Explore available bursaries and eligibility criteria, with clear guidance on how to apply and what documents you’ll need. Review key deadlines, funding tips, and support services to help you manage your finances confidently.
Lots of our students receive financial help through our bursary which is open to adults and young students, and includes free college meals for 16-18 year olds.
Find out if you are eligible and apply by reading more about the bursary scheme here.
16+ Zip Oyster
Students living in a London Borough – students aged 16-18, in full time education and living in a London Borough will receive free bus travel and 50% off adult rate pay as you go train fares. Students aged 18 can apply for the 16+ Zip Oyster if they were aged 18 on 31st August and live in a London Borough.
Students living outside of London – students can apply if they are aged 16-17 in full time education. They will receive 50% off adult rate pay as you go bus and train fares within the London Zones. Once the student turns 18, they will no longer be eligible for the 16+ Zip Oyster.
Apply online here: 16+ Zip Oyster photocard – Transport for London
18+ Student Oyster Card
For students aged 19 living in a London Borough, who have 15 hours of study on their timetable per week.
This oyster gives a 30% discount on adult rate weekly and Monthly Travelcards only. If you are paying daily fares there is no discount, you will be charged the full adult pay as you go fare. Do NOT apply for the 18+ oyster if the student meets the 16+ Zip Oyster criteria.
Apply online here: 18+ Student Oyster photocard – Transport for London
C2C Rail student discount
Students travelling on the C2C rail line can apply for C2C Student Smart Card. This gives a 1/3 off weekly, term time, monthly and annual tickets. See here for the stations this applies to: Find the best train route to suit you | c2c
Apply online here: c2c Smartcard | Beat the queues at the station
16-17 Saver Rail Card
Students aged 16-17 can save 50% off standard Anytime, Off Peak, Advanced and Season tickets for rail travel at any time of the day.
Apply online here: 16-17 Saver | Half Price Travel | Railcards
16-25 Railcard
Students aged between 16-25 can save a 1/3 off National Rail tickets. You can buy a 1 year or 3 year Railcard.
Apply online here: Benefits – 16-25 Railcard
To reduce the cost of travel to college, students should apply for the relevant discount card as soon as possible, before applying for the college Bursary.
Central Connect Bus Information – Harlow, Epping & Ongar
For students living in the Harlow, Epping and Ongar areas, the number 20 Central Connect bus provides a service from Harlow to Chipping Ongar. This bus stops at Epping tube station for connections to the Central Line and TFL Tube zones.
Further information can be found here: Central Connect – Local and School Bus Services
Financial Support with travel costs
Students can apply for financial support with travel costs by completing the online Bursary and Free Meals application. This can be accessed via the MyNCC mobile App or the student VLE on a college computer.
These Government loans are available to students aged 19+ for eligible Further Education courses at Levels 3 and above, if you are not entitled to full funding for your course.
Before making your decision to take a loan, we recommend you visit the Money Advice Service website for independent advice.
Download the Advanced Learner Loan Factsheet here.
Qualifying for an Advanced Learner Loan depends on your course, college or training provider, age and nationality or residency status. You can find information about the eligibility criteria, interest and repayments by clicking this link: Advanced Learner Loan
The loan is easy to apply for, your household income is not considered and it does not involve a credit check. If your course is eligible, the loan will fund your tuition fees at Level 3 and above, including HE Access courses. You only start to pay back the loan once you have finished your course and you are earning over £25,000 per year. Until then you do not need to start paying back the loan but you can make voluntary repayments at any time.
Whether you are a parent returning to work, a job seeker looking to enhance your employment prospects, or you are thinking about a career change, there is a New City College course that is right for you, and the financial help to get you started.
If you decide to apply for the loan you will need a learning and funding information letter to be able to complete the online application. You will receive this letter following your offer of a place on the course. You will need a National Insurance number to complete your loan application and a valid passport if you have one.
Click here to Begin Your Loan Application
If you are applying to study a degree course, do not apply for the Advanced Learner Loan. Please see information on applying for Higher Education funding by clicking this link: Student Finance
Please contact our advice team for more information on advanced learner loans
advice@ncclondon.ac.uk
Tel: 0330 135 9000
