Financial Support (Bursaries)

Hardship Support Fund payment is a maximum of up to a £1000 cash payment paid in three instalments.

To qualify you must:

• be a home or EU (Settled Status) student
• be paying the required tuition fee for your full time or part time course using a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England (SFE)
• be in receipt of a maintenance loan or have explored options from SFE for any additional loans and grants available
• be enrolled and attending as a full-time or part-time student on a Higher Education course at Plumpton College
• be eligible for student support under UK student support regulations
• providing evidence of a total household income under £25,000 (in line with Student Finance England)

Click here to read the Higher Education Hardship Support Fund Bursary Guidelines 

Apply

The 20+ childcare bursary may be available to assist you with childcare costs based upon your timetabled hours. To apply for childcare support, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Aged 20 or over and approved for a 19+ Bursary or Advanced Learner Loan Bursary
• You must use Ofsted registered childcare provision
• If your child is eligible for Free Early Years Education, your funding will consider any free hours.

If you are under the age of 19 at the start of your course, Care to Learn can help with childcare costs. Please contact our Bursary Officer by emailing bursary@plumpton.ac.uk who will support your application.

 It is only available if the student’s childcare provider is Ofsted registered and offers up to £160 per week per child. Students must apply to Care to Learn directly by completing an online application form.

For further information visit: www.gov.uk/care-to-learn 

Bursaries are money given directly to the college by the Government or funding directly from the college to help students who face financial hardship in continuing further education. All students can apply, and if the bursary eligibility and criteria is met, then a bursary can possibly help with the following:

• Bus travel
• Accommodation
• Course equipment/ kit
• College meals
• Educational trips

If you have a student loan, i.e. Advanced Learner Loan or student finance for University Courses, there could also be a possibility of assistance from the college in the form of a hardship fund, having first secured the loan.

• Assessment is made on the total household income from the student’s parent/carer or guardian, mainly financially responsible for the student and with whom they live.

• If the student lives with a spouse or partner – the household income of the both will be assessed. We will look at the student’s income only if the student lives independently and supports themselves.

• You must provide the full household income to be assessed, whether through salary and/or benefits per year. All taxable earnings, income and benefits are considered.

• For example, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independent Payment, and Carers Allowance are not considered, but evidence must be provided. Universal Credit and Tax Credit payments are counted; all evidence must be provided.

• The household income must be £30,000 (before tax) per year or less whether through salary and/or benefits.

• For assistance with accommodation, a total household income of £50,000 (before tax), per year or less whether through salary and/or benefits.

• We encourage all prospective and returning students who think they might be eligible to apply for assistance to complete and submit their bursary application form during the Spring/Summer term so that their application can be assessed before the start of the term.

• Early applications will help us ensure that any assistance awarded can be put in place as close as possible to the start of the course.

• Applications can be made throughout the year.

• Guidance notes and application forms are available to fill in via the college website.

• Applicants will be notified in writing via email of how much has been allocated within the categories they have applied for help with.

• Awards will be made via BACS or paid in kind where possible.

• Applications will be judged on individual needs outlined in the Education and Skills Funding Agency guidelines.

• The amount awarded will be specific to each application.

This is done through the Applica online portal, found here: Bursary Portal

Step-by-Step instructions can be found here: How to Guide 

Step-by-Step video guide