How to Apply for a College Bursary

New City College is committed to ensuring our students are fully supported in their studies. We will carry out a financial assessment for all applicants to establish their needs.

We understand that being a student in financial hardship can be a huge hurdle to overcome. Funds are available to assist students with the costs associated with attending college such as essential kits, uniforms, materials, childcare, etc.

You may be eligible to access financial support through the following funds during the academic year:

16 to 19 Bursary (including free college meals)
19+ Adult Bursary
Advanced Learner Loan Bursary
20+ Childcare

To apply for bursary and childcare please click here.

Further information and guidance are below. Please read carefully.

You must register first and then submit your application including the supporting documents requested on the application form. The process is fairly straightforward but if you are not confident in using the online feature, you may wish to ask a family member or a friend to support you. Bursary staff will also be available at the main campuses if you need further advice. Once you have submitted your application you will receive updates and notifications sent to your college email address.

Click here to view the video on how to apply.

Click here to view the user guide on how to apply.

16 to 19 Bursary including free college meals

Students must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2022 to be eligible for help from the bursary fund in 2022 to 2023 academic year. Students aged 19 on 31st August are only eligible to receive a discretionary bursary if they are continuing on a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (‘19+ continuers’) or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) up to the age of 24.

The two types of Bursaries are Discretionary bursary and Vulnerable bursary

	Discretionary Bursary	Vulnerable Bursary
Age	16-18 or 19-24 with EHCP	16-18
Eligibility & Evidence Proof of income must be dated within 3 months of application.	Students who have a household income of less than £26,000 per year or in receipt of a means tested benefit such as: -Income Support -Jobseekers Allowance -Employment Support Allowance (ESA) -Support under part IV of the -Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 -Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit -Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit with an annual gross income of £26,000 or less -Universal Credit	Students who are: -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
How much will you receive and when?	The amount awarded is dependent on assessment of need and available funds. Payments will be made in 5 half-termly instalments.	TOTAL: Up to £1200 per year which will be paid in 5 half termly instalments. This is dependent on assessment of need.

Free College Meals

Students eligible for the 16-19 bursary will receive a daily amount of £3.50. This will buy a nutritious meal deal. You simply touch your student ID card at the college food counters.

ALL students aged 14-19 (& 19-24 with an EHCP) will receive £3.50 credit on their card each day for the first two weeks of the Autumn term in September.
Support for Essential Equipment/Kit/Uniform

If your course requires you to purchase kit/uniform or equipment, and your family is on a low income, you can apply for support towards these costs. If you qualify, the curriculum area may order these for you, or we may reimburse you if you have purchased the items in advance.
Payments & Deadline

The award amount will depend on the timing of your application and subject to you obtaining an attendance of 90% or above for full payment. Where attendance is between 75% and 89% you will only receive 50% of the bursary. Payments will be withheld for attendance lower than 75%. You can ONLY submit an appeal through your tutor/progress coach if you can EVIDENCE an exceptional reason for why you should receive a payment. All payments will be made via bank transfer into the student’s own bank account. You are strongly advised to apply as soon as you start your course. Late applications will be assessed on a first come first served basis subject to the availability of funds. Payments will not be backdated for late applicants, for example, we cannot backdate the first half term payment if an application is made in the second half term.

19+ Adult Bursary

The Adult Bursary is for students who will be aged 19 or over on 31 August 2022. The fund is there to support learners with maintenance, materials, stationery including books, additional academic support, and other educational costs.

