Bursaries

To qualify for FCM, you must be:

• Over 16, but under 19*, on August 31 2026

AND either you, or the parent/carer with whom you live, must evidence receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Households in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee element of Pension Credit may also be entitled to a meal.

*students aged 19 or older can apply for FCM if they have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) or are continuing a study programme started between the ages of 16 and 18. Full FCM eligibility criteria can be found here.

If eligible, you will be able to claim a meal from the college catering facilities. Where you are also eligible for the Discretionary or Vulnerable bursaries, the standard £2.66 FCM award may be enhanced using these funds.

To apply for the Discretionary Bursary, you must meet the following criteria:

• Over 16, but under 19*, on August 31 2026
• Have lived in the UK for at least three years before starting your studies
• Live in a household with a take home (net) pay of less than £35,000 per annum (this roughly equates to a monthly average of £2,900 net). We do not include benefit payments in our income calculation.

*students aged 19 or older can apply for a Discretionary Bursary if they have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) or are continuing a study programme started between the ages of 16 and 18.

The income threshold is discretionary, and we may review our eligibility threshold in-year.

The Discretionary Bursary could cover:

• Support with the cost of travel to college – e.g. discounts on college bus passes and weekly support payments covering up to 75% of the cost of rail fares.
• Essential course costs – e.g. uniform, equipment, and textbooks (returnable at the end of your studies).

We require evidence of your household income. For households in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) we require the last 3 UC statements (this will also prove eligibility for Free College Meals).

To qualify for the Vulnerable Bursary, you must be:

• Over 16, but under 19, on August 31 2026 and meet at least one of the following criteria:

AND meet at least one of the following criteria:

• In care
• A Care Leaver
• Receiving Universal Credit (UC) in your own name because you are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone dependent on, and living with, you (e.g. child or partner).
• Receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in addition to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC – all benefits must be received by the student, in their own right (receipt of DLA or PIP alone does not meet the criteria).

Students aged 19 or over are not eligible for the Vulnerable Bursary however, they may be eligible for a Discretionary Bursary. Full guidance can be found here. If eligible, you may receive up to £1,200 per academic year however, you will receive only the amount needed to participate in your studies.

To qualify for the 19+ Bursary, you must meet the following criteria :

• Aged 19 or older on August 31 2026
• Lived in the UK for at least three years before starting your studies

Have a personal, take home (net) pay, of less than £35,000 per annum. We do not include benefit payments in our income calculation and, if you live with a parent/guardian, we do not include their income in this calculation.

The 19+bursary could cover:

• Up to a 75% contribution towards the cost of travel to college (including fuel costs)
• A contribution towards the cost of course-specific memberships (e.g. AAT), textbooks, etc.
• Subsidised exam resits

Childcare funding
Childcare funding may be available if you are aged 20 or over. To qualify for childcare funding, you must use an Ofsted registered childcare provider and use childcare support from other sources, such as two-year-old and three-year-old funding, and any Tax Credits or Universal Credit contributions.

This funding is intended to support with childcare costs during scheduled classes but not independent study.

Funds will be paid directly to the childcare provider upon receipt of a monthly or termly invoice.

19+ bursaries include the ALLB and the 19+ LSF.