Financial Support for learners aged 16-18

Applications for our 16-18 discretionary bursary are now closed.

At BSDC, we offer two bursaries for those aged 16 to 18 years of age which are designed to help learners from low income families to meet some of the costs incurred as a result of studying.  Support is available per academic year. If you are on a two year course it is important to note that you will need to make a new application each year of study.

Please note that if awarded, you have a responsibility to advise benefits agencies of any support you may receive and that this may affect your entitlement to benefits.

• Am I eligible for bursary support

  If your parent or guardian receives one of the benefits listed below, and the household income is less than £36,000 per year, you may be eligible to apply for bursary support:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit with no Working Tax Credit entitlement
  • Child Tax and Working Tax Credit where the combined household employment income and working tax credit does not exceed the stated maximum household income threshold
  • Universal Credit
  • Housing Benefit

  If you are aged 16-18 and fall into one of the following categories, you may be eligible to apply for our enhanced 16-18 bursary:

  •  You are a looked after child
  • You are a care leaver
  • You receive Personal Independence Payments or Disabled Living Allowance as well as Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance
  • You receive Universal Credit

• Types of support available

  Types of support available:

  • Travel contributions (for those who live 1.5 miles or more from their college campus)
  • Mandatory kit and uniform
  • Free School Meals (for those who are eligible)

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  If I had free meals at school does this automatically continue at College?

  A learner is only eligible to receive a free meal when they, or a responsible adult on their behalf, has made a successful application to the college. Free meals will commence from the date of award.

  Do I have to apply every year?

  Returning learners must apply again for each academic year.

  How will I receive my free meal?

  Successful applicants will receive vouchers to spend in the College Food Hub to the value of £4.50 per day.

  What days will I receive a free meal?

  Free meals will only be provided on the days where learner is timetabled in college for a minimum of 5 hours. For example, if a learner attends for 5 days a week, 9am to 3pm, for part of their course, the college will provide 5 free meals. If a learner has 2 days a week when they only attend from 9am to 10am, then the college does not have to provide meals on those days.

  What happens if I am on a trip or on work placement?

  Learners who are off-site on work placement or work experience as part of their study programme whose host organisation is unable or unwilling to provide a meal and who have no access to a suitable food outlet that will accept a voucher will be deemed exceptional cases and as such will receive a cash payment of £4.50 per day by BACS. Examples include work placements in rural areas or on industrial sites.

  Who is not eligible for free meals?

  The following groups of learners are not eligible for free college meals:

  • Learners aged between 14 and 16 (these students are already covered by free school meals (FSM) provision)
  • Learners aged 19 or over at the start of their study programme, unless they have an EHCP or are a 19+ continuer
  • Apprentices, including those with an EHCP