Bosses at Basildon College have begun a wide-ranging consultation process to finalise proposals for a merger with Thurrock.
More than 400 questionnaires have been handed out, as a joint committee works to produce a draft plan for a meeting of the Further Education Funding Council on February 7.
The FEFC's regional panel has already given its outline approval.
At last night's(Tuesday) Basildon College annual general meeting, acting principal John Gould said consultation was crucial.
Feedback is being sought from staff, businesses and students.
Mr Gould said: "We desperately want to start up as a single college next August.
"If we miss getting this to the Secretary of State David Blunkett, by June, then Parliament will be in recess until October. It is a rigid deadline."
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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