If you’re between 16-18, you shouldn’t have to pay any course or exam fees at College, but
there are some things you may need to pay for such as:
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Food
Travel
Childcare
Course Materials
Some students may be able to get some support to pay for these things. This help sheet is
designed to provide information about the financial support and travel options available for
certain students who are applying for College/Sixth form for September 2014. Please be
aware that this support changes each year, so when you get to College you will need to ask
what financial support is available.
If you are a young parent (16-19) you can get financial support for:
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your childcare, including deposit and registration fees
a childcare taster session for up to 5 days
keeping your childcare place over the summer holidays
taking your child to their childcare provider
To qualify for this, you need to be attending a publicly funded course in England such as
those offered by Colleges and 6th forms, live in England, be the main carer for your child
and be either a British Citizen or a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) country.
Your learning provider can tell you if you are eligible.
The Government has put money aside for Colleges to support students who may need a bit
of extra financial support. Students who do not have access to parental support (do not live
with their parents or family) and those receiving certain benefits like Income Support can
get some money for attending College (this is often based on attendance). This can help
these students to meet the costs associated with studying, such as travel and food costs.
Visit College websites or speak to staff at your interview if you think you may be entitled to
the 16-19 Bursary.
Some students who do not meet these criteria may still be able to get help through the
Discretionary Fund. These can be in the form of weekly or one off payments for students
who may be facing financial hardship. Each College sets its own criteria for their
Discretionary Funds. Some of these are listed below.
Bury College offer a free coach service to students who live in certain areas of Greater
Manchester, to get to College and back each day. The free coach services Bury North,
Rochdale, Rawtenstall, Littleborough, Middleton, Heywood, Bolton, North Manchester and
Moston. This service is completely free for all school leaver students who are enrolled to
study a course at Bury College but places are limited.
Bury also offer some financial support to students to pay for the costs associated with
attending College. This is based on eligibility criteria, so only available to students in
financial need. To find out more you can talk to Learner Services at the Millennium Centre
0161 280 8421 or ask for more information at open days/interviews.
The Manchester College School Leavers Award is available to support students who may be
facing financial difficulty. Financial support is available to support students with:
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Travel
Food
Identified Desirable Kit and equipment
Trips and Visits relating to your course
If your household income is less than £16, 190 you may be eligible for this support. To find
out more you can speak to staff at interview or call into your nearest campus.
In addition to the 18-19 Bursary, Stockport College also offer a Learner Support Fund for
students in financial need but who don’t meet the eligibility criteria for the 16-19 Bursary.
This is to help students with the costs associated with College such as travel and course
materials.
Stockport College also run a Free College Meal Scheme for some of their students (16-18)
who received free School meals in High School. In order to receive this support student must
meet additional eligibility criteria, which you can find in the student support section of the
College website www.stockport.ac.uk
Speak to the Student Financial Support Team to find out more and see if you are eligible for
any help.
In addition to the 16-19 bursary, Xaverian offer the following financial support for students:
£15 a week Discretionary Bursary – This is a discretionary payment for students who do no
receive the 16-19 bursary but who fall within the following categories:
a) Students who received free school meals in year 11
b) Students from a household where the total income is below £16,000
c) A registered carer for a relative
Learner Support Funds – These are funds available to support students with cots associated
with College such as trips, specialist equipment, transport, interviews etc. This support is
available to students who apply and are deemed in need and each application is considered
on an individual basis.
There are many more Colleges offering financial and travel support to students across
Greater Manchester. If you are worried about the costs associated with attending College
and unsure if you are eligible for support contact Colleges directly or discuss this with staff
during your College interviews. Most Colleges offer some form of support to students who
are in need, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.