Financial Support

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

We understand that finances can be a barrier to education, so we offer a range of
support to help with travel, meals, childcare and course costs. 

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT

We understand that finances can be a barrier to education, so we offer a range of support to help with travel, meals, childcare and course costs.

The Learner Support Fund

The Learner Support Fund is specifically aimed at students facing financial hardship in accessing education. Funds will be allocated upon a proven hardship need. Assistance can be provided for items such as travel costs, subsidised meals, material or kit costs and childcare costs and will either be paid in cash or with payment in kind for course expenses.

The type of assistance is based on your age and your course so not all support is available to all students.

 
16–19 Discretionary Bursary

Is available to students facing financial difficulty must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be aged 16-18 on the 31st August 2025 or up to the age of 25 with an EHCP plan and:
    • Have a Household income of £39,700 or less per annum.
    • Are a British citizen or meet the residency criteria.

      Dependant on criteria support can be provided towards travel costs (3 miles or further from home address to college), course related equipment, material, kit, course related trips, meal support and childcare costs. 

      *Please note – apprentices are not eligible. 

16–19 Vulnerable Bursary

Is available for students most in need and have no financial support from parents or carers. To be eligible the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Aged 16-18 on the 31st of August 2025 and:
    • In care or a care leaver
    • Receiving income support or universal credit
    • Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right

Dependent on criteria support can be provided towards travel costs (3 miles from home address to college), course related equipment, material kit, course related trips, meal support and childcare costs.

Care to Learn

Young parents aged under 20 at the start of their course may be entitled to help with childcare costs of up to £175 per week whilst studying. The childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted. You can find out more about Care to Learn, including eligibility and how to apply, at gov.uk/care-to-learn. 

19+ Bursary

We provide two types of support for adult learners to manage additional course cost and financial barriers. These are: 

  • Advance learner loan bursary - This is available to students who have an approved advanced learner loan and meet the household income threshold of £25,396 or less – this must include partners income but not parent’s income if living at home.
  • 19+ discretionary learner support bursary – This is available to adult learners who have to pay tuition fees and are not eligible for a loan or are in receipt of fee remission/discounts. You must also meet the household income threshold of £25,396 or less.

Dependent on criteria, support can be provided towards course related equipment, material, and childcare cost and travel costs (3 miles from home address to college). It does not cover non course related learning support services, extra curriculum activities, living costs or allowances to encourage you to attend college.

*Please note:-

Apprentices are not eligible. 

Due to safeguarding regulations adult learners are not able to travel on our college transport.

Each application is assessed individually and confidentially. You’ll be notified of the outcome within two weeks of applying.

📩 For details, check your email after enrolment or speak to the Hub team.

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THE LEARNER SUPPORT FUND

The Learner Support Fund is specifically aimed at students facing financial hardship in accessing education. Funds will be allocated upon a proven hardship need. Assistance can be provided for items such as travel costs, subsidised meals, material or kit costs and childcare costs and will either be paid in cash or with payment in kind for course expenses.

The type of assistance is based on your age and your course so not all support is available to all students.

BURSARIES WE OFFER:

16–19 Discretionary Bursary

Is available to students facing financial difficulty must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be aged 16-18 on the 31st August 2025 or up to the age of 25 with
    •  an EHCP plan and:
    • Have a Household income of £39,700 or less per annum.
    • Are a British citizen or meet the residency criteria.

      Dependant on criteria support can be provided towards travel costs (3 miles or further from home address to college), course related equipment, material, kit, course related trips, meal support and childcare costs. 

      *Please note – apprentices are not eligible. 

16–19 Vulnerable Bursary

Is available for students most in need and have no financial support from parents or carers.  To be eligible the student must meet the following criteria: 

  • Aged 16-18 on the 31st of August 2025 and: 
  • In care or a care leaver 
  • Receiving income support or universal credit 
  • Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right 

Dependant on criteria support can be provided towards travel costs (3 miles from home address to college), course related equipment, material, kit, course related trips, meal support and childcare costs. 

Care to Learn

Young parents aged under 20 at the start of their course may be entitled to help with childcare costs of up to £175 per week whilst studying. The childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted. You can find out more about Care to Learn, including eligibility and how to apply, at gov.uk/care-to-learn. 

19+ Bursary

We provide two types of support for adult learners to manage additional course cost and financial barriers. These are: 

Advanced learner loan bursary – This is available to students who have an approved advanced learner loan and meet the household income threshold of £25,396 or less – this must include partners income but not parent’s income if living at home.

