How can I tell whether I am eligible for the financial help, through Student Finance?
Take a look at the online calculator, to see whether you meet the criteria for the specific awards that are on offer for your age group
Student Finance Eligibility Calculator
What evidence do I need to produce to support my application?
If you are aged between 16-18 years of age, the criteria is a household income of less than £20K and your parent/guardian must be receiving one of the following benefits:
- Income Support/Universal Credit
- Income based Job Seekers allowance
- Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Working/Child Tax Credit (Child Tax Credit can be taken as long as it quotes income)
Or
- You are currently in the care of the Local Authority or have left their care
- You as the student, is receiving one of the following in your own right:
- Income Support or Universal Credit
- Both Income Support or Universal Credit plus Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments
- Receiving Universal Credit
If you are aged over 19 years of age, the criteria for household income remains the same as above, and one of the following will be required as evidence:
- Income Support
- Employment Support Allowance
- Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Working/Child Tax Credit (Child Tax Credit can be taken as long as it quotes income
- P60 of all household members dated 5 April 2020.
If you have applied for the Advanced Learner Loan – a copy of the award letter needs to be submitted as well.
Remember all evidence must be dated within 6 months and state your correct address as recorded on our system. Please remember to update any changes of address, as this may delay your application.
Dependent upon what level you are studying will depend on which award you apply for. If you are studying a Level 3 qualification you will need to apply for the Advanced Learner Loan award, unless you have received a waiver of the fee. In this case then they you can apply for the 19+ Discretionary Learning Support Fund.
What will I get with my bursary?
If you are 16-18 years of age and successful with your application, then you will be eligible for the Free College Meal, the additional cost that go alongside your course ie books and materials and a weekly contribution towards the cost of travel to College. If you are eligible for the Vulnerable Bursary you will receive a weekly payment which includes travel costs.
If you are over the age of 19 on a Level 2 or below qualification, and you are liable for the tuition fee, you can apply for the Aspire Grant, which will help towards these costs, but will not cover it all. Remember if this the case, you will need to set up a payment plan. The additional costs of their course will be covered. On the condition that the student lives over 3 miles away from the College, then they will receive a weekly contribution towards the cost of travel.
If you have applied and been award an Advanced Learner Loan, you may be eligible to apply for help towards the cost of travel, as long as they live over 3 miles from the College and met the criteria for the household income of less than £20K.
If you require Childcare funding to support your studies whilst at the College, the additional part of the Bursary section of the Enrolment portal will need to be completed fully. The College will cover your hours in College as timetabled plus travel time. Payment will be made, in arrears, directly to the Ofsted Registered Provider, for term time only (36 weeks).
How do I apply?
Sign into your account on the Enrolment Portal and complete the Bursary tab. Remember you will need to upload all pages of the evidence at the same time, otherwise your application will be delayed
I don’t meet the criteria for any of the above bursaries, what else could I apply for?
The College also offers the following financial assistance for this groups of students:
- HE Maintenance/Care Leaver Bursary
- LAC Apprenticeship Bursary
- Apprenticeship Travel Bursary
Details of the above can be found by following the link below.
You can also find details of the Dorset Community Foundations Bursaries on the same page.
Remember before applying, please read the criteria carefully to see whether you would be eligible.
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