Financial Support

College Bursary

The College bursary is designed to help students who are experiencing financial difficulty in accessing or completing their course. Funds can be provided to help towards the cost of travel, meals, books, equipment and essential materials needed for your courses. You must be under 19 on the 31 August in the year in which you start your programme of study.

There are two types of 16 – 19 Bursary:

Vulnerable Bursary

Students who meet the criteria, and who have a financial need, can apply for a bursary for vulnerable groups. These students will normally be provided with financial support for transport costs, meals and course costs. You must have evidence of one or more of the qualifying elements below:

• in care
• care leavers
• receiving Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner
• receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right, as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right

Income-Assessed Bursary Support

College will provide an income-assessed Bursary for students whose Parents/Guardians household income is below £35,000.

Free School Meal Criteria

• Income Support
• Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Guarantee Pension Credits
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit with net earnings no more than £7,400
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC

In the event of Industrial work placements being offered by the College, students may claim financial support to assist with additional expenses associated with placements e.g. travel, equipment, or clothing. This bursary has a higher income threshold:

• With Parents/Guardians household income of below £50,000
• Or you meet the Free Meal criteria

The College understands that circumstances may change throughout the year and all applications made will be considered. Please note Bursary Funding is limited, when available funds have been allocated, the scheme will be closed to applications.

If you require any help or advice on making a bursary application, please contact the Student Services Team by clicking here