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What financial support is available?

Please be advised that the Bursary team does not have a full-time presence on site and appointments must be booked in advance.

To make an appointment:

At Buxton and Leek College, we are committed to supporting learners with the financial aspects of their education. We offer a range of bursaries and funding options to help eligible students with essential course-related costs, such as transport, equipment, and meal support.

The bursary application process is managed through the Pay My Student portal, where you can apply, upload evidence, and track your application status. To begin your application, please visit Pay My Student or scan the QR code below:

Below, you’ll find detailed tables outlining the types of funding available, eligibility criteria, and guidance on how to apply.

Please note: The information on this webpage does not apply to learners on an apprenticeship. If you are an apprentice, please visit our Apprenticeship Funding page to explore available financial support.

 

Tuition fees are free for home students aged under 18 and enrolled in a full-time course. Additionally, there is financial support available to help young people succeed during their studies.

Bursaries
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund at Buxton and Leek College provides financial support to help students overcome specific financial barriers to participation, enabling them to remain in education. There are two types of bursaries available: Bursaries for defined Vulnerable groups and Discretionary bursaries awarded by institutions based on policies set in line with Government funding rules.This fund helps with costs such as travel, essential books, equipment, or specialist clothing required for study. It does not cover learning support services, extra-curricular activities, living costs or allowances to encourage you to attend College.
Eligibility for Bursaries
Type Description Eligibility Possible support provided based on banded income thresholds
16-19 Discretionary Bursaries Available to students facing financial barriers on eligible Full Time, Part Time, Supported Internships and Traineeships.

 

Apprenticeships are not eligible*
  • Enrolled in a government-funded further education course at the College
  • Aged 16-18 on 31 August 2024
  • Aged 19-25 with an EHC plan or continuing a program started aged 16-18
  • British citizen or meets residency criteria
  • Household income of £45,000 or less per annum
  • Meets college standards for behaviour and attendance
  • Has additional course costs requiring support
  • College bus pass
  • External travel costs
  • Books, equipment, kit, and uniform costs
  • Essential field trips and other course-related costs
  • Meal support for non-eligible Free College Meals students
  • Childcare Costs that exceed C2L weekly allowance for timetabled College Days
Vulnerable Bursaries For students most in need and unlikely to receive financial assistance from parents or carers.

Apprenticeships are not eligible*
  • Aged 16-18 years and:
  • In care or a care leaver
  • Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit
  • Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right
  • Up to £1,200 per year based on actual financial need to participate as stated in the ESFA Guidance
  • Should your costs exceed £1,200, support will be looked at from the 16-19 Discretionary Bursary Fund
Click here to read our financial support fund policy for 2024/25
Free College Meals
Students at Buxton and Leek College may be eligible for Free College Meals if they meet specific criteria. If eligible, a meal allowance will be provided for days in college and on placement.

Eligibility for Free College Meals

Eligibility Criteria Details
Age
  • Aged between 16 and 18 years old (as of 31 August 2024)
  • Aged between 19 and 25 and in receipt of an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan)
  • Aged 19 and continuing a study programme they began aged 16-18
Benefits Received by Student or Parents
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of the 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
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 per annum
Apply for the 16-19 Bursary/ Free College Meal Scheme
Application SystemApplication System

The college uses PayMyStudent for submitting applications, a cloud-based system accessible on any device (PC, laptop, tablet, mobile phone).

To do this:

  1. Go to our PayMyStudent Portal
  2. Register for an account using your Student ID number (or a temporary ID if applying before you enrol)
  3. Submit your application
  4. Supply the required evidence as generated by the application form
  5. Await correspondence from the Bursary team

For assistance, contact the Financial Support Fund team at Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk.

Note: Bursary payments are subject to a minimum attendance requirement of 85% and are usually made in kind, such as meal cards or bus passes.

Care to Learn
Young parents aged under 20 at the start of their course may be entitled to help with childcare costs of up to £175 per week whilst studying.
The childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted.
You can find out more about Care to Learn, including eligibility and how to apply, at gov.uk/care-to-learn.
Other Financial Support
Travel: The b_line discount travel card entitles 16-18 year olds discounted travel on bus and local rail services in the High Peak.
Discounts: TOTUM (formerly NUS extra) is the #1 student discount card and app giving you access to huge offers on food and essentials, tech, streaming and home delivery. Plus fashion, beauty and a whole lot more.
External Bursaries:

Progression Bursary: Buxton & Leek College is part of the University of Derby. Eligible students who choose to continue their studies by moving into higher education at the University of Derby will receive a £1,000.00 Financial Boost ( £900 as a cash award plus a £100 study resource card for Blackwell’s Bookshop). For further information on the Buxton and Leek College Bursary and other Financial Support available to University of Derby students click here.

Information for Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Role Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Role

InfoStarting College: An Exciting Time

At Buxton and Leek College, we value the vital role Parent(s), Guardian(s), and Carers play in supporting students throughout their education. This section provides additional guidance and clarification on financial support for your child.

Application SystemApplication System

The college uses PayMyStudent, a cloud-based system accessible on any device (PC, laptop, tablet, mobile phone).

  • Your child will receive information about PayMyStudent during enrolment.
  • Access is only available to enrolled students.
  • Assistance is available once your child has enrolled.
CommunicationCommunication

Due to new Data Protection requirements, we discuss Bursary applications directly with students.

  • If you manage your child’s affairs, provide legal proof for access.
  • All correspondence will be sent to the student’s college email.
  • For queries, students can email financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk.
Bursary PaymentsBursary Payments
  • Payments require a bank account in the student’s name, or legal proof for exceptions.
  • Payments are primarily made in kind (e.g., meal cards) so please expect in most circumstances that your child will not receive any monies directly to their account unless there is a need to do so.
  • Fortnightly payments for external services (e.g., bus passes).
  • No payments during holidays (Christmas, Easter, half terms).
  • Check payment progress via PayMyStudent.
  • No payments will be made until we have at least two weeks’ attendance.
  • Subsequent payments based on 85% attendance, reviewed weekly.

