Financial Support

We understand that the cost of studying can be a concern for students and their families. Our bursary funds are designed to help eligible learners with essential education-related costs, ensuring that financial circumstances are not a barrier to success.

Bursaries

Our bursary funds can provide financial assistance to eligible students with the following costs: 

• Transport – public transport or the College bus* 
• Free College Meals (16–18 students, eligible continuing students aged 19+ who are in the 2nd year of a 2-year course, or eligible 19–24-year-olds with an EHCP) 
• Equipment essential for your course, including books, materials and print credits 
• Stationary required for your programme of study 
• Educational trips and visits that are essential to your programme of study 
• DBS checks required as part of your course 
• Exam resit (for at least 1 exam) 
• T Level Industry Placement support, including travel and meal costs 
• Work Experience Placement support, including travel and meal costs 
• UCAS application fees covered 
• Digital services and loaned devices may be available where these are essential for participation in a programme of study. Subject to assessment of need and the availability of College resources. 

* Where a learner's disability or medical condition prevents them from using public transport or the College bus, support towards essential car travel may be considered following an assessment of need. 

Discretionary Bursary Support 

Students aged 16–18 on 31 August 2026, students aged 19–23 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and eligible continuing students aged 19+ who started their study programme when aged 16–18 (2nd Year of a 2-year course), may apply for discretionary bursary support. 

Applications are assessed based on household income, individual circumstances, financial need and the availability of funding. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of household income and any other information requested by the College to support the assessment process. 

The College operates a two-tier support model: 

*Household income excludes disability-related benefits and Carer's Allowance. 

Support awarded will depend on an assessment of need and the availability of bursary funding. Continued support may be subject to satisfactory attendance, engagement and compliance with College expectations. 

Students Eligible Under Vulnerable Bursary Criteria 

The following students may qualify for support under the Government's defined vulnerable bursary criteria: 

• Students who are currently in care.  
• Care leavers (Including those who left care though a Special Guardianship Order), defined as previously being in care for at least 13 consecutive weeks after the age of 14. 
• Students receiving Universal Credit in their own name AND living independently from their parents or carers. 
• Students receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) OR Universal Credit in their own name AND Disability Living Allowance (DLA) OR Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in their own name. 

Students aged 19 and over are not eligible for the vulnerable bursary. 

Students who meet the vulnerable bursary criteria should contact the Bursary Team for guidance on the support available and the evidence required. 

Adult Learner Support (19+) 

Adult learners who are government-funded (Adult Skills Funded) for their course or receiving an Advanced Learner Loan may be eligible for support through the College's Adult Learner Support Funds, subject to eligibility criteria and available funding. 

Support may be available towards: 

• Travel costs 
• Essential course equipment and materials 
• Childcare costs for learners aged 20+ using Ofsted-registered childcare providers 
• Other essential course-related expenses 

Adult learners who are paying their own course fees may still be considered for assistance in exceptional circumstances. Please contact the Bursary Team for advice. 

Care to Learn (C2L) 

Exceptional Hardship 

Students whose household income exceeds the standard eligibility thresholds may still be considered for support where exceptional hardship or significant financial barriers would otherwise prevent them from participating fully in education. 

Any exceptional hardship application will be assessed on an individual basis and support cannot be guaranteed. 

Important Information 

• Students must meet the residency eligibility requirements for 16–19 funding in England. 
• Applicants will be required to provide evidence of household income and financial circumstances. 
• The College reserves the right to prioritise applications and adjust support levels where demand exceeds available funding. 
• All bursary awards are subject to eligibility checks, satisfactory attendance, engagement and compliance with College expectations. 
• Support may be reviewed, suspended or withdrawn where College expectations are not met. 

Any bursary payments made directly to students must be paid into a bank account in the student's name. 

The only exception is where a parent or carer has legal appointeeship. In these circumstances, an appointee letter must be provided as part of the application process. 

Applications may be delayed if the required evidence is not supplied.

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.