Financial
Support 16–18

If you are aged 16–18, you do not pay course fees for our funded courses or any mandatory activities.

The College also offers extra support for students from low-income households. We know that money can be a barrier to learning, so our bursaries are designed to help those who need it most.

As part of your application, you will be asked some questions about your financial situation. This helps us assess need fairly. The questions are not meant to cause embarrassment or discrimination. Our policy includes a section on Equality and Diversity.

You will need to provide two pieces of financial evidence, for example:

• Wage slips

• Universal Credit statements

• An employment contract showing your gross monthly or annual wages

One of these must be dated within three months of your course start date.
For example, if your course begins on 15 September 2025, one piece of evidence must be dated after 15 May 2025.

Students in certain vulnerable groups may receive up to £1,200 per year in support. This is not paid automatically — you must provide evidence of your circumstances. The amount may be increased with help from the Discretionary Bursary if needed.

Support can include:

• Travel

• Lunch

• Educational visits

• Essential equipment or uniform

You may be eligible if one of the following applies:

1. You are in (or have recently left) local authority care

2. You receive Income Support or Universal Credit because you support yourself financially

3. You receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit

4. You receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and either ESA or Universal Credit

Please note: the College does not provide laptops or tablets under this bursary. A national scheme may provide these through your social worker. If you do not have a social worker, you can ask the Study Hub about borrowing a college laptop.

If you are a disadvantaged student, you may be entitled to free meals while at college. You are considered disadvantaged if you or your parents receive any of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (if not entitled to Working Tax Credit, and with a gross annual income of £16,190 or less, as assessed by HMRC)

• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after stopping work)

• Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding £7,400 per year (after tax and not including benefits)

Breakfast is also available to all 16–18 learners between 8.30am and 9.30am on the days you are in college.

All T Level programmes include a 45-day work placement. The College may be able to help with extra costs, such as travel or equipment, if you need to travel further for your placement.

To receive this support, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Discretionary Bursary section.

Download the NX Bus Ticket app and set up your account with a password.

Once your PayMyStudent application has been approved, your bus pass will automatically be uploaded to the app.

The free school meal allowance is added to your ID card make sure you bring it with you every day. It can be presented in the Student café area at point of payment.

Any other financial support your require, which may include educational visits, equipment and other relevant course costs, will be organised by your tutor. However, if you are having other financial difficulties that are not included within this application process, please speak to the Student Hub team for advice.