Funding, Bursaries & Loans

Students most in need may be eligible to receive a bursary of  up-to £1,200 a year depending on financial need.

The defined vulnerable groups are students who are:

aged 16 – 18 years of age and

• in care
• care leavers
• receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner
• receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right

Students who meet the criteria of the Vulnerable Bursary will not automatically be entitled to an award, an assessment of their course and financial need will be carried out by the Financial Support Fund Panel and if a financial need can be evidenced, then an award of up-to £1200.00 for the year may be made.

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED WHEN I SUBMIT MY FORM?

(Applicants will need to include photocopies only – online or paper copies – of the following evidence)

All students must provide one recent full months bank statement for all accounts held including any Savers or ISA accounts they have as well as:

For students in Care/ Care Leavers

• written confirmation of your current or previous looked-after status from the relevant local authority – this is the local authority that looks after you or provides your leaving care services. The evidence could be a letter or an email but must be clearly from the local authority

For students in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name

• a copy of your Income Support or UC award notice. This must clearly state that the claim is in your (the student’s name) and confirm they are entitled to the benefits in their own right. The evidence must not state any conditions that prevent you from participating in further education or training.
• for students in receipt of UC, institutions must also see a tenancy agreement in the your name, a child benefit receipt, children’s birth certificates, utility bills and so on

For students in receipt of Universal Credit or ESA and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments

• for students receiving UC/ESA and Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments, a copy of your UC claim from DWP. Evidence of receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment must also be provided

• • To apply you will need to:
  • Download the PDF/ Word copy of our application form below and complete it in full (online or printed)
  • Sign your application form-if the PDF copy will not allow you to do this, you will need to provide a separate document i.e. photograph/ scan of your signature which we can then add to your application form
  • Provide evidence to show your household income is below £25,000.00 (please refer to the checklist found within the application form for further detail)

• FINANCIAL SUPPORT FUND APPLICATION FORM 2020/21

  • Financial Support Fund (PDF)
  • Financial Support Fund (Word)

• HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED FORM AND EVIDENCE?

  • Once your form is completed , you can submit this along with photocopies of  required supporting evidence to:
  • E: Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk – ensure applications and evidence are supplied on one email where possible.
  • A: The Financial Support Fund Team
  •      CL/208
  •      Clarendon House
  •      Buxton and Leek College
    • Devonshire Road
    • Buxton
    • SK17 6RY
  • When you have submitted your application (with supporting evidence), you will receive an acknowledgement email detailing your receipt number and informing you of when you should hear about a decision from the Financial Support Funding Panel.
  • Following this all future correspondence will be sent to your Unimail Account.
  • Your application will then be considered by the Financial Support Funding Panel who will send you an email informing you of their decision.
  • Awards will, in most circumstances, be paid in instalments and will be dependent on attendance and behaviour.
  • Your application and the information you provide will be stored confidentially and securely, and will only be used for the purpose of assessing your eligibility for the Bursary Fund.

You can your check your eligibility in the guidance below.

We recommend collating any required evidence as soon as possible (online or paper photocopies will suffice).

Processing can take up to 6 weeks from receipt of a complete application during busy periods – please do not hand in an application without all the required evidence as the timeframe for processing will be extended.

If you have any further queries, please contact our Student Money and Rights adviser on: E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk.

Please be aware that if you received support from either fund in Academic Year 19/20 you will need to reapply from August 2020.

All SMART cards are now deactivated and returning students will not be able to use these until they have reapplied and been awarded a Bursary for 2020/21. 

FAQ- ALL YOUR GENERAL BURSARY ENQUIRIES ANSWERED (INCLUDING HOW CORONAVIRUS MAY AFFECT OUR BURSARY FUNDS)

We have complied a list of questions and answers for any queries you may have regarding the Bursary Fund, click show more for further information

The bursary fund provides support towards the additional course costs of attending College, including travel, equipment, meals and other costs i.e. DBS.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, STUDENTS MUST:

• be enrolled on a Government funded course of further education at the College
• be aged 16-19 on 31 August 2020
• be aged 19-25 and in receipt of an EHCP
• be aged 19 and continuing on a study programme they began aged 16-18
• be a ‘Home’ student – that is someone whose home has been in the UK for three years before the start of the course, and who has no restrictions on remaining in the UK. There may be exceptions to this, and clarification may need to be obtained from our Student Money and Rights Adviser
• have a household income of less than £25,000 per annum

Bursary payments issued will be dependent on 85% attendance and behaviour monitoring.

