Financial Support

We understand that the costs of college may be daunting but we are here to support you.

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We understand that you may have some concerns about the financial aspects of your young person going to college.

Bursaries

Our bursaries are able to support with financial assistance for eligible students with the following costs:  

  • Transport – public transport or the college bus
  • Free College meals (Adult learners excluded)
  • Equipment essential for your course – books and materials 
  • Trips essential for your course/s  
  • DBS check – where required for your course.
  • T-Level students - Travel and Lunch funds for Industry Placements
  • Childcare (Learners aged 20+ with Ofsted registered providers), for support with childcare costs while attending college.

Bursary and Meal Support eligibility:

  • Students aged 16-18 on 31st August 2025, or aged 19-23 with an EHCP:
    • If your total household income is under £30,000 (excluding any disability related income or carer’s allowance) and you are in receipt of certain benefits 
  • Students who are Living in Care or a Young Care Leaver
  • Students living independently in receipt of ESA, Universal Credits, Income support, Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence payments in their own name.
  • Adult students (19+ on the 31st August with no EHCP) who are Government funded for their course or in receipt of an Advanced Learner Loan.
    • If your total household income is under £30,000 (excluding any disability related income or carer’s allowance) and you are in receipt of certain benefits (please see the leaflet below for more details).
    • Adult childcare support is only available for students who are aged 20+
  • Adult students fee paying.
    • We may be able to offer financial assistance with course-related costs through our Discretionary Learner Fund or Childcare Support Funds, please contact the bursary team if you believe you are in a situation requiring further support.  

Please note, any funds paid by the bursary must be deposited to a bank account in the student's name. The only exception to this is if a parent/carer is an appointee. In which case an appointee letter must be submitted when you apply for the bursary. Failure to provide the correct information will unfortunately put the application on hold. 

 

Evidence

If you feel you are eligible for support, you will be asked to provide evidence. Please see the downloadable document for more information. 

More information and accepted evidence. 

 

How to Apply

All new applicants and continuing students will receive an invitation to apply for Bursary support when the portal opens for the upcoming academic year. The invitation will include all the information you will need on where to apply and what evidence is required.

Following the opening of the Application portal, to apply for the College bursary please click on the following link https://usp.paymystudent.com/portal/  and register with PayMyStudent so that you can submit an application.

Should you experience any difficulties, please email bursary@uspcollege.ac.uk or visit Student Services.

 

Higher Education

There are a number of financial support options which can help to pay for a Higher Education qualification.

They are:

  • Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of your course (full and part-time students)
  • Maintenance Loan to help with living costs (full-time students only)
  • Special Support Grant instead of a Maintenance Grant if you qualify for Income Support or Housing Benefit (full-time students only)
  • Extra help may also be available if you are on a low income, have children or dependent adults, or are disabled.

You need to pay back Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans once your income is over current government thresholds, but not other student finance, for example, grants and bursaries. You still have to repay your student loan if you leave your course early.

To access further support, please visit Student Services.