Student Finance

Student Financial Support: Bursaries & Free College Meals

The 16-19 Bursary is designed to support students who face financial barriers to participation in education with the cost of books, college equipment and/or travel. Eligible students must be under 19 on 31 August 2022 and enrolled on a non-fee-paying full-time course at Collyer’s. Where a young person turns 19 during their programme of study, they can continue to be supported to the end of the academic year or to the end of their programme of study. Students with an EHCP who are 19+ and may also be eligible for financial support.

There are two types of bursaries available to help students. The Vulnerable Learner Bursary and the Discretionary Bursary.

The Vulnerable Learner Bursary will be awarded to Collyer’s students in the following categories:

In Care
Care leavers
Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves
Receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit in their own right.

Students who meet the criteria for a vulnerable learner bursary may receive up to £1,200 a year but the amount awarded is based on actual financial need related to the cost of study.

The Discretionary Bursary for the academic year 2022/2023 is available for students whose annual household income does not exceed £35,000. The amount of bursary awarded will be confirmed following an application and is dependent upon funding allocations from the ESFA and the number of applications received. The college will aim to distribute the funds fairly with regard to the financial needs of the individual student.

Students are eligible for Free College Meals if they or their parents are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

Income Support
Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit – the household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Scroll down to see the Guide to Financial Support & Free College Meals for more information. If you are eligible for the 16-19 Bursary or Free College Meals, you must apply using our online application process. For further assistance, please email financialsupport@collyers.ac.uk or the student can visit Student Services in B002, during term time.

Click here to Apply for Financial Support 2022-23

Discounted Travel and Financial Assistance for Travel

For the academic year 2022/2023 the Student Travel Award of £150 (£50 a term) is available to students who meet one of the following criteria:

Live more than 15 miles from college
Live in a BN postcode area
Travel to college using the 633 Sussex Coach service from the Handcross area
Please refer to the Travel Assistance Guide for more information. If you would like to apply for the Travel Award, please download the application form (PDF) and return to Student Services by 30th September 2022.

College Fund

The College Fund is a single payment requested on entry to the college which covers the provision of those social and recreational ‘extras’ not otherwise provided for by public funding. It funds, for example, the provision of recreational facilities in Sport, Leisure and Fitness, and in Music, Drama and Dance; minibus transport for local visits and matches; and student social facilities. In addition it supports College theatrical productions, and also enables the College to invite in various guest speakers. It encourages students to participate fully in the enrichment and social activities the college provides, and enables the college to provide them free to students instead of having to make charges for their use.

The sum requested from each student on entry is a single payment of £140, which covers the entire period of time a student remains at the college. Payment is made at enrolment by cash or cheque (payable to ‘Collyer’s). Alternatively, you may wish to pay by BACS direct into our bank account.

In the event of insufficient contributions being made the college would have to consider withdrawing the above facilities or charging for them, which would penalise students and remove opportunities. A refund of the contribution for the year can be claimed if a student leaves before 1st November of that year; no refunds will be made after that date.