Further Education Finance

From bursaries, free meals, travel support and childcare to support with essential equipment and trips, simply download the PDF below to see what financial support you could be eligible for.

2022/23:

Financial Support Guidance Flowchart 2022/23

If you would like to make an application for financial support please select and complete the relevant form below:

2021/22:

Financial Support Form 2022/23

Childcare Support Form 2022/23 

Once complete, please submit the form, along with all supporting evidence to:

What is the bursary?

The 16-19 bursary is a scheme to assist young people to continue in full-time education who may have difficulties in completing their course due to financial reasons.

The scheme is made up of two parts:

Vulnerable Bursary

Bursaries of up to £1,200 are available to Vulnerable Students (16-18) as defined by:

• Being in care or being a care leaver – Letter from local authority confirming status required.

• Student personally in receipt of universal credit – Evidence required.

• Being a disabled young person and in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right – Evidence of both required.

Discretionary Bursary

Students facing financial difficulties may also be able to request assistance with transport, mandatory equipment, meals, trips or other course related costs. Travel support is available to students who travel more than 1.5 miles to their main campus of study.

All students requesting support with travel are asked to apply via the 16-19 Bursary Fund Application Form available from Advice Centre’s/Reception. Due to the high volume of applications students are expected to cover their own transport costs up to half term, which will then be reimbursed if successfully awarded support.

If you need help, please contact Student Finance :

Financial Support Guidance Information Sheet (PDF)

Students who meet the criteria can claim one meal per day from college onsite cafes. Criteria is based on parents who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC))
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• UC with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

All student requesting free meals must complete the Financial Support Application form and provide the relevant evidence.

Care to Learn is intended to assist young parents under the age of 20 to continue in, and return to, education after the birth of a child by providing funding for childcare whilst the young parent is engaged in a study programme.

Further information regarding how to apply is available at www.gov.uk/care-to-learn.

If further information is required, please contact the Advice Centre’s or call :

Students aged 19-23 at the start of their course studying up to a Level 3 Programme and student learners over 24 but studying a Programme up to a Level 2 can apply for support from the 19+ DLS fund. The DLS fund can help towards, travel, childcare, meals and trips.

If further information is required, please contact the Advice Centre’s or call :

Are you aged 19 or over and thinking about Further Education?

You may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with your course fees. The loans are non means-tested so household income isn’t taken into account. You don’t pay anything back unless you are earning over £25,000.

Advanced Learner Loans Leaflet (PDF)

This bursary is available to students who have approved Advanced Learner loans in place. The fund may provide a contribution towards travel and childcare costs. Any essential equipment should be provided by the department. In exceptional cases students can request assistance with hardship.