We can help with advice on the cost of coming to college including course fees, travel costs, any equipment you may need to buy, uniform and childcare if you need it.

Student Bursary scheme

We want to make sure finance isn’t a barrier to your college studies. The College has access to government funding that could help you depending on your circumstances.

To qualify for help with the cost of coming to college, you will need to provide evidence of your circumstances and your eligibility for help will depend on your age, your household income and your immigration status. Exceptional circumstances may also apply.

You may qualify for help if your household income is below £26,000 per year. If there are three or more dependent children aged under 18 in full-time education in the household, you may qualify for assistance even if your household income is up to £30,000.

To be eligible for financial support, it is expected that households have claimed all funds available to them from other sources. If you are aged under 20 and in full time education, your household should be in receipt of Tax Credits or Universal Credit in order to be eligible for Bursary support. If you have not yet claimed Tax Credits or Universal Credit, you would be expected to do so before applying to the Bursary Scheme.

Bursary applications for 2024-25 students are now open:

bursary application form 2024-25

Student Bursary Policy 2024-25

Help with childcare

If you are aged over 20 at the start of your college course, you can apply to the Student Bursary scheme for help with the cost of childcare so you can come to college.

If you are aged under 20, you may be eligible for help under the government’s Care to Learn scheme which pays for childcare with an Ofsted-registered provider while you are at college up to a maximum of £180 per week. Visit www.gov.uk to apply.

If you are a lone parent in receipt of income support and considering returning to college either full-time or part-time, you are advised to contact Jobcentre Plus (JCP) for help with financial support. If there is no support available through JCP, you may be eligible for support through the College’s student bursary scheme.

Advanced Learner Loans

If you are under 19 when you start your full-time study programme, you won't pay any tuition, examination or registration costs (except late fees, re-sit entries, unsupported entries and unauthorised exam absences). If you are aged 19-23 and starting a full-time study programme, you may pay a yearly tuition fee and the examination, registration and assessment costs.

If you are aged over 24 and would like to study a course or Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3, you may wish to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of your course fees. Once your loan has been approved, you may be eligible for assistance with the other costs of coming to college through the student bursary scheme.

Similarly, students aged 19+ will be able to apply for a loan to pay for their Level 3 qualification if they already have a full Level 3 qualification and are studying a subsequent one.

Student loans for higher education

If you are planning to start a full-time or part-time higher education course at a university or college, you will be able to apply for a student loan from the beginning of the calendar year in which your course starts. For more information go to visit the Student Loans Company website.

If you are returning to a higher education course at a university or college, you will need to re-apply for student finance each year.

Additional help and support

If you are studying whilst in receipt of benefits or other forms of financial assistance, or need support with personal issues including homelessness, please contact our Student Services team on 01604 734333.