Enrolment 2023

If you’re a younger student, you can apply to the Learner Support Fund for additional help with course-related travel expenses and other costs. It should be noted that funds are limited and awards aren’t guaranteed.

The government has extended the free meals support to students from lower income families attending further education courses. This means that if you were in receipt of free meals whilst at school and are aged 16 – 18, you may still receive an allowance towards your lunch. In order to be eligible, you or your parents must be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• Income support
• Income-based jobseekers allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Guaranteed element of state pension credit
• Child tax credit with a gross income of less than £16,190
• Working tax credit run on — paid for the 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
• Universal credit (with income under £616.67 per month)

If you think you may be eligible, please call into Student Services to see a member of the Student Finance team.

If you’re a young parent, you may be able to get help with childcare costs (up to £160 per child per week). For more information about this support, please contact the Care to Learn helpline on 0800 121 8989 for more information and an application pack.

Childcare Expenses, including travel expenses to and from a childcare provider for young parents aged 16-18, can also be accessed through the national Care2Learn scheme.

‘Our Pass’ is a free bus travel scheme for 16-18 year olds who live and travel within the Greater Manchester area. Visit www.ourpass.co.uk for more information on the scheme and to apply.

‘Our Pass’ replaces bursary financial assistance for bus travel if you’re a student within the Greater Manchester area.

Please note: if you use an ‘Our Pass’ for journeys to and from college, you will not be eligible for a travel contribution from the bursary.

An ‘Our Pass’ will cost £10 and this fee will be reimbursed by the college if you are eligible for the bursary, live more than 2 miles from the college, and use an ‘Our Pass’ for your college journeys.

If you live outside the Greater Manchester area, or have to use alternative transport methods, you may be eligible for financial support for travel. Please contact Student Services to discuss this with a Financial Support Officer.