Financial Support – College 16-19

College 16 - 19 & Higher Education Students
Financial Support

Assistance can be provided for items such as travel costs, subsidised meals, material or kit costs and child care costs. Find out more below

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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.

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.
How and when can I apply?

You will receive a link via email once you have completed your pre-enrolment details or upon enrolment. Staff will then assess your application within 2 weeks of completing and write to you informing you of the decision.

Applications are considered throughout the year. 

Further Information
16-19 Discretionary Bursary

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

  • aged 16-18 on the 31st of August 2025 or up to the age of 25 with an EHCP plan. 
  • 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. 

Care2learn

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.  

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. 

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