HOW YOU CAN BE ELIGIBILE

Household Income below £42,000

OR

Students recognised by their local authority as in care, a care leaver or living independently and receiving certain benefits directly*

*Students recognised by their local authority as in care, a care leaver or living independently and receiving certain benefits directly can claim the Learner Support fund via the Vulnerable Bursary scheme. This scheme will require evidence from your local authority to confirm your status for assessment purposes instead of household income.

Students aged 16-24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Eligibility

• Have an active EHCP
• The Local Authority have agreed to fund the chosen course

Entitlement

• There are no course fees

WHAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE

Travel costs: Students could be entitled to travel costs covered for timetabled classes. Students should apply for any concessionary or discounted travel passes that they are entitled to. 

Please visit the Student Travel web page to find out what you may be entitled to. 

Where possible, a travel pass will be awarded to students once eligible. In cases whereby this cannot be possible, an alternative solution will be arranged with you once your application has been completed.

Food Credit Allowance: Students who meet the government entitlement to free college meals will receive an allowance of £2.66 per full study day. We recommend you submit full income evidence in line with the 16-19 Learner Support Fund in order for an assessment to award a top up to £4.25 per full day of study. 

View the Free Meal Entitlement 2026/27 poster for further details. 

A daily contribution towards food costs will be awarded to students via a cashless system onto the student ID card. The College operate a cross-site initiative of cashless systems for both staff and students. Students will only be entitled to a food allowance per full day of study.

Students that are above the £42,000 threshold but meet the eligibility criteria for free college meals, the standard government allowance will be provided. 

Find out more about the food outlets in the College.

Study Programme Essentials: Study departments are required to confirm essential material expenses for courses that require students to buy materials for example, kits, uniforms, books and other pre-determined materials. If eligible, students will be required to submit receipts for any expenditure incurred that meets the study departments essential material requests. This includes any books, kit or trips.  

Please be aware that the refund for essential materials will be made in line with the costs approved by the department, please ensure you check the cost before purchasing to ensure you receive the refund. If you spend more than the approved cost of a kit, you will receive the refund in line with the approved cost only.