Learner Support Fund (LSF)
- Learner Support Fund
Applications for academic year 2026/27 are now open. You must have an active course application to apply. Money in each fund is limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. Applications received by 31 July 2026 will be prioritised. Applications for Learner Support Funds from 1 August will be accepted, but funding is not guaranteed.
You should apply through your Learner Hub account. Click on the link in the left hand menu. If you are using a mobile phone click on the burger menu to see all options.
We manage two means tested funds to help support students who may find it difficult to come to college without some financial support. One is for students aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with an EHCP) when they start their course; the other is for adults who are 19 or older when they start their course.
Both funds help to pay for the costs of things such as travel to and from college, uniforms and equipment needed to study, and childcare. Some students can claim for a meal in college on the days you on campus.
The money in both fund is limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis, so you should apply as soon as possible.
Eligibility criteria
16-18 Fund | 19+ Fund | |
|---|---|---|
Age on 31 August | 16-18 unless you are 19 or older and continuing on a student programme which began when you were 16-18. 19-24 and have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) | 19 and older |
Maximum household income | £33,000 gross and in receipt of Universal Credit | £33,000 gross and in receipt of Universal Credit |
Maximum single student or independent student income | £26,800 gross | £26,800 gross |
Level of qualification being studied | Up to and including level 3 | Up to and including level 3 |
What you can receive
16-18 Fund | 19+ Fund |
|---|---|
Bus pass (if you live 3 miles or further from the campus you study at) | Bus pass (if you live 1.7 miles or further from the campus you study at) |
Essential uniform and equipment | Essential uniform and equipment |
Materials fees | Materials fees and printing credit |
Subsidised meals at college | Childcare |
The Government changed rules about who is eligible for free school meals in 2026. From September 2026 all young people aged under 19 on 31 August of the year they start their course (and those aged 19-24 with an Education and Health Care Plan) and in full time education may qualify for free schools meals if their family receives Universal Credit (UC). Previously only households receiving UC and with earning less than £7,400 a year were eligible.
How much you receive for free school meals depends on your household income. Students in households earning less than £7,400.00 a year will receive £3.15 for a meal, for each timetabled days in college. Students in households receiving UC with earnings £7,400.01 or above will receive £2.66 towards a meal, for each full day they are timetabled in college.
We also have a bursary for vulnerable 16-18 year olds. You don’t have to apply for this separately, we will review applications for the Learner Support Fund and if you are eligible you will receive this additional payment.
The bursary is paid on a weekly basis, during term time directly to your bank account. The maximum you can receive each year is £1,200.
Childcare costs
Childcare must be provided by a register OFSTED provider and must be approved by a welfare advisor. We pay a maximum of £70 a day or £35 for a half day. If you use a childminder we pay £7 an hour.
If you child is eligible for 15 or 30 hours of free early years education this must be used to cover the cost of sessions, before we will pay any childcare costs.
Payments are made directly to the provider.