What is LSF?

LSF stands for the Learner Support Fund and it can help students who are struggling with finances to pay for things such as travel, food, essential course materials and childcare. The funds* are provided to College by the government to assist us in removing financial barriers to learning.

*Funding is available for students that receive a course fee waiver. Not all students are guaranteed financial support with support provided on actual costs of studying basis.

Who can apply for the Learner Support Fund (LSF)?

Students studying in Further Education are entitled to apply for financial support throughout the academic year.

If aged 19+, please ensure you check with the Information team about your course fee requirements and eligibility for fee waivers as this may impact the type of support available.

Students on a full-fee payable course are  not entitled to student funding. 

Can I still apply for funding without the correct evidence?

No, unfortunately not. The OnTrack application requires you to submit evidence before it will allow you to submit anything to us. It is required that we have this before we can process your application.

I am in care/a care leaver. Do I need to provide evidence of household income?

No, we will only need to see a document confirming this. It can be in the form of an official council letter, or a letter from your social worker. We still need you to apply for LSF, but this would be the only evidence that we require from you.

How long does it take for my application to be processed?

Due to the volume of applications we receive, please allow for 10 working days, or two full weeks, for your application to be processed. If you have missing evidence, this will delay your application and funding. We will only begin to assess your application once the complete form and correct evidence is received.

How do I know if my application has been processed?

You will receive an award email to your College email address and the email address you provided on your application form. Please ensure that you use an email address that you have access to.

My form hasn’t been processed yet and I have started my course, when will I receive funding?

Applications take up to 10 working days to be processed. If it has passed 10 working days, or two full weeks, and you haven’t received any confirmation, please call 01226 216 267 to confirm the status of your application.

How do I claim funding for childcare?

You must be studying in Further Education to be entitled to childcare costs.

To apply for childcare funding, please visit Student Services team, based in the Old Mill Lane campus, and speak with an adviser.

What do I do if I don’t have a bank account?

You can still apply for LSF as normal. We recommend opening a bank account regardless, in preparation for LSF as well as any future endeavours. If you would like help with opening an account, please email studentfunding@barnsley.ac.uk with your name and student number. We have a partnership with Virgin Money and can refer you for opening an account.

I have an Advanced Learner Loan, can I still apply for LSF?

Yes, you can still apply for LSF. However, you will only be entitled to either childcare OR travel payments, as it is expected that your loan will cover the rest of what you need.

Does LSF automatically continue from one year to the next?

No. Students make an application for the current academic year they are studying in. This means students must re-apply in full every academic year with full updated household income evidence.

If I change course, would my LSF entitlement stay the same?

LSF tends to stay the same unless your class dates change. If you are in College for more or less days, you will need to get your tutor to contact us to let us know so that we can change your funding accordingly.

The only thing that would be likely to change with a change in course is the amount that College pays for course materials, as each course requires different materials for study.

You may need to supply more evidence, if the three-month mark has passed.

When will I receive my LSF payments?

Students will receive in-kind support where cost efficiently possible. Payments via banks will be limited to students based on travel costs from hard to reach areas or reimbursements for course materials. You will be contacted via email on any specific payments that are made.

How does paying for course materials work?

Generally, we would ask that you purchase materials and send us a receipt, so that we can reimburse the cost.

For courses such as Hair and Beauty or Catering, a tutor within your department will order this on your behalf. 

If you are unable to buy materials yourself first, it is worth speaking to your tutor, as we may be able to reimburse your department for the materials, instead.

When providing Universal Credit evidence, what does it need to show?

We need you to click into each month and send us a full statement from each month. You can generally do this by clicking the ‘print’ button and selecting ‘print to pdf’ under the printer option. This allows you to save them to your documents to attach to your application.

What travel help can I get from the Learner Support Fund?

In order to receive support with travel payments, you must live more than a mile away from college. LSF covers the cheapest form of transport for you to attend classes, and it is important to apply for any concessionary passes for transport that you can. You will be provided with either a payment to cover transport costs, or the most appropriate bus pass for you.

Please see the following link to all concessionary passes available for travel in South Yorkshire: Student Travel 

I am on a work placement and cannot use my food credits, what should I do?

If you are required to essentially carry out work placement as part of your qualification, please ask your tutor to contact Student funding directly to confirm this. Funding may be available for students when on placements.

*Please be aware this does not include volunteering or if you are been paid/rewarded employment.

Can LSF help with the cost of my course?

No. Course fees are not covered through LSF. If you require financial support with your course fees, please check with our Information Unit by emailing info@barnsley.ac.uk or calling 01226 216 123.

My question isn't answered, how do I contact the Student Services' Funding team?

You can contact the team by:

• visiting Student Services who are based in the Old Mill Lane campus
• completing the Student Services form below
• emailing studentfunding@barnsley.ac.uk
• calling 01226 216 267