Funding & Bursaries
There are a variety of ways in which you can get help with Funding & Bursaries while studying, meaning that you don’t have to worry about money while you’re at college. Get advice on applying for funding and assessing your eligibility for financial aid below.
For more information please email our Bursary team at bursary@mkcollege.ac.uk or call 01908 684364.
School Leavers
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is strictly for students aged 16-18 or 19-24 with an active Educational Health care Plan (EHCP) on 31 August 2026 and whose total household income is less that £35,000. If you are 19-24 with an active Educational Health care Plan (EHCP) on 31 August 2026 whose total household income exceeds £35,000 please complete the 16-19 application form to received support with food costs.
Within the 16-18 Bursary Fund, there are two categories which offer different levels of support depending on your personal circumstances.
More information about each category can be found in the relevant sections below or in our 16-18 Bursary Fund policy.
Category 1: 16-18 Discretionary Bursary
Bursary funding is available to eligible students on both full and part-time funded programmes.
A bursary may be available for any student whose annual household income does not exceed £35,000. Evidence of relevant household income/benefits will have to be provided. All income and benefits are taken into account, including Housing Benefit and housing cost support through Universal Credit and Council Tax benefit.
This bursary may be available to assist with the cost of travel, meals, kit and other associated course costs.
Category 2: 16-18 Bursary for Defined Vulnerable Group
A bursary of up to the value of £1,200 a year will be available if you are participating on a study programme that lasts 30 weeks or more. These, mainly in-kind funds, will be available to assist with the costs of travel, meals, books and other associated course costs. Bursary will be adjusted to pro-rata value to students on study programmes of less than 30 weeks.
(Please note that this bursary may not be awarded automatically, though the students may be eligible because they are in one or more defined Vulnerable groups as below, the award will be assessed based on actual financial need and would only receive the amount they actually need to participate on the study programme.)
Students in the following groups will be eligible if enrolled and assessed as being in one of the four defined vulnerable groups:
- In care
- Care leaver
- Young person in receipt of 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
- Young person in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independent Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right.
Free School Meal Scheme
Free School Meal funding is available for all students aged 16+, with an active EHCP on 31 August 2026 and in receipt of, or have parents who are in receipt of Universal Credit or support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Households that are in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guaranteed element of Pension Credit may also be entitled.
To find out if you are eligible or if you have any further questions, please contact our Bursary Team:
📧 bursary@mkcollege.ac.uk
📞 01908 684364
Adults
Financial support is available to help adult learners access and succeed in their studies. Explore the bursaries and funding options below to find out what assistance you may be eligible for during your course at MK College.
Adult Skills Fund (ASF) Bursary (19+)
The Adult Skills Fund Bursary provides financial support for eligible students who are aged 19+ on 31 August 2026, whose total household income is less than £35,000, and you must be studying a qualifying full-time or part-time course. Household Income includes your income, and where applicable your spouse, co-habiting partner or parents.
This bursary may be available to assist with;
- Cost of travel
- Kit
- Other associated course costs.
All income and benefits are taken into account, including Housing Benefit, housing cost support through Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance and Child Tax Credits.
If you need help towards childcare this can be applied for when applying for your ASF (19+) bursary.
There are two bursary options these are:
- 20+ Childcare Bursary
- Care to Learn
More information about these bursaries can be found in the Childcare bursary section below.
You can view the Adult Skills Fund Bursary (19+) policy here.
Advanced Learner Loan
The Advanced Learner Loan is available to students aged 19+ on 31 August 2026, whose household income does not exceed £40,000. Household income includes your own income and that of your spouse, partner, cohabiting partner, or parents (where applicable).
All income and benefits are taken into account, including Housing Benefit, housing cost support through Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Child Tax Credits.
The Advanced Learner Loan bursary is provided to help vulnerable and disadvantaged learners to overcome barriers that may prevent them from taking part in or continuing in learning and therefore priority will be given to these learners.
If you need help towards childcare this can be applied for when applying for you advanced learner loan bursary. There are two bursary options these are:
- 20+ Childcare Bursary
- Care to Learn
More information about these bursaries can be found in the Childcare Bursaries section below. Detailed information about Advance Learner Loan is available on the government website here.
You can view our Advanced Learner Loan policy here.
Childcare Bursaries
20+ Childcare Bursary
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+ at the start of your course and approved for either the ASF (19+) Bursary or Advanced Learner Loan Bursary
- You must use Ofsted registered childcare provision
- If your child is eligible for Free Early Education, your funding will take into account any free hours
You can apply for the 20+ childcare when submitting an application for ASF (19+) Bursary or Advance Learner Loan Bursary.
Care to Learn Scheme
If you are aged 19 or under at the start of your course and you are the main carer for the child and are enrolled onto an eligible course.
To qualify, your childcare provider must be one of the following:
- registered with Ofsted
- registered with a childminder agency
- a school
The Care to Learn Scheme offers financial support of up to £180 per week, per child. Applications can be made through the Bursary Team.
For further information visit Care to Learn Scheme or contact our Bursary Team:
📧 bursary@mkcollege.ac.uk
📞 01908 684364
University-Level
Before applying for MK College bursaries and support funds, you can apply for Student Finance England to help with tuition fees and living costs. Visit Student Finance England to check your eligibility and apply today.
Our Higher Education (HE) Student Grants are available to students studying a university-level course at Milton Keynes College. Within this grant there are three categories which all offer different levels of support depending on your individual circumstances.
More information about each category can be found in the relevant sections below or in our Higher Education Bursary policy 2026 – 2027.
Member Of The Quality Assurance Agency For Higher Education
HE Continuing Student Grant
Students progressing to the next stage of their studies may be eligible for a £500 Progression Grant, paid in two instalments within the academic year.
This grant is available to existing Milton Keynes College students who studied during the 2025/26 academic year and are progressing on one of the following pathways in 2026/27:
- From a Level 3 qualification to either:
- a HNC, or
- the first year of a degree programme
OR
- From a HNC to a HND.
The grant is not means-tested, meaning all students who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.
HE Hardship Fund (Previously Discretionary Support Fund)
This grant provides £600, paid in two instalments, to support students experiencing financial hardship or exceptional circumstances.
Available to students with a household income of less than £35,000 who receive a Maintenance Loan or have explored all available support through Student Finance England (SFE). Household income includes your income and, where applicable, that of your spouse, partner or parent(s).
Awards are made at the College’s discretion, and students may only receive one Hardship Fund award per academic year.
HE Opportunity Fund (New for 26/27)
This grant provides £500, paid in two instalments, for eligible external applicants with a household income of £35,000 or less and/or those from target ethnic minority groups.
Applicants must be in receipt of a Maintenance Loan or have explored all available support through Student Finance England (SFE). Evidence of all household income and any additional loans or grants must be provided as part of the application.
Household income includes your income and, where applicable, that of your spouse, partner or parent(s).
Please note: The amount of bursary provided will depend on individual circumstances and may be subject to change due to the availability of funds. Payments will be adjusted for programmes that do not run over a full academic year.
If you are in support of any state benefits it is your responsibility to inform the Department for Work and Pensions about any learner support you receive as the learner support payments may affect your eligibility for some state benefits.
To check your eligibility or if you have any further questions, please contact our Bursary Team:
📧 bursary@mkcollege.ac.uk
📞 01908 684364