Vulnerable bursary

Students aged 16-18

The Vulnerable Bursary is a fund to help students from vulnerable groups with the costs associated with participating at College.

• Who can apply?

  Students from the following nominated groups may be eligible for a Vulnerable Bursary. This is based on a 30-week course, if your course is only for a few hours a week, runs for less than 30 weeks or your local authority cover your travel costs this amount will be reduced.  ​​

  • In care   ​
  • Care leavers ​
  • Receiving income support or Universal Credit 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 Allowance or Personal Independence Payments, in addition to Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit. All benefits must be received by the student in their own right.
    
    

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

• Who cannot apply?

  You will not be eligible for assistance if you are:

  • Under 16 years old on 31 August 2026
  • Over 19 years old on 31 August 2026*
  • Not in one of the groups listed above

  *If you are over 19 and have an EHCP (Education, Health & Care Plan), you can still apply.  Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you think you have an EHCP.

• What can the Vulnerable Bursary help with?

  Materials
  Your curriculum team will provide information for how to order any essential equipment and uniform which may covered from the 16-18 Vulnerable bursary fund. Equipment will be supplied through the College and there is no cash alternative. If you are applying for financial assistance, please wait for the outcome of your application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds. 

  Travel

  The Vulnerable Bursary may be used to cover your local travel costs.

  To be eligible for help with transport you must:

  • Be using public transport.
  • Not be eligible for assistance from your local authority or only eligible for subsidised travel: The bursary may be used for transport costs but does not replace the statutory transport duty local authorities have. In the case of subsidised travel, the College may agree to pay the supplement or provide an alternative suitable travel pass. If a bus pass is lost there will be a replacement fee of £15. We will only replace one bus pass per student per year.
  • A proportion of the bursary may be put aside for travel to and from universities where a student is going on visits or interviews prior to university entry.

  Should a train pass be lost, the college is unable to replace this, and it should be reported as lost to National Rail by following their policies.

• How do I apply?

  In the first instance, please make an application online by clicking in the link below:

  Vulnerable Bursary Application

  On completion of the form, the student, or their parent/carer should then contact Student Financial Support in person or on 01634 383300 to make an appointment to discuss their requirements in private with a Student Financial Support Officer. 

  To access the bursary, you will need to present official proof of your status within one of the nominated groups, this could be:   ​​

  • A letter from local authority confirming CLA/ Care Leaver status. This should include a breakdown of costs already covered by the local authority that supports you.  ​
  • A benefits award letter confirming receipt of Income Support/Universal Credit in your own right.  ​
  • A benefits award letter from Job Centre Plus and DWP confirming your receipt of PIP/DLA and ESA/UC in your own right.  ​​

  During this discussion you will work with the team member to decide how you would like to allocate your bursary: priority will be given to your travel and supporting materials for your course. ​​

• Attendance/Withdrawal

  Part or the entire award will be dependent on College attendance; attendance will be monitored regularly.

• 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 Support Team, MidKent College, Medway Campus, Medway Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 1FN or to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  
  Contact a student financial support adviser by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 01634 383300.