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Different types of bursaries are available if you are aged 19 or older at the start of your course. These can help contribute towards the cost of travel and course-related expenses including books and specialist equipment.

• 19+ Discretionary Bursary
• 19+ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary

If you turn 19 and are studying the second year of the same Level 3 course you started when aged 18 years or younger, you will continue to receive support and entitlements for the 16-18 bursary, providing you still meet the income eligibility criteria.

You may also be eligible for free college meals, if you are aged under 25 and hold an EHCP.

To receive financial help, you must have your own bank account to receive support payments.

19+ Discretionary Bursary

You must be:

• aged 19 or older on 31 August in the year you start your course
• studying on a further education course at Level 2 or below, or be in receipt of a 19-23 fee remission
• You/your partner/parents/carers must be in receipt of a benefit (Universal Credit/Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance/Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit/Employment Support Allowance) or
• You must live in a low-income household (total household gross income must be less than £30,000 in the last tax year)

Evidence of both residency and income proof must be uploaded onto the bursary application form on PayMyStudent and a signed declaration must be submitted before any financial help is agreed.

19+ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary

The Advanced Learner Loan bursary is available for those who have received an Advanced Learning Loan but may need some additional support to assist with the costs associated with their course such as course materials, travel or childcare.

To qualify you must:

• be aged 19 years or older on 31 August in the year you start your course
• be in receipt of the Advanced Learner Loan (proof of this must be provided on your bursary application form)
• You/your partner/parents/carers must be in receipt of a benefit (Universal Credit/Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance/Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit/Employment Support Allowance) or
• You must live in a low-income household (total household gross income must be less than £30,000 in the last tax year)

Please be advised this bursary can not be used to pay tuition fees, registration or exam fees.

If you qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan but decide to self-fund your course, you will not qualify for a bursary fund.

Free College Meals

If you are aged 19-25 and have an EHCP (Education Health Care Plan) and your household is in receipt of an income-based benefit from the list below, you may be eligible for free college meals;

• 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 (HMRC))
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• UC with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

You will be assessed for free college meals based on the information and evidence uploaded on PayMyStudent.

Asylum Seeker Support

If you are an Asylum Seeker being supported under section VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, you may be able to apply for some support in kind to help with costs associated with your course through the college bursary funds. You need to complete the online bursary form on PayMyStudent and upload the evidence requested. 

Emergency Hardship Support

If you are experiencing an unforeseen circumstance during the academic year which has resulted in you being in financial hardship, please speak to a member of the Student Services team or email studentservices@wlc.ac.uk and we may be able to direct you to some support services.