Students on apprenticeship programmes, or any waged training, are unfortunately not eligible for the 16 – 19 Bursary Fund, please click here to find out what funding may be available to you if you are looking at or doing an apprenticeship.

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund will help students towards the essential costs of their course including:

• Travel
• Books / equipment
• Uniform
• Childcare (students aged 20 years or over) if aged under 19, please scroll down for information on the Care to Learn scheme
• Other extras i.e. DBS Check, Essential Field Trips

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED WHEN I SUBMIT MY FORM?

(Applicants will need to include photocopies only – online or paper copies – of the following evidence)

Students aged 16-17 living at home with Parent(s)/ Guardian(s)

One recent full months bank statement from Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) for every account held including ISA/ Savings Accounts and:

• All pages of Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) Full Tax Credit Award or Universal Credit Notification 2020/2021 (if applicable)
• Proof of income for Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) i.e. Payslips/ copy of Benefit Award letters (if applicable)

Students aged 16 or above who are living on their own or in the care of their Local Authority

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student including ISA/ Savings Accounts and:

• Proof of income from employment or benefits i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)

Students aged 18 or above who are living at home with parent(s)/ guardian(s) or living on their own

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student including ISA/ Savings Accounts and:

• Proof of income from employment or benefits i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)

Students aged 16 or above who are living with a partner

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student and their partner including ISA/ Savings Accounts and:

• Proof of income from employment or benefits for the student and their partner i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)

• • • To apply you will need to:
    • Download the PDF/ Word copy of our application form below and complete it in full (online or printed)
    • Sign your application form-if the PDF copy will not allow you to do this, you will need to provide a separate document i.e. photograph/ scan of your signature which we can then add to your application form
    • Provide evidence to show your household income is below £25,000.00 (please refer to the checklist found within the application form for further detail)

  • FINANCIAL SUPPORT FUND APPLICATION FORM 2020/21

    • Financial Support Fund (PDF)
    • Financial Support Fund (Word)
  • HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED FORM AND EVIDENCE?

    • Once your form is completed , you can submit this along with photocopies of  required supporting evidence to:
    • E: Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk- ensure applications and evidence are supplied on one email where possible.
    • A: The Financial Support Fund Team
    •      CL/208
    •      Clarendon House
    •      Buxton and Leek College
      • Devonshire Road
      • Buxton
      • SK17 6RY
    • When you have submitted your application (with supporting evidence), you will receive an acknowledgement email detailing your receipt number and informing you of when you should hear about a decision from the Financial Support Funding Panel.
    • Following this all future correspondence will be sent to your Unimail Account.
    • Your application will then be considered by the Financial Support Funding Panel who will send you an email informing you of their decision.
    • Awards will, in most circumstances, be paid in instalments and will be dependent on attendance and behaviour.
    • Your application and the information you provide will be stored confidentially and securely, and will only be used for the purpose of assessing your eligibility for the Bursary Fund.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR FREE COLLEGE MEALS, STUDENTS MUST:

• be aged between 16 and 18 years old (as at 31 August 2020); if you turn 19 during the academic year you remain eligible until the end of the academic year or your course of study finishes, whichever is sooner.
• be aged between 19 and 25 and are eligible for a Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA) or an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan).

YOU OR YOUR PARENTS MUST BE IN RECEIPT OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

• 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 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 pa
  

• No extra forms are needed to be completed if applying for the 16-19 Bursary Form at the same time, just tick the relevant box on the Financial Support Application Form 2020/21.
  • • To apply you will need to:
    • Download the PDF/ Word copy of our application form below and complete it in full (online or printed)
    • Sign your application form-if the PDF copy will not allow you to do this, you will need to provide a separate document i.e. photograph/ scan of your signature which we can then add to your application form
    • Provide evidence to show your household income is below £25,000.00 (please refer to the checklist found within the application form for further detail)

  • FINANCIAL SUPPORT FUND APPLICATION FORM 2020/21

    • Financial Support Fund (PDF)
    • Financial Support Fund (Word)
  • HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED FORM AND EVIDENCE?

