We have grants and bursaries available to help cover some of the costs of coming to college such as travel, food and equipment. This funding is provided to us by the Government and is available to the people who need it the most. We encourage everyone who is eligible to apply so we can make best use of this money.
Contact our Support Funds Team
Call: 0191 490 0300
Email: [email protected]
WHAT SUPPORT IS THERE?
If you are aged over 19 on 31st August 2024 and studying on Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2 courses, or studying on Level 3 courses and have received fee remission, we may be able to give you help towards the following:
If you are aged over 19, studying on Level 3 course and have taken out in full or part an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your course fees, we may be able to give you help towards the following:
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for the funds you:
This would be gross annual household income and if you are over 19 and living with parents we will ask for your personal income, not the income of your parents.
For more information please see our 19+ Info Booklet & Terms & Conditions.
How to apply?
Our online application system allows you to apply, access and view your bursary payments easily and securely. With the online portal you’ll be able to see any upcoming payments and view your payments status.
In order to set up an account with PayMyStudent you need your Student Number. If you do not know your Student Number please contact us by email [email protected] or call 0191 490 4627.
Click here for the online application form
You can apply for fees support on the grounds of low income and we can support 100% of the fee cost up to a maximum of £1000.
The Fees Support application is a paper application form.
To access Fees Support application please email [email protected] or call 0191 490 4627. Applications will also be available from Support Funds Team at Baltic Campus and at most reception points.
How long do applications take?
When you apply online, you will be asked to upload evidence of your/parents’ income.
Your application may take up to 10 working days to process. We will email or write to you with a decision. Please ensure, where possible, that you submit your application in plenty of time before you start your course.
You need to ensure you can fund at least 2-3 weeks travel to college.
You may also want to purchase your own equipment/kit/uniform before starting the course as awards will not be processed until you are confirmed as attending your course.
If you’re over 19 and want to study a level 3 or above qualification, which includes A Levels, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and other vocational study programmes, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan to cover the costs of the course fees.
You don’t have to take a loan, but if you do it means you can start your course now and pay the course fee back at a later date in small, easy to manage instalments.
There are no upfront fees, no credit check and repayments only start once you earn over £27,295.
How to apply:
You do not need to pay these up front and may be eligible for a fees loan which will be paid direct to the college.
In addition to the fees loan, you may apply for extra financial support.
For a quick estimate of what support you might expect to receive try the student finance calculator.
This is to help with living costs.
The maximum amount you can borrow depends upon where you live and part of the loan depends on household income.
Living at home – up to £8,610 for the year.
Living away from home – up to £10,227 for the year.
You can apply for an Adult Dependants’ Grant if you have a partner or another adult who depends on you financially.
You can get up to £3,438 a year depending on your household income, which is your income plus the income of your dependants (including your husband, wife or partner).
Your personal circumstances, for example if you’re married or have children and what other grants you’re receiving, for example Childcare Grant.
This helps with course-related costs if you have dependent children.
You could get between £50 and £1,963 a year depending on your income and the income of your husband, wife or partner and any dependant.
You can apply for help to pay your childcare costs.
You could get up to 85% of your weekly costs – a maximum of £193.62 per week for one child, or £331.95 per week if you have two or more children.
If either you or your partner get the childcare element of Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit, or Tax-Free Childcare from HM Revenue & Customs, you won’t be able to get Childcare Grant as well, but you can choose to get it instead.
DSA is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability.
This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.
The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs – not your household income. You do not need to pay back DSA.
The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) provides scholarships for FULL and PART time students (subject to conditions & funds being available).
Any help you receive from the fund is usually non-repayable.