Bursary/Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Bursary and EMA support may be available for a course that is at a non-advanced (FE) level.

Students under the age of 18 at the start date of the course will be assessed for EMA, which is currently awarded at £30 per week depending on household income.

Students aged 18 and over at the start date of the course will be assessed for a Bursary Maintenance Allowance which is awarded depending on household income and example of current rates are as follows:

  • Parentally Supported £99.35 per week
  • Self-Supporting £125.55 per week
  • Care Experienced £225 per week
  • Students remaining on Universal Credit £28 per week

In addition to maintenance allowance students may also qualify for study expenses and/or travelling expenses which will be assessed at time of application assessment.  Maximum of £60 per week travel depending on mileage from campus to home.  Under 2 miles from campus will not be eligible.

Further expenses for those students with additional support needs may also be available upon request.

Part-time Study

Certain categories of part –time students on non-advanced courses may apply for assistance with study and travel costs.  Some students with childcare costs may apply for assistance.

Accommodation Costs

This assistance from the Discretionary Fund Accommodation Assistance is intended to aid those students who are responsible for the mortgage or rental cost of the property they reside in whilst studying.

  • Students studying at both FE and HE level courses can apply.
  • Responsible student must be named on the mortgage or tenancy agreement for the property.
  • All household income is taken into consideration when assessing students eligibility for this fund. Students that have a household income above £32,000 will not be considered. (This is in line with the Universal Credit System).
  • £40 per week maximum allowance will be awarded to eligible students.

Childcare Assistance

Students who require childcare provision to allow them to attend college can apply to the Childcare Fund for support.

  • The fund can only cover formal, registered childcare costs for the days students are timetabled to attend college and course placement days. 
  • The maximum allowance that will be paid for any one student is £7,000.  The maximum allowance is not per child.
  • Only those students who qualify for bursary support at FE level and students’ at HE level who qualify for funding from SAAS/SLC can apply to the Childcare Fund for support.

Payments are made directly to your confirmed childcare provider every fortnight, in arrears provided you have met the minimum requirements of satisfactory attendance, conduct and full engagement on your course in each week. The expectation is that you will attend all your timetabled classes and use where necessary the procedure to cover any absences you may have had.  Unsatisfactory reports will result in non-payment of funds for the period reviewed. Part payment for part engagement of any week will not be made.

Further and Higher Education Discretionary Fund

This fund was formerly known as the Hardship Fund.

It is intended to help students who have the responsibility of paying rent/mortgage costs and are not living at home with a parent/guardian.  Documentary evidence of tenancy/mortgage agreements in the student’s name will be required to be submitted along with other supporting documentation which will be detailed upon making the application.

Only those students who qualify for bursary support at FE level, and students at HE level who qualify for funding from SAAS/SLC can apply to the Discretionary Fund for support. Students who are entitled to receive assistance from Department of Work and Pensions for Housing Benefit cannot receive assistance for accommodation costs.

All Accommodation Applications, if awarded, will be paid from the FE/HE Discretionary Funds depending on the course level. The maximum assistance towards accommodation costs offered per week is £60.  Payments are made directly into your nominated bank account every fortnight, in arrears provided you have met the minimum requirements of satisfactory attendance, conduct and full engagement on your course in each week. The expectation is that you will attend all your timetabled classes and use where necessary the procedure to cover any absences you may have had.  Unsatisfactory reports will result in non-payment of funds for the period reviewed. Part payment for part engagement of any week will not be made