College Bursary policy

Financial Support

The College bursary is designed to help students who are experiencing financial difficulty in accessing or completing their course. Funds can be provided to help towards the cost of travel, meals, books, equipment and essential materials needed for your courses. You must be under 19 on the 31 August in the year in which you start your programme of study.

There are two types of 16 – 19 Bursary:

Vulnerable Bursary

You may be eligible for a Vulnerable Bursary of up to £1,200 a year, plus travel and meals. If you are applying for Vulnerable Financial Support, you must have evidence of one or more of the qualifying elements below:

• in care or a care leaver or
• a young person receiving income support or Universal Credit (e.g. young parents, young people living independently) or
• a young person receiving both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance or Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments

You can apply for the Vulnerable Bursary throughout the academic year; however, the funds will be allocated pro-rata.

Income-Assessed Bursary Support

College will provide an income-assessed Bursary for students whose Parents/Guardians household income is below £30,000 or you meet the Free Meals criteria.

To be eligible for free meals the Government threshold for entitlement remains at £16,190.

If the household income is £34,000 or below the college may be able to provide support, but this depends on the availability of funding.

Free School Meal Criteria

• Income Support
• Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Guarantee Pension Credits
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit with net earnings no more than £7,400
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC

Industrial Placements Bursary Support

In the event of Industrial work placements being offered by the College, students may claim financial support to assist with additional expenses associated with placements e.g. travel, equipment, or clothing. This bursary has a higher income threshold:

• With Parents/Guardians household income of below £50,000
• Or you meet the Free Meal criteria

Care to Learn – Childcare

Care to Learn can help you with childcare costs while you study. You could receive up to £160 per week for each child. For more information and to make an application please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn

The college understands that circumstances may change throughout the year, any applications received after the deadline will be considered. Please note Bursary Funding is limited, when available funds have been allocated, the scheme will be closed to applications.

If you require any help or advice on making a bursary application, please contact Jill Carr on extension 2260 or email jcarr@cardinalnewman.ac.uk.