Urgent Education Help

[stephenb]

Advise needed

My step-daughter came to Northern Ireland via EEA Visa from Thailand on the 16th May 2011,she was born on the 24.10.1995,which made her 15 years 6 months on entry. We applied to a local girls school who accepted my daughter when the new term started. She stayed with the school achieving excellent GCSE marks in Fashion and Design and also her English improved greatly. Moving on – at the end of the last term we applied to a local college for a place in her chosen course and were invited to a get together evening at the college.At the evening everyone was welcomed and all advised on the course and its contents. Also, the course supported those with language difficulties which was ideal.

We provided the college with my daughters passport and portfolio and awaited further communication. To cut a long story short, my daughter was offered a place which we dully accepted and she started in the new term. Approx two months into the term we receive a letter from the college asking for over £4000 which we were shocked about.

After investigating myself I find there is a 3 year rule regarding residency. However, at no stage were we advised by the college there would be any fees and indeed they said the course was free.

We have withdrawn our daughter from the college until further notice

I would appreciate it if anyone could advise

[vinny]

See also Home or overseas fees?

[stephenb]

Thanks for the info Vinny

My bone of contention is with the college for a failure to implement these rules when we first applied thus allowing us to make an informed decision on the correct path to take. My daughter had the opportunity to go back to the original school but that place is gone.

I suppose we will just have to suck it up and move on