Financial support

There are a number of funding options available to you while you’re studying.

We can help you access the financial support you need. Our support is available for everyone including people:

  • Taking their first steps into further education
  • Continuing their studies into higher education
  • Making a new start by re-skilling

Our Student Services Advisers are always on hand to give you information about what you are eligible for. We can help you with:

  • Funding advice
  • Advanced-learner loans
  • Payment options
  • Childcare costs.

Financial support for school leavers aged 16-18

Bursaries and Learner Support Fund

A student must be aged 16 or over but under 19 at 31 August before their course starts to be eligible for support from the bursary fund.

There are two types of 16 to 18 bursaries:

  • Discretionary bursaries to help with the cost of transport, meals, books, uniform and equipment.
  • Vulnerable bursaries of up to £1,200 a year for young people in one of the defined vulnerable groups.

Discretionary bursaries

Students aged 16-18, from low income households, can apply for one of a number of bursaries. If you’re eligible, this scheme can help with course-related costs and travel.

The funds may be able to support course fees, travel costs, childcare, books, equipment and course trips.

The fund is limited so make sure you apply early to the Learner Support Fund for 16 – 18 year olds

You can also read our Learner Support Fund fact sheet.

You will need to complete this form using Adobe Reader to ensure you can digitally sign them. If you do not have this software, it can be downloaded for free.

Vulnerable bursaries

You may be guaranteed a bursary if you are aged between 16-18 and are:

  • in care
  • a care leaver
  • an Income Support recipient
  • a disabled young person in receipt of both ESA and DLA or PIP

Support for young parents

If you are a parent aged under 20 at the start of your course, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and travel costs while you are attending college. To find out more, visit Care to Learn or call 0800 121 8989.

You must then book an appointment with an advisor before submitting your application form. You can do this by calling 0117 312 5000, emailing welfare@cityofbristol.ac.uk.

Once you have completed these steps, download the Childcare Provider Application Form.

Free college meals

If your parent or guardian receives certain benefits, you may be eligible for free meals.

To be eligible for free meals, you must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August before your course starts, or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and be in receipt of, or have parents in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseekers 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 (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and meet the income threshold, as assessed by HMRC)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on
  • Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the stipulated threshold

Eligible students will be entitled to a free meal allowance each day for timetabled activities. Free meals funding is available to the student from the point of a successful bursary application and cannot be backdated.

Application forms are available from Student Services. For more information, call us on 0117 312 5000 or email lsf@cityofbristol.ac.uk

Financial support for adults aged over 19

Advanced Learner Loan

If you’re over 19 on 31 August and wanting to study a Level 3 or 4 course, you could qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Rather than paying for your Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 course upfront, there may be an option of taking a loan with the Student Loans Company. You won’t start repaying the loan until you have finished the course and are earning over a certain amount.

The loan doesn’t depend on your current income and there are no credit checks. It’s an ideal way to help you take the next step or give yourself the freedom to retrain.

Find out more about getting an Advanced Learner Loan

Free tuition on certain courses

Did you know that you may be eligible for free tuition on certain courses? This depends on your age, the level of your course, your previous qualifications and if you’re in receipt of certain benefits.

If you’re aged 19 – 23 and do not currently hold a full Level 2 qualification or above, you may be eligible to learn for free when you enrol on your first full Level 2 or first full Level 3 course.

If you’re aged 19 or over, and are unemployed and in receipt of one of the following benefits and wanting to enrol on a course to gain skills to enter employment, you may be eligible for free tuition on many of our courses:

  • Jobseekers’ Allowance
  • Employment Support Allowance (ESA) in the work-related activity group
  • Council Tax Benefit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Universal Credits
  • Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment
  • Partner receives Working Tax Credit and you are named on the document.

If you’re aged 19 or over, and are employed earning less than the stipulated threshold, you may be eligible for free tuition on many of our courses.

For more information, please contact us.

Learner Support Fund

The Learner Support Fund is available to help you with course related costs such as travel to and from College, fees, kits, uniform and trips. Some students may also get help with childcare costs through this scheme.

Funds are limited and we recommend students apply early (during the summer holiday) to the Learner Support Fund for students aged 19+. We cannot guarantee to help every student. 

You can also read our Learner Support Fund fact sheet.

You will need to complete this form using Adobe Reader to ensure you can digitally sign them. If you do not have this software, it can be downloaded for free.

 

Pay for your course in instalments

If your course costs more than £300 and lasts longer than six months, you can spread the cost by paying in instalments.

You will pay your instalments by Direct Debit payments.

We can discuss your payment options with you when you apply or enquire.

Please note, courses that cost under £300 or running for under six months are not eligible for direct debit payment.

Future Bright

Future Bright may be able to help you pay for a course or equipment.

Future Bright supports adults aged 19+ who live in the West of England and meet the eligibility criteria.

You can find out more and sign up on the Future Bright website.

Financial support for university-level courses

A university education may seem like a large expense, but don’t let the costs stop you. Did you know that you don’t have to start repaying a loan until you’ve finished your course and you’re earning over a certain amount?