Eligibility

Age	19 or over on 31st August
Eligibility & Evidence Proof of income must be dated within 3 months of application.	Students must be aged 19 or over on 31st August 2022. Students who have an income of less than £26,000 per year or in receipt of a means tested benefit such as: -Income Support -Jobseekers Allowance -Employment Support Allowance (ESA) -Support under part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 -Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit -Working Tax Credit with an annual gross income of £26,000 or less -Universal Credit
How much will you receive and when?	Payments are based on the number of timetabled hours a learner is studying per week (minimum 4 hours). It is also dependent on attendance, amount of funding and applications received. Learners on high cost courses who have paid tuition fees may receive a higher bursary payment. If your course requires you to purchase kit/uniform or equipment, and you are on low income, you can apply for support towards these costs. If you qualify, the curriculum area may order these for you or we may reimburse you if you have purchased the items in advance. Payment will be made in one instalment in January. Late applicants will be notified of payment date subject to availability of funds. The award amount will depend on the timing of your application and subject to you obtaining an attendance of 90% or above for full payment. Where attendance is between 75% and 89% you will only receive 50% of the bursary. Payments will be withheld for attendance lower than 75%. You can ONLY submit an appeal through your tutor/progress coach if you can EVIDENCE an exceptional reason for why you should receive a payment. All payments will be made via bank transfer only.

Age

19 or over on 31st August

Eligibility & Evidence

Proof of income must be dated within 3 months of application.

Students must be aged 19 or over on 31st August 2022.

Students who have an income of less than £26,000 per year or in receipt of a means tested benefit such as:

-Income Support
-Jobseekers Allowance
-Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
-Support under part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
-Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
-Working Tax Credit with an annual gross income of £26,000 or less
-Universal Credit

How much will you receive and when?

Payments are based on the number of timetabled hours a learner is studying per week (minimum 4 hours). It is also dependent on attendance, amount of funding and applications received.

Learners on high cost courses who have paid tuition fees may receive a higher bursary payment. If your course requires you to purchase kit/uniform or equipment, and you are on low income, you can apply for support towards these costs. If you qualify, the curriculum area may order these for you or we may reimburse you if you have purchased the items in advance.

Payment will be made in one instalment in January. Late applicants will be notified of payment date subject to availability of funds. The award amount will depend on the timing of your application and subject to you obtaining an attendance of 90% or above for full payment. Where attendance is between 75% and 89% you will only receive 50% of the bursary. Payments will be withheld for attendance lower than 75%. You can ONLY submit an appeal through your tutor/progress coach if you can EVIDENCE an exceptional reason for why you should receive a payment. All payments will be made via bank transfer only.

Advanced Learner Loan Students

You can apply for a bursary as long as your loan has been approved and you meet the eligibility criteria above.  Evidence of your loan status will also be required. You may be eligible for a payment of up to £375 for the academic year which will be split into 3 equal instalments. You may also be eligible for childcare support.

Deadline

There are no deadlines but you are strongly advised to apply online as soon as you start your course as applications received by the end of November are usually processed in January.  Applications submitted after November will be assessed on a first come first served basis subject to availability of funds.

20+ Childcare

If you are a parent who is aged 20+ and your income is less than £26,000 per year you may qualify for support towards childcare whilst you study. The College will contribute or make full payment of up to £175 per week term time only towards the cost of private OFSTED registered childcare, subject to eligibility and availability of funds.

On-campus childcare facilities

One World Nursery is based at the Hackney campus. Please call 020 7510 7565 for more information on admission.

Supporting Evidence

Learners must apply online using the application link above and attach the supporting evidence mentioned in the table below.

Childcare Provider	Supporting Evidence
Ofsted registered private nursery/after school club	Proof of income Child’s full birth certificate Invoice or letter confirming start date, weekly cost and bank details
Ofsted Registered Childminder	Proof of income Child’s full birth certificate Childminders Insurance copy Childminders registration copy Invoice or letter confirming start date, weekly cost and bank details

Care to Learn for younger parents

If you are a young parent aged 19 or under when you start your course, Care to Learn may be able to help pay for your childcare.

Visit Care to learn.

Contact your borough Family Information Service if you need help with finding a local childcare provider.

For further advice, please see the bursary advisor at the campus you attend. Opening times are available on the student VLE page under heading Student Information > Welfare, Bursary and Childcare.