Financial Support Guidelines

Guidelines for students aged 16-18

There are two types of bursaries available to help students aged 16-18. The Guaranteed Bursary of up to £1200 for students meeting the high priority criteria, and the Discretionary Bursary for students meeting the medium or low priority criteria.

The Discretionary Bursary funds are limited, and students are encouraged to apply early.

Bursary Group	Eligibility Criteria	Evidence Required
High Priority For defined vulnerable groups	The defined vulnerable groups are students aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with an EHCP) who are: In care Care leavers Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name because they are financially supporting themselves (and someone who is dependent on them such as a child or partner if relevant) Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments and Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own name In some cases, a student may meet the high priority criteria, but their financial needs are already met, or they have no relevant costs.	In care or a care leaver Written confirmation of their current or previous status from the relevant local authority. The evidence could be a letter or email but must clearly be from the local authority. Income Support or Universal Credit A copy of their Income Support or UC notice. This must clearly state that the claim is in the student’s name / confirm they are entitled to benefits in their own right. For students in receipt of UC, we must also see a tenancy agreement in the student’s name, (and a child benefit receipt and child/children’s birth certificate if relevant) DLA or PIP and ESA or UC. A copy of their ESA or UC claim. Evidence of DLA or PIP must also be provided.
Medium Priority Discretionary Bursary*	For students aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with an EHCP) who: Have a gross household income of £19,891 or less OR Are entitled to Free School Meals	Evidence of total household income such as: P60 and last 3 months payslips Self-employed income evidence Benefit award notice from DWP dated within last 6 months. Older notice acceptable if accompanied by recent bank statement naming benefit received. Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit award notice Universal Credit – 3 most recent monthly award statements to estimate assumed income for a full year. Company or private pension statement Support under part VI of the Immigration Act 1999 award letter. Certified letter from the Local Authority regarding Free School Meals
Low Priority Discretionary Bursary*	For students aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with an EHCP) who: Have a gross household income of between £19,892 and £25,000	Evidence of total household income such as: P60 and last 3 months payslips Self-employed income evidence Benefit award notice from DWP dated within last 6 months. Older notice acceptable if accompanied by recent bank statement naming benefit received. Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit award notice Universal Credit – 3 most recent monthly award statements to estimate assumed income for a full year. Company or private pension statement Support under part VI of the Immigration Act 1999 award letter
*Discretionary bursary to contribute towards travel costs, essential course equipment, meals in college, course related trips, UCAS fee, exam resit fees, travel to university open days or other college resources. Those in the Low Priority group will be considered for funding based on the college’s allocation and subject to available funding after those in the High and Medium Priority groups have been awarded.

Bursary Group

Eligibility Criteria

Evidence Required

High Priority

For defined vulnerable groups

The defined vulnerable groups are students aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with an EHCP) who are:

In care
Care leavers
Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name because they are financially supporting themselves (and someone who is dependent on them such as a child or partner if relevant)
Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments and Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own name

In some cases, a student may meet the high priority criteria, but their financial needs are already met, or they have no relevant costs.

In care or a care leaver
Written confirmation of their current or previous status from the relevant local authority. The evidence could be a letter or email but must clearly be from the local authority.
Income Support or Universal Credit
A copy of their Income Support or UC notice. This must clearly state that the claim is in the student’s name / confirm they are entitled to benefits in their own right. For students in receipt of UC, we must also see a tenancy agreement in the student’s name, (and a child benefit receipt and child/children’s birth certificate if relevant)
DLA or PIP and ESA or UC. A copy of their ESA or UC claim. Evidence of DLA or PIP must also be provided.

Medium Priority

Discretionary Bursary*

For students aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with an EHCP) who:

Have a gross household income of £19,891 or less

Are entitled to Free School Meals

Evidence of total household income such as:

P60 and last 3 months payslips
Self-employed income evidence
Benefit award notice from DWP dated within last 6 months. Older notice acceptable if accompanied by recent bank statement naming benefit received.
Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit award notice
Universal Credit – 3 most recent monthly award statements to estimate assumed income for a full year.
Company or private pension statement
Support under part VI of the Immigration Act 1999 award letter.
Certified letter from the Local Authority regarding Free School Meals

Low Priority

Discretionary Bursary*

For students aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with an EHCP) who:

Have a gross household income of between £19,892 and £25,000

Evidence of total household income such as:

P60 and last 3 months payslips
Self-employed income evidence
Benefit award notice from DWP dated within last 6 months. Older notice acceptable if accompanied by recent bank statement naming benefit received.
Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit award notice
Universal Credit – 3 most recent monthly award statements to estimate assumed income for a full year.
Company or private pension statement
Support under part VI of the Immigration Act 1999 award letter

*Discretionary bursary to contribute towards travel costs, essential course equipment, meals in college, course related trips, UCAS fee, exam resit fees, travel to university open days or other college resources.

Those in the Low Priority group will be considered for funding based on the college’s allocation and subject to available funding after those in the High and Medium Priority groups have been awarded.

16-18 Tuition Fund

This policy applies to students studying towards Education Funding Agency (EFA) funded further education qualifications that also qualify for bursary support based on funding body criteria.

These funds are managed by the College and are allocated on a first come, first served basis (with the exception of the 16-18 Vulnerable Student Bursary Fund) via an application and assessment process. Students must meet the specified eligibility criteria in order to be considered for any assistance. The rules within this policy are set out at the time of writing and could be subject to change at any time from the EFA.

Financial support is intended to remove barriers, support participation, attendance and achievement.

