Student Finance
Financial Support:
Bursaries, Free College Meals & Student Travel Award
The 16-19 Bursary is funded by the UK Government and is designed to help and support any student who faces financial barriers to participation in education, such as help with the costs of essential books, equipment or travel to and from college.
Eligible students must be under 19 on 31 August 2025 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. There are two types of bursaries available: Bursaries for defined Vulnerable Groups and Discretionary Bursaries.
Defined Vulnerable Group Bursary
This 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.
Discretionary Bursary
Students can apply for a Discretionary Bursary if the annual household income does not exceed £39,000. The amount of bursary awarded will be confirmed following your application and is dependent upon funding allocations and the number of applications received. The amount awarded will depend on both the household income and educational need.
Free College Meals
Students are eligible for Free College Meals in 2025/26 if:
They were previously in receipt of Free School Meals* or
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)
All applications for Free College Meals must be made via our Financial Support application portal. *If the student previously received Free School Meals, you will be required to provide the evidence letter from your local authority on your application.
Collyer’s Student Travel Award
The college funded Student Travel Award of £150 (£50 a term) is available to students who meet one of the following criteria:
● Live in a BN postcode area ● Live more than 15 miles from the college
The award is subject to excellent attendance. Applications will be processed from September with the first instalment paid before October half term. All applications for the Collyer’s Student Travel Award must be made via our Financial Support application portal.
The Student Travel Award is not payable to students receiving the Collyer’s 16-19 Bursary as their travel costs will be already covered.
Student Financial Support & Travel Guide 2025/2026
Scroll down to our guidebook for full information regarding financial support and travel assistance.
For further assistance, please email financialsupport@collyers.ac.uk or visit the Student Services office in B002 during term time.
STUDENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT & TRAVEL GUIDE 2025-26
Apply for Financial Support via our online portal
The online application covers all aspects of financial support: Bursary / Free College Meals / Student Travel Award. Please ensure you answer all questions and upload the correct evidence to ensure your application can be processed in a timely manner.