Funding & Bursaries

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.

This bursary may be available to assist with the cost of travel, meals, kit and other associated course costs.

16 – 18 Further Education Bursary Policy

A bursary of up to £1,200 a year (if you are participating on a study programme that lasts 30 weeks or more; a pro-rata amount is paid to students on study programmes of less than 30 weeks) will be available to assist with the costs of travel, meals, books and other associated course costs.

(Please note that this full amount 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.

Milton Keynes College currently offers a Free College Meal Scheme. Meal option is available via Bursary, please apply to Bursary or to find out if you are eligible, please email our Bursary team at bursary@mkcollege.ac.uk or call 01908 684364.

Students aged 19 and over as of 31st August 2024 could be eligible to receive financial support. Bursary Funding is available to students who are studying on a qualifying, funded full or part-time course.

A bursary could be available to students whose household income does not exceed £35,000, this includes your own, spouse, co-habiting partner or parents, if applicable. This bursary may be available to assist with the cost of travel, meals, kit and other associated course costs.

If you need help towards childcare, you can apply for 20+ Childcare Bursary, if you are over 20 years of age.

Those under 20 years of age can apply for childcare assistance through the Care to Learn.

19+ Further Education Bursary Policy

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 or over and approved for a 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

20+ childcare application option will be available only when main 19+ Bursary or Advance Learner Loan application is Submitted.

Childcare Guidance

If you are under the age of 20 at the start of your course, Care to Learn can help with childcare costs. It is only available if the student’s childcare provider is Ofsted registered and offers up to £180 per week per child. Students must apply to C2L directly by completing an online application form.

For further information visit www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or call 01908 684364 or click here to contact our Bursary Team.

Students aged 19 and over on the first day of their course, who have been approved for an Advanced Learner Loan, could be eligible to receive financial support from the Milton Keynes College Advanced Learner Loan Bursary. A bursary could be available to students whose household income does not exceed £35,000, this includes your own, spouse, co-habiting partner or parents (if applicable).

Priority will be given to vulnerable groups and disadvantaged learners. The loans bursary fund is provided to help vulnerable and disadvantaged learners to overcome barriers that may prevent them from taking part in or continuing in learning.

If you need help towards childcare, you can apply for 20+ Childcare Bursary, if you are over 20 years of age.

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.

Detailed information about Advance Learner Loan is available on Advanced Learner Loan: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Policy