Application forms received by the Student Financial Support Team will be processed within six weeks of enrolment. Any applications received prior to this will not be processed until after the student has enrolled. Applicants will be notified of their application outcome by post.

Care to Learn Childcare

If you are under 20 years old and have children, Care to Learn can help you with childcare costs while you study. You could receive up to £175 per week for each child.

For further information contact the Care to Learn helpline on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.gov.uk/care-to-learn

Guidelines for students aged 19+

Students aged 19 or over can apply for a means tested bursary grant from either the Discretionary Learner Support Fund or the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary.

The Discretionary Learner Support Fund assists students who have financial difficulties while studying at college. The fund is aimed at students aged 19 or over, contributing towards course related expenses and childcare fees.

The Advanced Learner Loan Bursary supports students on a level 3 course with an approved loan by the Student Loans Company. The bursary can help with course related expenses and childcare fees.

Bursary Group	Eligibility Criteria	Evidence Required
19+ LSF OR Advanced Learning Loan Childcare* & Hardship	Learners must be aged 20 or above as of 31/08/2020 In receipt of means tested benefits or have a household income of less than £19,891 A British Citizen, OR Have Refugee status, OR Must have settled residency status within the UK/EU and have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the academic year Learners applying to the Advanced Learning Loan bursary must provide evidence of their loan acceptance.	Evidence of total household income such as: P60 and last 3 months payslips Self-employed income evidence Benefit award notice from DWP dated within last 6 months. Older notice acceptable if accompanied by recent bank statement naming benefit received. Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit award notice Universal Credit – 3 most recent monthly award statements to estimate assumed income for a full year. Company or private pension statement Learners applying to the Advanced Learning Loan bursary must provide evidence of their loan acceptance.
19+ LSF OR Advanced Learning Loan Hardship only	Learners must be aged 19 or above as at 31/08/2020 In receipt of means tested benefits or have a household income of less than £25,000 A British Citizen; OR Have Refugee status; OR Must have settled residency status within the UK/EU and have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the academic year; OR Be classed as an Asylum Seeker who has legally been in the UK pending consideration of their claim by UKBA for longer than 6 months and no decision has been made; OR Be classed as an Asylum Seeker who has been refused asylum but eligible and granted support under section 4 of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999.	Evidence of total household income such as: P60 and last 3 months payslips Self-employed income evidence Benefit award notice from DWP dated within last 6 months. Older notice acceptable if accompanied by recent bank statement naming benefit received. Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit award notice Universal Credit – 3 most recent monthly award statements to estimate assumed income for a full year. Company or private pension statement Support under part VI of the Immigration Act 1999 award letter Learners applying to the Advanced Learning Loan bursary must provide evidence of their loan acceptance.
* Payments covering childcare will only be made for the time when the learner is expected to attend college, and up to 1 hour travelling time each day. The childcare provider must be Ofsted Registered. All payments are made directly to the Ofsted Registered childcare provider. Learners applying to the Advanced Learning Loan bursary must provide evidence of their loan acceptance.

Bursary Group

Eligibility Criteria

Evidence Required

19+ LSF
OR
Advanced Learning Loan

Childcare* & Hardship

Learners must be aged 20 or above as of 31/08/2020
In receipt of means tested benefits or have a household income of less than £19,891
A British Citizen, OR
Have Refugee status, OR
Must have settled residency status within the UK/EU and have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the academic year

Learners applying to the Advanced Learning Loan bursary must provide evidence of their loan acceptance.

Evidence of total household income such as:

P60 and last 3 months payslips
Self-employed income evidence
Benefit award notice from DWP dated within last 6 months. Older notice acceptable if accompanied by recent bank statement naming benefit received.
Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit award notice
Universal Credit – 3 most recent monthly award statements to estimate assumed income for a full year.
Company or private pension statement

Learners applying to the Advanced Learning Loan bursary must provide evidence of their loan acceptance.

19+ LSF
OR
Advanced Learning Loan

Hardship only

Learners must be aged 19 or above as at 31/08/2020
In receipt of means tested benefits or have a household income of less than £25,000
A British Citizen; OR
Have Refugee status; OR
Must have settled residency status within the UK/EU and have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the academic year; OR
Be classed as an Asylum Seeker who has legally been in the UK pending consideration of their claim by UKBA for longer than 6 months and no decision has been made; OR
Be classed as an Asylum Seeker who has been refused asylum but eligible and granted support under section 4 of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Evidence of total household income such as:

P60 and last 3 months payslips
Self-employed income evidence
Benefit award notice from DWP dated within last 6 months. Older notice acceptable if accompanied by recent bank statement naming benefit received.
Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit award notice
Universal Credit – 3 most recent monthly award statements to estimate assumed income for a full year.
Company or private pension statement
Support under part VI of the Immigration Act 1999 award letter

Learners applying to the Advanced Learning Loan bursary must provide evidence of their loan acceptance.

* Payments covering childcare will only be made for the time when the learner is expected to attend college, and up to 1 hour travelling time each day.
The childcare provider must be Ofsted Registered. All payments are made directly to the Ofsted Registered childcare provider.

Learners applying to the Advanced Learning Loan bursary must provide evidence of their loan acceptance.

How to apply

Once you have enrolled on your course you can apply for your bursary using our online application form.

Applications for 21/22 are not currently being accepted. Please check back here in June for details on how to apply for financial support in 21/22.

Get in touch

To contact us about your application for financial support, please email Administration@croydon.ac.uk

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