Student Finance
Financial Support:
Bursaries, Free College Meals, Care to Learn & 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 2026 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: Defined Vulnerable Groups and Discretionary.
Defined Vulnerable Groups Bursary
Students may be eligible for the Defined Vulnerable Groups Bursary if they fall into one or more of 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 £41,000. The amount of bursary awarded is dependent upon funding allocations, the number of applications received, household income and educational need. It will be necessary to upload evidence of all household income on your application.
Free College Meals
Free College Meals are available for economically disadvantaged students in receipt of, or having parents/carers who are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Households in receipt of the following benefits may also be entitled to a meal:
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Care to Learn
If a student is a young parent (under 20) and they wish to continue in education, they could be eligible for help with childcare costs through the UK Government Care to Learn scheme. The childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted
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.
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
Please read this 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.
COLLYER’S STUDENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT & TRAVEL GUIDE 2026/2027
Apply for Financial Support via our online portal
The online application covers ALL aspects of financial support:
- 16-19 Bursary
- Free College Meals
- Care to Learn
- Collyer’s Student Travel Award
It is important you read through the information in the Collyer’s Student Financial Support & Travel Guide (above) before applying.
To enable processing of your application, it is essential that each section is completed, all required evidence is uploaded and that the student and parent/carer sign the declaration.