    • Once your form is completed , you can submit this along with photocopies of  required supporting evidence to:
    • E: Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk– ensure applications and evidence are supplied on one email where possible.
    • A: The Financial Support Fund Team
    •      CL/208
    •      Clarendon House
    •      Buxton and Leek College
      • Devonshire Road
      • Buxton
      • SK17 6RY
    • When you have submitted your application (with supporting evidence), you will receive an acknowledgement email detailing your receipt number and informing you of when you should hear about a decision from the Financial Support Funding Panel.
    • Following this all future correspondence will be sent to your Unimail Account.
    • Your application will then be considered by the Financial Support Funding Panel who will send you an email informing you of their decision.
    • Awards will, in most circumstances, be paid in instalments and will be dependent on attendance and behaviour.
    • Your application and the information you provide will be stored confidentially and securely, and will only be used for the purpose of assessing your eligibility for the Bursary Fund.

For the points above, the following detail applies:

You will need to book an appointment with the Student Money and Rights adviser and have a copy of your childs birth certificate/ child benefit claim to hand.

You must be using an OFSTED registered provider which may be a Nursery, pre-school setting or childminder. ‌

If you need support looking for the right childcare for your son or daughter, we have a list of Registered Childcare Providers

*Please also note 2 – 4 year olds may be entitled to 15/30 hours of free nursery education – this entitlement must be used before making a claim for assistance with childcare

You can apply before enrolment or during the academic year.

• Financial Support Fund (PDF)
• Financial Support Fund (Word)

Your children must be pre school age (between 6 months to 4 years) and have a household income below £25,000.00, exceptional circumstances will also be considered however there are no guarantees.

You can apply before enrolment or during the academic year.

Important Information: The College can only pay a contribution towards the cost of childcare during the weeks and sessions when you are timetabled to be at College and during the College term-time. The College does not pay for Christmas, Easter or Summer Holidays. Costs incurred above the support granted are the responsibility of the parent to fund.

For the points above, the following detail applies:

You must be using an OFSTED registered provider which may be a Nursery, pre-school setting or childminder. ‌

If you need support looking for the right childcare for your son or daughter, we have a list of Registered Childcare Providers

*Please also note 2 – 4 year olds may be entitled to 15/30 hours of free nursery education – this entitlement must be used before making a claim for assistance with childcare

This funding can not be used in conjunction with the childcare funding provided by Universal Credit, further information regarding this can be found here.

Eligible students may receive a % towards their monthly childcare costs, if you require further information please speak with our Student Money and Rights Team.

Please contact our Student Money and Rights Team if you have any queries on:

T: 01298 330 414 or E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk

Please be aware that if you received support from the fund in Academic Year 19/20 you will need to reapply in August and you will need to provide a brand new childcare quotation from your chosen provider.

SURE START MATERNITY GRANT

If you are currently pregnant and need help towards the cost of your baby, you may be entitled to the Sure Start Maternity Grant, which is a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child.

You will usually qualify for the grant if both of the following apply:

• you’re expecting your first child, or you’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already
• you or your partner already get certain benefits

UNIVERSAL CREDIT CHILDCARE FUNDING

You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

You (and your partner if you live with them) will usually need to either:

• be working – it does not matter how many hours you or your partner work
• have a job offer

HOW MUCH YOU’LL GET

The most you can get back each month is:

• £646 for one child
• £1108 for 2 or more children

You can claim Universal Credit online

TAX FREE CHILDCARE

You can get up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare.

If you get Tax-Free Childcare, the government will pay £2 for every £8 you pay your childcare provider. This is paid via an online childcare account that you set up for your child.

You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.

Your eligibility depends on:

• if you are working
• how much you earn
• your child’s age and circumstances
• your nationality

15/30 HOURS FREE CHILDCARE

You may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year, which you can choose how you take) if your child is 2 or 3 – 4 years old.

The childcare:

• must be with an approved childcare provider
• stops when your child starts in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)

You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.

Please contact our Student Money and Rights Adviser for further information  

You can your check your eligibility in the guidance below.

We recommend collating any required evidence as soon as possible (online or paper photocopies will suffice).

Processing can take up to 6 weeks from receipt of a complete application during busy periods – please do not hand in an application without all the required evidence as the timeframe for processing will be extended.

If you have any further queries or would like an application form sending out to you, please contact our Student Money and Rights adviser on: E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk.

Please be aware that if you received support from the fund in Academic Year 19/20 you will need to reapply from August 2020. 

