Discretionary financial support

Information for students aged 16-18

• The Discretionary Bursary

  The Discretionary Bursary (DB) are funds allocated to the College by the government to enable us to help students aged 16-18 in financial difficulty, with a low household income, to help overcome any individual financial barriers they may face participating at college.

  • Any student aged 16 and over as of the 31st August 2025 whose household income is below £35,000 can apply.  Income will be assessed from the evidence you supply, this could include P60, Universal Credit, Tax Credits Award Notice, Child Benefit Award Notice, Housing Benefit Award Letter and Council Tax Award Letter.
  • If students are aged 16–18 and living with parents this will be based on the household income 
  • Awards under the DB are subject to attendance and behaviour criteria. Awards will not be made where a student’s attendance is below 85%
  • DB funds are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis

  Students aged 19 and over who have an Education & Health Care Plan (EHCP), or those continuing on the same study programme, may also receive help with essential kit, equipment, books, uniform, compulsory UK trips that are essential to your study programme. 

  Eligibility does not guarantee that an award will be made. All applications are confidential.

• Who cannot apply?

  Students will not be eligible for assistance if they are:

  Under 16 years old on 31 August 2025
  Mandated to undertake a course of study by Job Centre Plus
  A learner who is in prison or young offenders institute on day release
  An asylum seeker aged 19 or over
  On a higher education course
  A learner who is on a waged Work Based Learning program or waged apprenticeship
  
  

• What can the DB help with?

  Travel
  
  To be eligible for help with travel costs the student must be using public transport to travel to College and live more than 1.5 miles walking distance from the campus they attend. They should also:

  • Have a household income of £35,000 or under 
  • Be studying at the College nearest to their home that offers their chosen course 

  Travel awards under the DB are subject to attendance and behaviour criteria and awards will not continue to be made where a student’s attendance is below 85%.

  Materials
  
  The DB may be able to help with essential kit, equipment, uniform, UK trips, books and food (food assistance is only available for 16-18 year olds with a household income below £16,190). Where possible the College will purchase these materials on the student’s behalf to secure the best possible price.

  Please note we are unable to offer refunds.

  Non consumable materials paid for by the DB schemes remain the property of the College and students may be requested to return them at the end of their course.

  Students under 20 and in need of childcare assistance should apply for the Care to Learn Scheme. You can get Care to Learn if all of the following apply to you: ​

  • you’re a parent under 20 at the start of your course ​
  • you’re the main carer for your child ​
  • you live in England ​
  • you’re either a British citizen or have a legal right to live and study in England ​
  • your course qualifies ​
  • your childcare provider qualifies ​

  ​To apply for this, make an application to the 16-18 Discretionary bursary on the MidKent College website and select childcare support for those aged 16-20 when prompted. More information is available at https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn. Care to Learn can also help with the cost of transport to and from the chosen childcare provider provided the total of the childcare and travel costs does not exceed the Care to Learn maximum weekly amount (£180 per child per week). 

  Attendance/Withdrawal
  
  The DB is an attendance based award; attendance will be monitored regularly. Failure to achieve 85% attendance may result in funding not being available or being withdrawn.

   All equipment/uniform/kit/books purchased from the DB remain the property of MidKent College. When the student’s course finishes or if they withdraw from their course they may be required to return all items.

• Appeals

  If you believe your application has been incorrectly assessed, you have the right to appeal. Your appeal must be in writing and should include details of the additional information you would like us to consider. Please address appeals to: Student Finance Hub, MidKent College, Medway Campus, Medway Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 1FN or email to student.finance@midkent.ac.uk
  
  *Students who are taking advantage of the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan should apply for help through the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary.

Information for students aged 19+

• The Discretionary Learner Support Fund

  The discretionary Learner Support Fund (dLSF) are funds allocated to the College by the government to enable us to help students aged 19 or over in financial difficulty with a low household income to help them overcome any financial barriers they may face participating at College.

• Who can apply?

  • Any student whose household income is below £35,000 can apply. Income will be assessed from the evidence you supply, this could include P60, Tax Credits Award Notice, Housing Benefit Award Letter and Council Tax Awards Letter.
  • For students aged 19 and over, calculations will be based on the income that the student (or where applicable the student and their partner) received. 
  • Awards under dLSF are subject to attendance and behaviour criteria. Awards will not be made where a student’s attendance is below 85%.

  dLSF funds are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis

  Eligibility does not guarantee that an award will be made. All applications are confidential.

• Who cannot apply?

  Students will not be eligible for assistance if they are:

  •  Mandated to undertake a course of study by Job Centre Plus 
  • A learner who is in prison or young offenders institute on day release 
  • An asylum seeker aged 19 or over 
  • On a higher education course 
  • A learner who is on a waged Work Based Learning program or waged apprenticeship
  • Over 19 and undertaking a level 3 or above course*

• What can the dLSF help with?

  Travel

  To be eligible for help with travel costs the student must be using public transport to travel to College and live more than 1.5 miles walking distance from the campus they attend. They should also:

  • Have a household income of £35,000 or under 
  • Be studying at the College nearest to their home that offers their chosen course 

  Travel awards under the dLSF are subject to attendance and behaviour criteria and awards will not continue to be made where a student’s attendance is below 85%.

  Trips

  
  The dLSF 19+ may be able to help with compulsory UK trips that are essential to your study programme.

  Non consumable materials paid for by the dLSF scheme remain the property of the College and students may be requested to return them at the end of their course.

  Childcare
  
  The dLSF may be able to assist with the cost of childcare if students are aged 20 or over at the start of their course. Students will be required to make arrangements with their own local OFSTED registered childcare provider. The College’s childcare contribution will not exceed £60 per full day (£35 per half day) and £20 per afterschool club per child and is only payable for the days/hours that the student is in College or on placement. Payment for childcare will be made directly to the childcare provider by BACS and will not be released unless signed College agreements are in place with both the learner and the childcare provider. The primary contract remains in place between the student and the childcare provider, the student remains liable under that contract should the College not agree to release funds for sessions where the student did not fulfil the criteria.

  ​Students under 20 and in need of childcare assistance should apply for the Care to Learn Scheme. You can get Care to Learn if all of the following apply to you: ​

  • you’re a parent under 20 at the start of your course ​
  • you’re the main carer for your child ​
  • you live in England ​
  • you’re either a British citizen or have a legal right to live and study in England ​
  • your course qualifies ​
  • your childcare provider qualifies ​

  To apply for this, make an application for the 16-18 Discretionary bursary on the MidKent College website and select Childcare support when prompted. More information is available at Care To Learn. Care to Learn can also help with the cost of transport to and from the chosen childcare provider.  ​

       ​

   Attendance/Withdrawal
  
  The dLSF is an attendance based award; attendance will be monitored regularly. Failure to achieve 85% attendance may result in funding not being available or being withdrawn.

  All equipment/uniform/kit/books purchased from the DB and dLSF remain the property of MidKent College. When the student’s course finishes or if they withdraw from their course they may be required to return all items.

• Appeals

  If you believe your application has been incorrectly assessed, you have the right to appeal. Your appeal must be in writing and should include details of the additional information you would like us to consider. Please address appeals to: Student Finance Hub, MidKent College, Medway Campus, Medway Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 1FN or email to: student.finance@midkent.ac.uk  
  
  *Students who are taking advantage of the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan should apply for help through the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary.