Are you starting College with us in September? Are you worried about student finance and not sure where to look? We’ve got you covered! Student finance can be a scary process, especially if this is the first time you’ve had to deal with it.
We’ve put together some useful information and contact details below which should help make it an easier and less stressful process.
Financial support is available for eligible students in both the 16-18 and 19+ categories.
Check your eligibility for the 2025/2026 academic year
Financial support for 16–18-year-olds:
If you're aged between 16-18 at the start of your course and your household income is less than £35,000 per year then you can apply for the Discretionary Bursary. This is a government-allocated fund which may be able to help with the cost of essential equipment, uniform, food, travel, UK compulsory trips and childcare. Find out more information about the Discretionay Bursary here
If you are a student from one of the groups listed below, then you could apply for the Vulnerable Bursary:
- Young people in care
- Care leavers (those who are engaged with the Local Authority ‘Leaving Care’ team)
- Young people in receipt of Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) in their own right, with their own tenancy agreement
- Young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) and who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) who have their own tenancy agreement
Financial support for 19+:
- Discretionary Learner Support Fund – this is a government allocated fund for students aged 19+ with a household income below £35,000. It may be able to help with the cost of essential equipment, uniform, food, travel, UK compulsory trips and childcare. Find out more information here
- Advanced Learner Loan Bursary – this is for students who are 19+ and who have been approved for the 19+ Advanced Leaner Loan and have a household income below £35,000. Find out more information here
Financial support for both 16-18 and 19+:
- Free College Meals – this is available for students with a household income below £16,190 and students aged 19-24 who have an EHCP or LDA and meet the criteria. Find out more information here
- If you’re not eligible for financial help, find out more about:
If you have any questions or need a bit of extra support, don’t worry — help is available. You can speak to one of our Student Financial Support Advisers by calling 01634 383300 or by emailing
