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Further Education Students

Further Education

What Financial Support Is On Offer?

The Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) provides the College with an annual funding allocation for discretionary bursary awards, which we distribute to College students in accordance with our policy and the ESFA’s funding guidelines

All current and prospective students can complete an application form (including providing relevant proof of income) for our Bursary Scheme. We will accept bursary applications throughout the school year; however, we advise students to apply as early as possible, ideally not later than the end the of September.

Completed applications forms and relevant proof of income must be submitted to TBC

There are 2 types of 16-19 bursary available to students in 2025-26:

  1. Vulnerable Bursary of up to £1,200 for students in most need
  2. Student Support Discretionary Bursary for students with a household whose gross income is £25,000 or less and/or receive qualifying benefits

Further information can also be found in the Education Skills Funding Agency document: 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide 2025-26 Academic Year.

Vulnerable Bursary

Those most in need may be eligible for a bursary of £1,200 a year. You may be eligible for this bursary if you are:

  • 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

Student Support Discretionary Bursary

In line with ESFA guidance. The College assesses every application on individual circumstances and may provide a discretionary bursary for students who come from a household whose gross annual income is £25,000 or less.

Students who wish to apply for the discretionary bursary must complete a bursary application form and provide proof of household income.  This fund may be used to cover costs such as textbooks, school lunches, UCAS application fees, course materials, uniform, travel, and essential course related visits. We are not able to provide certain groups of students, such as those in receipt of FSM or other benefits, with an automatic standard fixed-rate bursary award, as each award must be awarded on its own merits.

Students are required to specify on their application what help they consider they will need; however additional requests can be made during the year if additional help is required.  If your request relates to the use of equipment or books, you will be required to sign an agreement confirming that the items will be returned to the College after use.

Full details regarding the Student Bursary can be found by reading the Student Bursary Policy on our ‘Policies‘ page.