DD wants to stay at college

[WhirlyGigs]

DD left school and studied a BTEC National Diploma which she has almost finished. We were hoping she'd do A levels but she was adamant about the course she wanted to do. This year she decided she didn't want to apply to university as a)her Diploma doesn't seem to hold much weight with the uni's, and b) she said she didn't feel ready for uni.

She hasn't particularly excelled in her Diploma getting some excellent grades, but also some very poor grades, which she says is beause she finds it too easy and knows she can get away with the bare minumum. Grrrrr.

So anyway, now she says she would like to go to another college in September and get some A levels so she can go to university. In principal I'm happy for her to do this - I think she's grown up alot since leaving school as she was the youngest in her year, and I think she is probably more excited about the prospect of college now than I've ever seen her before. My question is - will we have to pay for the course as she's already had a college course paid for? And if so - how much is it likely to be?

Thank you in advance

You need to contact the local colleges and find out. Different places ahve slightly different policies about ages and payment.
Usually you can do a "third" year in the 6th form as students are still usually under 19 when they begin (for example if the did a one year btec and some gcse resits and then go on to do 2 year A levels) and so tution is free.

I am sure if you phoned up or looked at their website you could get the information you need.

it should be free if she is under 19 when she starts

Thank you!

I have contacted some colleges. It appears that she should be ok for the first year but might have to pay for the A2 year. Looks like she might be too late to get a place for this year though. Arrghhh.

DD3 only applied last month for a course that starts in September, The collees around here acept applications until about May. They have interviews about once a month

If she is under 19 it is free. In my experience it is not unusual for summer born babies to need that extra year. Its great that she realises what she is capable of achieving. Lots of best wishes to her for her future studies.

Thanks Mumeeee - there is hope then. One college I spoke to said their deadline was December 2010 - which seems crazy!

That's interesting lateSeptember - I don't personally know of any others that have stayed on at college, but the more I think about it, the more I feel it makes sense for DD. I don't think she'd have coped with A levels straight from school, but her outlook is completely different now.

Well her application is in - so fingers crossed!

our FE college takes applications right through the summer up until the week before the start of term

That makes more sense to me - I can't imagine that many teenagers know which college will suit them and which course they want to do only three months into year 11.

Haven't hear anything yet. Early days.....