Funding for students aged 18 to 24 years

Funding for your living costs

If you are eligible for funding to cover your tuition fees, you may also qualify for student support funding to help with your living costs.

If you parental / household income is £24,275 or below, you could receive a potential award of:

• Bursary Maintenance of £99.35 per week or £125.55 per week if you are living away from home and still dependant on parents
• Travel Award
• Study Costs
• Tuition Fees

Please note: If you parental / household income is over £24,275 then a reduced rate may be paid, or a NIL award depending on income.

Childcare funding

Childcare funding is available to assist with the cost of childcare with registered childcare providers while you attend college classes or placements or course work remotely. As funds are limited, there is a cap on the amount of childcare that can be paid to you. Therefore, please be aware that your childcare costs may not be covered in full.

Childcare funding is paid in arrears direct to the student on receipt of completed childcare expense claim forms. Payment can be made direct to childcare provider if funding team advised. Childcare expense claim forms can be found on your student hub. Please note that it is your responsibility for paying your childcare costs until the childcare award has been made.

Discretionary handship funding

The Discretionary Hardship fund can assist students who experience financial difficulty while are college. Any award from this fund is non-repayable.

The fund is primarily used to help with rent / accommodation costs for students in financial hardship with no access to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

To be considered for accommodation assistance, you will need to have a tenancy in your name and be registered at that address for council tax purposes. Full time students qualify for Council Tax Exemption but still need to be registered at the property.

Emergency payments may also be made from this fund, and these are considered on an individual basis. This fund is means tested.

Evidence you will need to provide:

• Proof of accommodation costs – Mortgage / Tenancy Agreement / Lodgers Agreement
• Council Tax Letter
• Two month’s recent and consecutive bank statements
• Three months’ recent and consecutive payslips

Please note: You must tick the discretionary hardship box on the first page of the application process. If you wish to apply after you have submitted your application, you should request a ‘Re-assessment/Appeal’ through your Student Hub.

Additional support fund

Additional Support funding can be used to cover additional study-related expenses that arise as a result of your disability.

This allowance offers help towards specialist equipment, classroom support and travel costs because you need taxi transport to get to College.

These funds are not means tested on family income but do require an assessment by the College’s Additional Support Need team.

If you have a disability or additional support need, please contact the Additional Support team who will be pleased to discuss your requirements.