Eligibility criteria for full funding

Before registering your interest in a course, check you meet the eligibility criteria listed below.

You will be able to enrol on a course for free if you are:

• a resident in West Sussex
• 19 years old or over at the start date of the course
• unemployed and receive a means tested state benefit
• employed and earning less than £25,750 gross annual salary
• a non-UK national with permission granted by the UK Government to live in the UK
• a national from the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, Ireland or the UK

Individuals seeking asylum are eligible if they:

• have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered by the Home Office, and no decision has been made on their claim
• are receiving local authority support under section 23C or section 23CA of the Children Act 1989 or the Care Act 2014

You will not be eligible for our courses if you:

• are in the UK without lawful status
• are on a student visa, unless you qualify under other categories
• are in the UK on holiday
• are in the UK on a sponsorship visa
• have a residence permit that imposes a study prohibition or restriction

Note: Before your course starts, you will be asked to attend an assessment and show documents that prove you can join the course. This includes proof of your identity, income and residency.

If you’re still not sure on your eligibility, contact us for help at adult.learning@westsussex.gov.uk.