If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our Student Support Team on 01278 441233 or studentsupport@btc.ac.uk.

Applications for 25/26 are due to open mid-July. Please read the information below which explains in detail how you must submit your application, and what evidence is required.

Financial support must be applied for each year you are studying with us, the funds do not rollover.

How to Apply: Pay My Student

BTC uses the Pay My Student portal for bursary applications. This secure and convenient platform allows both new and returning students to apply for financial support online.

How to Use Pay My Student

A ‘How To’ Guide will be available to help you access the portal and submit your application step-by-step once applications go live. The guide includes instructions on how to upload evidence, complete the required sections, and electronically sign your application.

Important Notes:

• Bursary funds are limited: meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee you will receive financial help.
• Incomplete applications will not be processed: applications that are missing vital information, such as missing evidence or unsigned forms, will not be processed. Double-check your application before submitting it. We require a signature from the student and parent / carer.
• Apply early: by applying early, you will improve your chances of accessing financial support.

16-19 Bursary Fund

The 16-19 Bursary Fund helps students with costs such as travel, learning materials, meals, and trips. To be eligible, you must:

• Be aged under 19 as of 31 August 2025.
• Be enrolled on a course funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
• Have a net parental/household income below £40,000 (or below £50,000 for travel support only).
• Not be on an Apprenticeship or waged traineeship.

The 16-19 Bursary is a limited fund, so early applications are recommended.

Free College Meals and Meal Card Scheme

You may be eligible for free college meals if you are in receipt of, or have parents who are 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 have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC))
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 for each year (after tax and not including any benefits they get).

If you don’t qualify for Free College Meals but have a household income below £25,000, you can apply for the Meal Card Scheme.

Both options upload £5 per timetabled day to your Student ID Card for use at food outlets on all colleges. However, second-year continuing students at Strode College (those continuing to the second year of a 2-year course) who received a bursary in their first year, will receive £10 per timetabled day for a one-year transitional period. After this period, all students will receive the same rate.

Childcare Support

Under 20s: starting from 25/26, BTC will manage applications for the Care to Learn scheme. This fund supports childcare costs for registered providers, including transport expenses. The relevant questions to apply for this scheme are included within your bursary application.

Aged 20 and over: the College’s Childcare Fund may cover up to 90% of registered childcare costs, based on your income. The relevant questions to apply for this scheme are included within your bursary application.

Travel Support

The 16–19 Bursary Fund includes support for travel costs, with the College covering the most cost-effective travel option, which is usually the bus. A maximum award of £6 per timetabled day will be used to calculate a contribution towards travel.

If you need help understanding routes, bus passes, or travel options, please contact our Transport Team at transportrequests2@btc.ac.uk for guidance.

Vulnerable Groups Bursary

If you’re under 19 and meet specific criteria, you may be eligible for a bursary up to £1,200. The amount is based on financial need and course duration (your essential course fees will be deducted from this amount where applicable).

The amount students can receive is based on the individual financial need of the student, therefore eligibility may not necessarily mean students will receive any funding. The following criteria applies for this bursary:

• Young Person currently in Local Authority Care
• Young Person leaving care
• Young Person in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit
• Young Person in receipt of Universal Credit (restrictions apply)
• Young Person in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (under 18) who are under Local Authority care.

Scholarships and Specialist Bursaries

Students aged 16–19 may also qualify for scholarships or specialist bursaries related to their course or interests. Learn more here.

Emergency Meals

For students in severe hardship, referrals can be made to our Student Support Team for emergency meal funding of £5 per day, while longer-term options like the 16–19 Bursary are explored. Emergency meals can be offered for a maximum of 7 days.

19+ Learner Support Funds (LSF)

The LSF can assist students aged 19+ with costs like tuition, travel, or childcare. Income thresholds apply (£26,500 single, £40,000 joint). Students with an Advanced Learner Loan can also access a separate bursary for similar support.

Residential Bursary / Access Fund

Students on specialised courses without local transport options may be eligible for help with accommodation costs at our Cannington campus. The bursary covers the cost of standard accommodation only, and the cost of the meal plan must be paid by the student.

NEW: UCS Alumni Bursary

If you’re progressing directly from a Level 3 course at BTC to a degree at University Centre Somerset, you could receive a £1,000 bursary (£500 in both Year 1 and Year 2). Ensure you select BTC as your current college on your UCAS application.

NEW: Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation Grant Scheme

The Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation is dedicated to supporting young people in achieving their aspirations by providing financial assistance through their grant scheme. If you are between 11 and 24 years old and need financial help to further your education, and you live or go to school in the former Borough of Taunton Deane, they may be able to help.

Apply today by clicking here.

Need Help?

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact the Student Support Team at 01278 441233 or studentsupport@btc.ac.uk. Alternatively, if you are struggling to pay fees, please reach out to the Finance Team at creditcontrol@btc.ac.uk or 01278 441327.