Remember:

  • Financial support is available
  • College is often less expensive than other local universities
  • You stand a better chance of earning more with a university degree

Higher Education Progression Bursary

A bursary of up to £900 will be allocated to students who study an eligible full Level 3 course with City of Bristol College and enrol on the first year of eligible higher education courses.

The bursary is calculated as a percentage of the course tuition fees, and will be paid in three equal instalments to eligible students during the first year of study at City of Bristol College. The bursary instalments will be paid individually, on the College’s receipt of each instalment of tuition fees during the first year of study (this is usually October, January, April).

If a student withdraws, or is withdrawn, from a specified course prior to the College’s receipt of a tuition fee instalment, the College will not be liable for the subsequent payment of a related higher education bursary instalment payment.

The bursary excludes all students where their course fees are paid by a sponsor (e.g. employer). Acceptance of the bursary will be taken as the acceptance of all of the above terms and conditions.

The form to apply for the Higher Education Progression Bursary can be found here

Higher Education Student Financial Support Fund (Hardship Fund)

This fund is to support students who are experiencing hardship and may not be able to complete their course without financial help from the college. The fund is limited and finite, and you must speak to a welfare officer before making an application to the fund. We will need details and evidence of your financial situation, which will include bank statements. 

If your student loan is late coming in, we may be able to provide a bridging loan, which will be repayable on receipt of your student loan.

To apply for the Higher Education Student Financial Support Fund, please speak with your tutor to discuss before completing an application. 

The Student Financial Support Fund For Higher Education application form can be found here

You can view and download the assessment guidance (pdf) for more detailed information on how we assess applications.

Loans for full-time students

The following student finance is available for full-time students. Students need to be eligible for student loans and can’t already have a qualification of an equivalent level.

Returning and new students can apply online now for student support – you don’t need to wait until you’ve been accepted on a course. To find out more and apply online, visit the Student Finance England website or call 0300 100 0607.

Tuition fee loan

A tuition fee loan allows you to borrow the cost of your tuition fees each year (up to a maximum of £9,250). It does not depend on your household income, and you don’t need to pay it back until you are earning over £26,575.

Maintenance loan

In addition to the student loan for tuition fees, you may be eligible for a student loan for maintenance. This can help with the costs of accommodation, food, books and other expenses.

  • Maximum of £8,700 a year available if you’re living away from home;
  • Maximum of £7,324 a year if you’re living at home. 65% of the maintenance loan is non-means tested, meaning you can take out 65% of the maximum loan regardless of your household income. The remaining 35% is means-tested and dependent on your household income;
  • You don’t need to pay it back until you are earning over £26,575.

Repayment of loans

  • You’ll be due to start repaying your loan the April after you finish or leave your course. You’ll only make repayments if your income is over the repayment threshold;
  • You don’t repay until your gross earnings are over £26,575 a year (or £1,750 per month);
  • You repay 9% of what you earn above £26,575;
  • Any loan remaining after 30 years will be written off;
  • For more information, visit the Student Loan Repayment website.

Non-repayable grants for full-time students with dependents

The following grants are also available for people with children or other dependents if on a low income:

  • Parents’ Learning Allowance
  • Childcare Grant of 85% of childcare costs
  • Adult Dependents’ Grant

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

Students with a disability, mental health condition, long-term health condition or specific learning difficulty may be eligible for extra help through Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs).

Available to full-time and part-time students (depending on the amount of hours you study), this allowance is non-repayable, and is not dependent on household income. The amount you are entitled to depends on your level of need. To find out more visit Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Students still have to pay the fees if they are on benefits.

If you’re already claiming income-related benefits and want to start a university level course, you should ask Jobcentre Plus or your local authority’s housing benefit team how this will affect your benefits.

Diagnostic Assessment and Testing for Specific Learning Disabilities (SpLD) Fund

You can apply for up to £250 towards the costs of undertaking a diagnostic text for dyslexia or SpLD. Contact Jane Snook (HE Study Support Co-Ordinator) to arrange an initial consultation and discuss next steps.

Tuition fee loans for part-time students

The following student finance is available for part-time students. To find out more and apply online, visit Student Finance part time students or Student Finance England website.

Tuition fee loans

A Tuition Fee loan allows you to borrow the cost of your tuition fees each year (up to a maximum of £6,935). The loan does not depend on your household income. You must be studying at least 25% of the equivalent full-time course.

Repayment of loans

  • Repayment begins in April four years after the start of your course (whether or not you have finished studying) or the April after you finish or leave your course;
  • You don’t repay until your gross earnings are over £25,000 a year (or £1,750 per month);
  • You repay 9% of what you earn above £25,000;
  • Any loan remaining after 30 years will be written off.

For more information, visit the Student Loan Repayment website.

Benefits for part-time students

If you’re on a low income you may be able to claim a range of income-related benefits including:

  • Income Support
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Benefit

Get in touch

We can help you with questions you have about fees and finances. Contact us today.

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