FAQ- ALL YOUR GENERAL BURSARY ENQUIRIES ANSWERED (INCLUDING HOW CORONAVIRUS MAY AFFECT OUR BURSARY FUNDS)

We have complied a list of questions and answers for any queries you may have regarding the Bursary Fund whilst our campuses are closed, click show more for further information

The bursary fund provides support towards the additional course costs of attending College, including travel, equipment, fees, field trips and additional courses.

It may be possible for the College to make a contribution towards childcare costs for students who are in receipt of a state benefit. However, please note that there is no guarantee that this will be possible, or what percentage of the overall cost the College will be able to meet.

Students on apprenticeship programmes, or any waged training, are unfortunately not eligible for the Learner Support Fund, please click here to find out what funding may be available to you if you are looking at or doing an apprenticeship.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, STUDENTS MUST:

• • not be in receipt of an Advanced Learning Loan for tuition fees.
  • be enrolled on a Government funded course of Further Education at Buxton and Leek College inclusive of Access students studying at the University of Derby.
  • be aged 19 years or over on 31 August 2020.
  • be a ‘Home’ student – that is someone whose home has been in the UK for three years before the commencement of the course, and who has no restrictions on remaining in the UK. There may be exceptions to this, and clarification can be obtained from Student Wellbeing.
  • have a household income of less than £25,000 per annum

Please note if you are aged 19-25 and in receipt of an EHCP or you are aged 19 years old and continuing on a study programme you began aged 16-18, you need to apply to the 16-19 Bursary Fund, further details regarding this fund can be found here.

Bursary payments issued will be dependent on 85% attendance and behaviour monitoring.

Students on apprenticeship programmes, or any waged training, are unfortunately not eligible for the Learner Support Fund, please click here to find out what funding may be available to you if you are looking at or doing an apprenticeship.

The Learner Support Fund will help students towards the essential costs of your course including:

• Travel
• Books / equipment
• Uniform
• Fees
• Childcare (students aged 20 years or over) if aged under 19, please refer to the Care to Learn scheme
• Other extras i.e. DBS Check, Essential Field Trips

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED WHEN I SUBMIT MY FORM?

(Applicants will need to include photocopies -online or paper copies only – of the following evidence)

Students aged 18 or above who are living at home with parent(s)/ guardian(s) or living on their own

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student including ISA/ Savings Accounts and

• Proof of income from employment or benefits i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)
• If you require assistance towards childcare costs; provide evidence of costs (i.e. quotes or invoices for one week, for the days you are on your course

Students aged 18 or above who are living with a partner

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student and their partner including ISA/ Savings Accounts and

• Proof of income from employment or benefits for the student and their partner i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)
• If you require assistance towards childcare costs; provide evidence of costs (i.e. quotes or invoices for one week, for the days you are on your course

*Please also note 2 – 4 year olds may be entitled to 15/30 hours of free nursery education – this entitlement must be used before making a claim for assistance with childcare

• • • • To apply you will need to:
      • Download the PDF/ Word copy of our application form below and complete it in full (online or printed)
      • Sign your application form-if the PDF copy will not allow you to do this, you will need to provide a separate document i.e. photograph/ scan of your signature which we can then add to your application form
      • Provide evidence to show your household income is below £25,000.00 (please refer to the checklist found within the application form for further detail)

      • FINANCIAL SUPPORT FUND APPLICATION FORM 2020/21

        • Financial Support Fund (PDF)
        • Financial Support Fund (Word)
      • HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED FORM AND EVIDENCE?

        • Once your form is completed , you can submit this along with photocopies of  required supporting evidence to:
        • E: Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk– ensure applications and evidence are supplied on one email where possible.
        • A: The Financial Support Fund Team
        •      CL/208
        •      Clarendon House
        •      Buxton and Leek College
          • Devonshire Road
          • Buxton
          • SK17 6RY
        • When you have submitted your application (with supporting evidence), you will receive an acknowledgement email detailing your receipt number and informing you of when you should hear about a decision from the Financial Support Funding Panel.
        • Following this all future correspondence will be sent to your Unimail Account.
        • Your application will then be considered by the Financial Support Funding Panel who will send you an email informing you of their decision.
        • Awards will, in most circumstances, be paid in instalments and will be dependent on attendance and behaviour.
        • Your application and the information you provide will be stored confidentially and securely, and will only be used for the purpose of assessing your eligibility for the Bursary Fund.

You can your check your eligibility in the guidance below.

We recommend collating any required evidence as soon as possible (online or paper photocopies will suffice).