Note: Discuss attendance issues with the Progress Coach.

Supporting a Finance Application

Eligibility for financial support is based on household income or qualifying benefits.

  • PayMyStudent lists required evidence for each question.
  • Provide full copies of benefit letters detailing entitlements.

Refer to our PayMyStudent guides for samples of required evidence.

Resources for Applying for the 16-19 Bursary/ Free College Meals

Due to new government regulations, colleges across the UK are now required to collect more fees from learners, meaning some previously free courses may now have associated costs.

If you are over 18, you may be eligible for funding to cover your fees and other course-related expenses.

Advanced Learner Loan
Hey there, students!
If you’re 19 or older and enrolling on an eligible Level 3 course or above, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your tuition fees.
This means you won’t have to worry about paying all the fees upfront.
Applying is super easy – your eligibility for the loan doesn’t depend on your income, and there are no credit checks.
You’ll start repaying your loan in the April after you finish or leave your course, but only when you’re earning more than £25,000 a year (correct as of 16.07.2024). If your income drops below this amount, repayments will stop.
Good news if you’re planning to take an Access to Higher Education course here and then move on to a Higher Education course: the remaining balance on your loan will be written off once you complete your Higher Education course.
For more details on Advanced Learner Loans, including eligibility and how to apply, visit gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.
Bursaries and Childcare Support
Buxton and Leek College provides two types of financial support for adult learners to help them manage additional course costs and overcome financial barriers. These are:

  • Advanced Learner Loan Bursary: For students aged 19+ who have an approved Advanced Learner Loan.
  • 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund: For adult learners who either have to pay tuition fees and are not eligible for a loan, or are in receipt of fee remission/discounts.

Financial Support Overview

Type Description Eligibility Possible support provided based on banded income thresholds
Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Available to students with an approved Advanced Learner Loan who face financial barriers. Support varies based on household income.
  • Enrolled in a Government-funded further education course at the College
  • Aged 19+ on 31 August 2024
  • British Citizen or meets residency criteria
  • Approved Advanced Learner Loan in place
  • Household income of £45,000 or less per annum
  • Meets college standards for behavior and attendance
  • Has additional course costs requiring support
  • Support based on income level, covering costs for meal support, travel, childcare, books, equipment, field trips, and other essential course-related expenses as approved by the College
  • It does not cover non course related learning support services, extra-curricular activities, living costs or allowances to encourage you to attend College.
19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund Available to adult learners who have to pay tuition fees and are not eligible for a loan, or are in receipt of fee remission/discounts. Apprenticeships are not eligible.
  • Enrolled in a Government-funded further education course at the College
  • Aged 19+ on 31 August 2024
  • British Citizen or meets residency criteria
  • Household income of £45,000 or less per annum
  • Meets college standards for behavior and attendance
  • Has additional course costs requiring support
  • Support based on income level, covering costs for meal support, travel, childcare, books, equipment, field trips, and other essentials
  • This fund can be used to look at course and/or exam fees in exceptional circumstances
  • It does not cover non course related learning support services, extra-curricular activities, living costs or allowances to encourage you to attend College.

Childcare Bursary

If you have children and want to study at College, you may be eligible for a 90% contribution towards childcare costs during term time when you are timetabled to be at College. This support helps parents manage their childcare expenses while pursuing their education.

Important Details:

  • The College does not cover Christmas, Easter, or Summer holidays.
  • Costs above the granted support are the responsibility of the parent.
  • The childcare provider must be OFSTED registered.
  • Free nursery education for 2-4-year-olds must be used before claiming additional childcare support.
  • External Schemes such as Universal Credit should be investigated prior to applying for Bursary Support
Click here to read our financial support fund policy for 2024/25
Apply for the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary/ 19+ Learner Support Fund
  1. Application SystemApplication System

    The college uses PayMyStudent for submitting applications, a cloud-based system accessible on any device (PC, laptop, tablet, mobile phone).

    To do this:

    1. Go to our PayMyStudent Portal
    2. Register for an account using your Student ID number
    3. Submit your application
    4. Supply the required evidence as generated by the application form
    5. Await correspondence from the Bursary team

    For assistance, contact the Financial Support Fund team at Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk.

    Note: Bursary payments are subject to a minimum attendance requirement of 85% and are usually made in kind, such as meal cards or bus passes.

Turn2us
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face-to-face through partner organisations.You can find out more about Turn2us and how you can get support at turn2us.org.uk or call the helpline at 0808 802 2000.
Other Financial Support
Progression Bursary: Buxton & Leek College is part of the University of Derby. Eligible students who choose to continue their studies by moving into higher education at the University of Derby will receive a £1,000.00 Financial Boost ( £900 as a cash award plus a £100 study resource card for Blackwell’s Bookshop). For further information on the Buxton and Leek College Bursary and other Financial Support available to University of Derby students click here.
Discounts: TOTUM (formerly NUS extra) is the #1 student discount card and app giving you access to huge offers on food and essentials, tech, streaming and home delivery. Plus fashion, beauty and a whole lot more.
External Bursaries:

Resources for Applying for the 19+ Learner Support Fund/ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary

If you have a query regarding Course Fees, Advanced Learner Loans or Paying Tuition Fees, please contact:

E: fe-financeandfees@blc.ac.uk

If you have a query regarding Bursaries, Free College Meals, Childcare Funding or Other sources of Funding, please contact:

E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk

To request an appointment to help complete an application, please fill out our Appointment Request Form.