There are ways in which the College can help you with costs so please get in touch if you have any queries. Families in receipt of a low income or a means-tested benefit may be eligible for assistance from the Discretionary Learning Support Fund. Students in genuine financial hardship can apply for help with the costs of compulsory materials, equipment, travel, residential trips and visits. To find out if you are eligible for financial support contact the Student Support team on 01278 441233 or email studentsupport@btc.ac.uk.

16 – 19 Bursary Fund

Students can apply for the 16-19 Bursary to help with the cost of bus travel and compulsory materials and trips if they meet the following criteria:

• Must be aged under 19 as at the 31 August 2021
• Course must be funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency
• Parental/household income must be below £35,000 (or below £50,000 for help towards bus travel only)
• Must not be on an Apprenticeship or waged traineeship

The 16-19 Bursary is a limited fund therefore early application is recommended and there is an upper cap of £600 towards materials and trips plus up to 100% towards bus/train travel.  To find out more information or to request an application form please contact the Student Support Team on 01278 441233 or email studentsupport@btc.ac.uk.

Scholarships

Students aged 16 to 19 who meet the criteria relevant to their courses or interests are invited to apply for one of our Scholarships. Find out more here.

Free School Meals

Students aged 16-18 (or 19-25 with an EHC Plan) may be eligible to apply for Free School Meals if their parents/carers are in receipt of at least one 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 Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit where the income is less than £7,400

The Free School Meal entitlement will be uploaded onto the Student ID Card for use in any of the food outlets at Bridgwater, Taunton and Cannington against a specific meal deal (various daily options for the meal deal will be available in each outlet).  The application form for this will be in the application pack for the 16-19 Bursary or on request for students aged 19-25 with an EHC Plan.

Vulnerable Groups Bursary

Students under 19 and who are considered to be vulnerable young students may be eligible for up to £1,200 (essential course fees will be deducted from this at where applicable) this award is based on students studying a programme of at least 30 week duration, students studying less than this may be eligible for a proportional award.  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 apply 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 or Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment
• Unaccompanied asylum seeking children (under 18) who are under Local Authority care.

19+ Learner Support Funds (LSF)

Students can access the LSF, to help with the cost of equipment, exams, travel or tuition, if they meet the following criteria:

• Must be aged over 19 at the start of the course
• The course must be funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency
• Student’s income must be below £35,000 (joint) or £20,000 (single)
• The fund can help with childcare costs, tuition, exams, travel, materials etc.
• Advanced Learner Loan students can access a separate fund for help with travel or childcare using the same income thresholds (Advanced Learner Loan Bursary)

Childcare Support

Funding is available to help students in financial hardship meet childcare costs. Students under 20 can apply for funding from the Government’s Care to Learn Fund. This covers the costs of any registered childcare (nurseries, child-minders, after-school clubs etc.) alongside associated transport costs. Further information is available online at www.gov.uk/care-to-learn.

Students aged 20 and over can apply to the Childcare Fund. The fund is means-tested and offers support for children up to the age of 15 (or 16 for children with disabilities). This can pay up to 90% of childcare costs for Ofsted registered childminders, nurseries, crèches, breakfast clubs or after school clubs. For more information or an application form, please contact the Student Support Team on 01278 441233 or email studentsupport@btc.ac.uk.

Residential Bursary/Access Fund

Students who are studying specialised Further Education courses that are not available more locally to their home and where there are no transport links to the College may be able to get help with the cost of onsite accommodation at our Cannington campus.  For more information or to request and application form please contact Student Support on 01278 441233 or by emailing studentsupport@btc.ac.uk

Please note: If you are struggling to pay fees and are not eligible for any assistance, please contact the Finance team to discuss further options: creditcontrol@btc.ac.uk 01278 441327