Processing can take up to 6 weeks from receipt of a complete application during busy periods – please do not hand in an application without all the required evidence as the timeframe for processing will be extended.

If you have any further queries or would like an application form sending out to you, please contact our Student Money and Rights adviser on: E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk.

Please be aware that if you received support from the fund in Academic Year 19/20 you will need to reapply from August 2020. 

FAQ- ALL YOUR GENERAL BURSARY ENQUIRIES ANSWERED (INCLUDING HOW CORONAVIRUS MAY AFFECT OUR BURSARY FUNDS)

We have complied a list of questions and answers for any queries you may have regarding the Bursary Fund whilst our campuses are closed, click show more for further information

The bursary fund provides support towards the additional course costs of attending College, including travel, equipment, field trips and additional courses.

It may be possible for the College to make a contribution towards childcare costs for students who are in receipt of a state benefit. However, please note that there is no guarantee that this will be possible, or what percentage of the overall cost the College will be able to meet.

Students on apprenticeship programmes, or any waged training, are unfortunately not eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary, please click here to find out what funding may be available to you if you are looking at or doing an apprenticeship.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, STUDENTS MUST:

• • be in receipt of an Advanced Learning Loan for tuition fees.
  • be enrolled on a Government funded course of Further Education at Buxton and Leek College inclusive of Access students studying at the University of Derby.
  • be aged 19 years or over on 31 August 2020.
  • be a ‘Home’ student – that is someone whose home has been in the UK for three years before the commencement of the course, and who has no restrictions on remaining in the UK. There may be exceptions to this, and clarification can be obtained from Student Wellbeing.
  • have a household income of less than £25,000 per annum

Bursary payments issued will be dependent on 85% attendance and behaviour monitoring.

The Advanced Learner Loan Bursary will help students towards the essential costs of your course including:

• Travel
• Books / equipment
• Uniform
• Fees
• Childcare (students aged 20 years or over) if aged under 19, please refer to the Care to Learn scheme
• Other extras i.e. DBS Check, Essential Field Trips

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED WHEN I SUBMIT MY FORM?

(Applicants will need to include photocopies only – paper or online- of the following evidence)

Students aged 18 or above who are living at home with parent(s)/ guardian(s) or living on their own

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student including ISA/ Savings Accounts and:

• Proof of income from employment or benefits i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)
• If you require assistance towards childcare costs; provide evidence of costs (i.e. quotes or invoices for one week, for the days you are on your course

Students aged 18 or above who are living with a partner

One recent full months bank statement for every account held by the student and their partner including ISA/ Savings Accounts and:

• Proof of income from employment or benefits for the student and their partner i.e. a recent payslip (if applicable)
• If you require assistance towards childcare costs; provide evidence of costs (i.e. quotes or invoices for one week, for the days you are on your course

*Please also note 2 – 4 year olds may be entitled to 15/30 hours of free nursery education – this entitlement must be used before making a claim for assistance with childcare

• • • • To apply you will need to:
      • Download the PDF/ Word copy of our application form below and complete it in full (online or printed)
      • Sign your application form-if the PDF copy will not allow you to do this, you will need to provide a separate document i.e. photograph/ scan of your signature which we can then add to your application form
      • Provide evidence to show your household income is below £25,000.00 (please refer to the checklist found within the application form for further detail)

      • FINANCIAL SUPPORT FUND APPLICATION FORM 2020/21

        • Financial Support Fund (PDF)
        • Financial Support Fund (Word)
      • HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED FORM AND EVIDENCE?

        • Once your form is completed , you can submit this along with photocopies of  required supporting evidence to:
        • E: Financialsupportfund@blc.ac.uk– ensure applications and evidence are supplied on one email where possible.
        • A: The Financial Support Fund Team
        •      CL/208
        •      Clarendon House
        •      Buxton and Leek College
          • Devonshire Road
          • Buxton
          • SK17 6RY
        • When you have submitted your application (with supporting evidence), you will receive an acknowledgement email detailing your receipt number and informing you of when you should hear about a decision from the Financial Support Funding Panel.
        • Following this all future correspondence will be sent to your Unimail Account.
        • Your application will then be considered by the Financial Support Funding Panel who will send you an email informing you of their decision.
        • Awards will, in most circumstances, be paid in instalments and will be dependent on attendance and behaviour.
        • Your application and the information you provide will be stored confidentially and securely, and will only be used for the purpose of assessing your eligibility for the Bursary Fund.