Help from the college
Last updated: 04/05/2022
This information explains who is eligible for financial help, what the money is for and how much you will get.
Who can get help from the college
To get money to pay tuition fees and to live on from the college you must be: –
- from the UK and
- have been living in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years or more and
- live in Scotland immediately before the first day of the first year of study and
- be studying an eligible further education course.
If you are from the EU, or do not meet these conditions, you may still be entitled to some support so should check with the college.
If you have had financial support for another course you may not get more or the amount you get may be reduced. Check with the college.
Money to live on while studying
The money you have to live on will be a combination of a bursary from the college, welfare benefits and earnings if you work while studying.
Which of these and how much you get depends on your circumstances.
Money to pay tuition fees
As long as you are eligible for help from the college you will not have to pay tuition fees unless you have already received this help in the past.
Maintenance bursary
The maintenance bursary is money to live on while you study. Most single parent (independent) students will be given one of 2 amounts depending on what other benefits you receive.
- You will get the full bursary, of £113.00 per week, if you are getting tax credits and/or Housing Benefit when you start studying. You will continue to get tax credits and Housing Benefit while at college but the bursary will replace Jobseekers allowance if you were getting it for yourself.
- If you are getting Universal Credit, or claim Universal Credit when you start your course, you will get a bursary of £28 per week. This amount is smaller than the full bursary so it does not affect your Universal Credit award.
If you are getting tax credits or Universal Credit you do not have to look for work or take a job if you also get a bursary while studying.
If you work at the same time as studying your earnings will affect how much Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit you get but will not affect the bursary.
Maintenance bursaries are discretionary so there is no guarantee you will get one.
Apply at the college.
If you are a single parent but live with your parents and they get benefits for you and your child, you will get the Educational Maintenance Allowance instead of a bursary.
Educational Maintenance Allowance
The Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a payment of £30 per week for 16-19 year olds who continue in further education after age 16. Bonuses are also available.
Students must be at school or college full time and have good attendance. The family income needs to be below £24,421 p/a or £26,884 p/a if more than one student in the family is eligible.
The EMA is paid fortnightly into the student’s bank account during term time and does not affect entitlement to other benefits.
Application packs are available from schools, colleges and the local council.
If you are living with your parents and they are getting benefits for you and your child you will get the EMA rather than a bursary if eligible.
Your children may get the EMA if they stay on at school after leaving age.
Care Experienced Bursary
If you are 16 or over and have ever been in the care of the local authority you can apply for the Care Experienced Bursary rather than a maintenance bursary. Care includes having been in foster, kinship and residential care.
The bursary is £202.50 per week. It will affect Universal Credit so you may be better off getting the £28 maintenance bursary instead. The college will calculate which is best for you.
Contact the college for more information and to apply.
Help to pay for childcare
You can get up to £1,215 p/a towards the cost of registered childcare from the Lone Parent Childcare Grant if you are studying full-time. There may also be extra money available from discretionary funds. Help with childcare costs does not affect any welfare benefits or bursary you are getting.
Apply through the college.
Discretionary funds
This money is available directly from the college usually to help pay for things like books, equipment, travel and childcare costs. Discretionary funds are limited so the college decides how much to give based on your individual circumstances.
This money does not affect welfare benefits or the bursary.
If you have financial difficulties while studying you should always ask a student financial adviser if there is help from the discretionary fund before leaving your course.
Travel expenses
You may get help towards paying for travel to college.
This money does not affect welfare benefits or the bursary.
Ask at the college for details.
Money for disabled students
There is specific support and financial help for students with an illness or disability that affects their ability to study or attend college.
If you are affected by a disability or illness contact the college for information on how they can help.