19+ discretionary learner support bursary – This is available to adult learners who have to pay tuition fees and are not eligible for a loan or are in receipt of fee remission/discounts. You must also meet the household income threshold of £25,396 or less.  

Dependant on criteria, support can be provided towards course related equipment, material, and childcare costs and travel costs (3 miles from home address to college). It does not cover non course related learning support services, extra curriculum activities, living costs or allowances to encourage you to attend college. 

*Please note: – 

 Apprentices are not eligible.   

Due to safeguarding regulations adult learners are not able to travel on our college transport. 

Each application is assessed individually and confidentially. You’ll be notified of the outcome within two weeks of applying.

📩 For details, check your email after enrolment or speak to the Hub team.

How are decisions made?

Each case will be considered individually and in strict confidence. Among factors considered are:

  • Your income and expenditure and other sources of funds available to you.
  • The personal circumstances of you and your dependants.
  • Comments from your course teacher on your attendance and progress on your course.
  • Students are expected to contribute towards costs where applicable.
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HOW ARE DECISIONS MADE?

Each case will be considered individually and in strict confidence. Among factors considered are:

  • Your income and expenditure and other sources of funds
    available to you.
  • The personal circumstances of you and your dependants.
  • Comments from your course teacher on your attendance and
    progress on your course.
  • Students are expected to contribute towards costs where applicable.
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HOW DO I APPLY?

Applications will be available to apply online via a link sent to your email upon enrolment. This will only be sent if you have made an application, filled in your pre enrolment form or come to enrol. If for some reason you haven’t received this please contact our admissions team on applications@macclesfield.ac.uk.

Need Further information?
For further advice and guidance, call our Learner Experience Team:

HOW DO I APPLY?

Applications will be available to apply online via a link sent to your email upon enrolment. This will only be sent if you have made an application, filled in your pre enrolment form or come to enrol. If for some reason you haven’t received this please contact our admissions team on applications@macclesfield.ac.uk.

NEED FURTHER INFORMATION?
For further advice and guidance call our Learner Experience Team:
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Am I Eligible For Support?

Dependant on your age, household income and individual circumstances will be taken into account. If you have any questions please send them to studentservices@macclesfield.ac.uk.

What Evidence Do I Need to Provide?

When applying you are required to upload proof of household income to support your application.

Please see below a list of evidence we accept:

  • Wage/Salary slips – up to 3 months
  • Universal credit statement in full – No screenshots, downloadable PDF
  • Full tax credit notice
  • ESA or JSA letter
  • Pension/other benefits – up to 3 months

* All evidence must be dated within the last 6 months.

I am a Returning Student, Do I Need to Reapply?

All students are required to reapply each year they attend college.

What Will the Bursary Cover If I Qualify?
  • Free breakfast
  • College bus fee @£400 for the full academic year
  • Travel costs (where we do not provide a college bus)
  • College meals @£5 per day when in college
  • Course related trips
  • Kit/uniform required for your course
  • Printing credit
  • Childcare costs

*Please note – 19+ Do not qualify for the bus fee or college meals

How Do I Apply For Childcare?

Once you have applied and been approved, please email studentservices@macclesfield.ac.uk for the relevant forms.

When Will I Know If I Have Qualified For The Bursary Once Applied?

Please allow 14 working days for your application to be processed. Once this has been actioned an email will be sent with the outcome on if more evidence is required, you do not qualify, or if you have been approved.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Am I eligibly for support?

Dependant on your age, household income and individual circumstances will be taken into account. If you have any questions please send them to studentservices@macclesfield.ac.uk.

What evidence do I need to provide?

When applying you are required to upload proof of household income to support your application.

Please see below a list of evidence we accept:

  • Wage/Salary slips – up to 3 months
  • Universal credit statement in full – No screenshots, downloadable PDF
  • Full tax credit notice
  • ESA or JSA letter
  • Pension/other benefits – up to 3 months

* All evidence must be dated within the last 6 months.

I am a returning student, do I need to reapply?

All students are required to reapply each year they attend college.

What will the bursary cover if I qualify?
  • Free breakfast
  • College bus fee @£400 for the full academic year
  • Travel costs (where we do not provide a college bus)
  • College meals @£5 per day when in college
  • Course related trips
  • Kit/uniform required for your course
  • Printing credit
  • Childcare costs

*Please note – 19+ Do not qualify for the bus fee or college meals

How do I apply for childcare?

Once you have applied and been approved, please email studentservices@macclesfield.ac.uk for the relevant forms.

When will I know if I have qualified for the bursary once applied?

Please allow 14 working days for your application to be processed. Once this has been actioned an email will be sent with the outcome on if more evidence is required, you do not qualify, or if you have been approved.

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