Financial Support

Cash for College – financial support for students

Cash for College – financial support for students

Is your annual household income £43,680 or less?

Is your household in receipt of universal credit or other benefits?

16-18 years old and in care of a care leaver?

If you’ve said yes to any of the above, we could give you funding to support your education. 

Types of Support

• 16-19 Discretionary Bursary
• 16-19 Vulnerable Bursary
• 16-19 Care to Learn (– apply via www.gov.uk/care-to-learn.)
• 19+ Discretionary Learner Support
• 19+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Fund

The household income thresholds for support are as follows:

• Band 1 Up to £29,485 and/or in receipt of income-based benefits
• Band 2            £29,486 – £36,038
• Band 3             £36,039 – £43,680

Students assessed as being in Band 1 will be eligible to claim up to 100% of the maximum aware subject to resource availability and need. Band 2 – 60% and Band 3 – 30%

Vulnerable Bursary

If you are 16-18 years old on 31/08/2023 and one of the following applies to you, you may be able to access a bursary paid weekly, of up to £1,200 per year. 

• In Care
• Care Leaver
• Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit as the student is living independently or supporting a dependant.
• Receiving both PIP/DLA and ESA/UC in the student’s own right

Please note, this funding is not guaranteed and is based on financial need – www.halesowen.ac.uk/learners/care-experienced-learners/

What funding can Cash for College provide? 

• Meals – Monies loaded onto your college ID card to use in the college eatery’s (not transferable for cash)
• Equipment and Uniform – Essential equipment and uniform can be funded if it is a requirement for the course.
• Work Placement – Travel to work placement can be funded if required.
• UCAS – application fees can be covered
• Childcare – Click here to apply This covers:
  • A contribution towards your Childcare costs whilst you are studying at College.
• Additional Travel – Click here to apply This covers:
  • Travel if you cannot use College coaches due to medical reasons. You will need to supply evidence for this.
  • Travel if you live over 30 minutes walk from the nearest College coach stop. 
  • Travel to/from College work placements.
  • Travel to University open days.

How to Apply:

Follow the link for the Application Form – journey.halesowen.ac.uk/auth/login

Here’s the small print:

• Evidence of income and benefits will need to be provided
• Any monies paid will need to be paid directly into the student’s own bank account
• Part time students will be paid on a pro rata basis.
• All funds are distributed on a needs basis and are subject to affordability
• Funds are finite and are allocated on a first come, first served basis
• The amount of funding available is dependent on your total household income
• Apprenticeships, HE, under 16 years old and non ESFA courses are not funded.
• All financial support is subject to satisfactory attendance and behaviour

Contact Us

Please contact us if you have any queries regarding LSF using the following details:

Student Hub, Whittingham Road Campus

Live Chat – www.halesowen.ac.uk

Phone – 0121 602 7888 Email – studentservices@halesowen.ac.uk