the course. Where a learner takes away products of their learning a charge will be made according to the actual costs of the materials which will be clearly defined to the learner on enrolment.
• Concession (this is the fee adjustment made to address equality / access for priority learners).

Terms and Conditions

Learner Fees

1. Where a fee is payable by the learner, the means by which they payment is to be made must be agreed prior to attendance on the course. Failure to meet this will mean exclusion from the course/cancellation of the booking.
2. Acceptable payment terms are:
   1. In full cash, cheque, credit or debit card at a Learn Devon Centre, by credit or debit card through My Devon or online.
   2. Payment of 10% of total course costs as a non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. Full payment will be requested prior to the start of the course. This is available for courses where the total costs of the course exceed £50.
   3. Pay by instalments via a standing order, this can be arranged by any Learn Devon Centre or My Devon. The initial payment should be made in enrolment followed by 3 monthly instalments – this applies for courses over £100.Note: When payment by instalments is agreed, the learner is agreeing to full payment for the course and will be liable for full charges subject to the booking being made.
   4. Payment by invoice to the learner’s employer where the evidence of employer agreement is confirmed within 7 working days of the booking being made.
3. ​​​​​​​Where a concession is being claimed that requires evidence, this must be submitted to the Centre within 7 working days of the booking being made. Failure to provide acceptable evidence will mean payment of full course fees being required or removal from the course/cancellation of booking.
4. Where a concession is being claimed for the following, approval is subject to an entry and exit interview with a Learn Devon member of staff:
   1. Stage 1 – both of the following must apply:​​​​​​​Is the learner at least 19 years of age on 31st August 2020

      Is the total household income less than £17,004.00 per year or living in a supported living environment?

   2. Stage 2 – one of the following must apply:Is the learner a full-time carer for a dependent adult or child with disabilities?

      Does the learner have a physical disability which has a significant and long term negative effect on the learner’s general well-being?

      Does the learner have a learning difficulty which has a significant and long term negative effect on the learner’s general well-being?

      Does the learner have a mental or emotional health condition which has a significant and long term negative effect on the learner’s general well-being?

      Is the learner a non-EU resident / not eligible for ESFA funding undertaking an ESOL qualification?

      Where a learner has had a course cancelled by Learn Devon during the 2020-2021 academic year, they will receive a 5% discount on any course commenced in the 2020-2021 academic year.

5. Where a learner joins a course after the start date, a pro-rata discount may be applied. Entry after the start date is at the discretion of the Area Co-ordinator responsible for the course and is subject to the agreed learning aims being met and the impact on the existing group of learners. No discount is applicable for sessions missed after the learner has started.
6. Where a learner refuses to settle outstanding fees Learn Devon may:

Seek legal recourse to the settlement of the fees, where the costs of such recourse are added to the learner fees.

Refuse entry to examinations.

Refuse entry to further courses supplied by Learn Devon.

Refunds

1. Where Learn Devon cancels a course prior to the start date, a refund of all fees will be paid to the learner.
2. For non-qualification courses, where Learn Devon cancels a course after the start date, a pro-rata refund of all fees will be paid to the learner.
3. For qualification courses, where Learn Devon cancels a course after the start date, a full refund including any examination fees will be paid to the learner.
4. Where the learner cancels their enrolment prior to the start of the course, they will receive a full refund.
5. Where the learner cancels their enrolment once a course has started they will receive no refund.

Special Conditions

1. Illness: Where a learner is unable to attend on medical grounds and produces a doctor’s certificate, a pro-rata refund will be made according to the time spent on the course. No refund for examinations where entered.
2. Transfers: Where a learner is on a course at an inappropriate level and wishes to transfer, prior to the second session, they can do so. The learner would be expected to receive or make payment to cover any differences in costs of the courses.

Direct Delivery Fees

Premises Hire

The following acts as a guide – Area Managers may use their discretion to tailor charges according to the demand in their local area. Any reductions in pricing must apply across the offer not on an individual customer basis (other than to sub-contractors).

Sub-Contracting Charges

Single Qualification - ESFA Guidance