Financial Support

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You may be entitled to financial support from the College Bursary Scheme to help meet the costs of continuing with your studies.

Financial support is government money administered by the College to help and support 16-19 year old students in further education. The fund is to support learners who are experiencing financial difficulty in accessing or completing their course.

Click here to apply for financial support for 2024/25.

About the College Bursary Fund
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund is to provide financial support to help students overcome the specific financial barriers to participation they face so they can remain in education.

Every year the government gives colleges additional funding to help students with the essential costs of participating in their study programme: and depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for some (or all) for the following:
- Free Travel (if you live more than 1 mile from the College)
- Free Meals
- Childcare Support
- DBS Checks
- Music Tuition
- Sports Kit
- Essential Course Equipment
- Books
- Educational Visits
- University visits
- Work Experience costs
- Examination Re-sits
How do I qualify for a College bursary?
To qualify for any of the College bursaries you must:
- Be under the age of 19 on 31st August in the year you start your programme of study.
- Meet residency criteria (if you have any queries please get in touch with Admissions).
- Enrol on a government funded programme of study (all of our courses at the college are government funded).
- Have your own bank account – Students must have a bank account in their own name, we are unable to make payments into anybody else’s account. For help and information about opening a bank account please click here.
Where do I apply for a College bursary?

types of bursaries

There are three categories of financial support available at the Sixth Form College; The Specialist Supportive Bursary, Discretionary Bursary Only (Income Based), and The Discretionary Bursary & Free Meals (Benefits Based).

The Specialist Supportive Bursary
This bursary is available for specific vulnerable groups. You could receive up to £1,200 per academic year if:
- You are a young person in care, including unaccompanied children seeking asylum.
- You are a young careleaver.
- You are a young person receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in your own right.
- You are a young person receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in your own right.
If you are living independently and not on Income Support we may still be able to offer you financial support.
- Weekly installments are paid into the student’s bank account
- You will also be entitled to either the Discretionary Bursary or the Discretionary Bursary & Free Meals
Discretionary Bursary Only (Income Based)
If you have a household income of £30,000 or less after deductions, you may be entitled to up to 100% of the cost of:
- Travel to and from College by either bus or train (if you live more than 1 mile from the college)
- Essential course equipment (e.g. art materials)
- Books
- Educational visits
- Examination fees
- Authorised university visits (e.g. University open days)
- Employer visits
- Work experience related costs
- DBS checks where required for course related work experience
- Music tuition provided by external organisations where essential
  for study.
The Discretionary Bursary & Free Meals (Benefits Based)
You will qualify for free meals and the discretionary bursary if your parent(s)/guardian(s) are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit with net earnings no more than £7,400
- Child Tax Credit (not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC.
You may be entitled up to 100% of the cost of:
- Travel to and from College by either bus or train (if you live more than 1 mile from college)
- Free meals – your college ID card will be topped up with a £5.00 daily allowance to be spent in the college refectory or coffee shop.
- Essential course equipment (e.g. art materials)
- Books
- Educational visits
- Examination fees
- Authorised university visits (e.g. University open days)
- Employer visits
- Work experience related costs
- DBS checks where required for course related work experience
- Music tuition provided by external organisations where essential
  for study.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get advice?
What if my circumstances change?
What if I have to travel to college by train?

Up to 100% of the cost of train travel can be covered (if you live more than 1 mile from college).

You will need to complete the travel questionnaire as part of the on-line bursary application.

The questionnaire will ask you if you have a 16-17 saver card and which station you travel into college from. You will be required to purchase a 16-17 saver card for £30 to receive 50% off all train travel – this will be reimbursed along with your first bursary payment.

For information on the 16-17 saver card click here
How will I get my free meals?
Can I lose my bursary payments/support?

Appeals Process

Where the applicant is not satisfied with the original decision he/she may appeal formally in writing within ten working days to the Assistant Principal, who is totally independent of the assessment process. Appeals can be considered on the grounds of extenuating circumstances, which have not previously been disclosed, or new financial evidence that has not previously been considered. A photocopy of all pages of any additional evidence must be included with the appeal. Appeals will be assessed by the Assistant Principal and a decision notified to the applicant in writing within 15 working days of receipt. This decision is final.

care to learn

If you are under the age of 20 and have one or more children, Care To Learn can help you with the cost of childcare whilst you are learning.

You are a parent under the age of 20 at the start of your course.
You are the main carer for your child.
You live in England.
You are either a British citizen or have a legal right to live and study. Click here for more information.
Your course qualifies (all courses at the College qualify).
Your childcare provider is registered with Ofsted.