19+ Students
Finance and Funding Information
We may be able to help you cover the costs of studying at Gateshead College.
If you are struggling to cover the cost of coming to college, we may be able to help.
Funds are available to assist financially disadvantaged learners through one of two Government-backed funds – 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund and Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund.
What is 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund?
If you are aged over 19 on 31st August 2023 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:
- Help towards course fees - we will support 100% of fee costs up to a maximum of £1000.
- Help towards travel costs - if you live over 2 miles from your college campus.
- Help towards equipment/kit/uniform/books – may not cover full costs but will be a contribution towards.
- Help towards childcare costs – you must find an Ofsted registered provider and will be awarded for when you are timetabled to attended college. We do have maximum costs so it might not cover full costs: Nursery (Full Day £45, Half Day £30), Childminder (£11 Per Hour), Out of School Club (AM £5, PM £10).
- Help towards other course costs – you have to be studying full time on Level 2 or 3 course and not in receipt of benefits or have an annual income over £4000 (other conditions apply). This is to contribute towards loss of income or benefits for living costs but not to replace them.
What is Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund?
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:
- Help towards travel costs - if you live over 2 miles from your college campus.
- Help towards equipment/kit/uniform/books – may not cover full costs but will be a contribution towards.
- Help towards childcare costs – you must find an Ofsted registered provider and will be awarded for when you are timetabled to attended college. We do have maximum costs so it might not cover full costs: Nursery (Full Day £45, Half Day £30), Childminder (£11 Per Hour), Out of School Club (AM £5, PM £10).
- Help towards other course related costs – have to be studying full time on Level 3 course and not in receipt of benefits or annual income over £4000 (other conditions apply). This is to contribute towards loss of income or benefits for living costs but not to replace them.
To be eligible for funds above you:
- Must meet residency criteria
- Have a gross annual household income below £35,000 couple or £30,000 single including any Working Tax Credit/Universal Credit or
- Be in receipt of the following benefits: Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance/Income Related Employment and Support Allowance/Universal Credit/Guaranteed Pension Credit
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 19+ Info Booklet & Terms & Conditions.
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 support.funds@gateshead.ac.uk or call 0191 4904627.
Visit our online financial support application system by clicking here
Fees Support Applications - please be aware application for Fees Support is a paper based form.
To access Fees Support application please email support.funds@gateshead.ac.uk or call 0191 490 4627. Application will also be available from Support Funds Team at Baltic Campus and at most reception points.
Travel Information
For information about tickets available and discounts go to:
For students with disabilities or learning difficulties visit www.nexus.org.uk/ticket-information/concessions/disabled-adults
Contact the Support Funds Team
For information about student funding contact:
Support Funds Team
Baltic Campus
Quarryfield Road
Gateshead
NE8 3BE
0191 490 4627
FAQ
When you apply online, you will be asked to upload evidence of your/parents’ income.
Your application may take up to 14 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.
All eligible students have the right to request a review of the initial assessment. If funds are depleted, or the individual or the course is not eligible for support, there are no grounds for a review or appeal. Details will be in your notification letter.
- Recent payslips or P60
- All pages of 2023-2024 Tax Credits Awards
- Last 3 Universal Credit award statements showing all the sections including any income and deductions
- Accountants statement or tax return for the most recent tax year (for those self-employed)
- Recent State Pension/Credit awards letter showing payments
- All pages of a recent Income Support/JSA/ESA award letter
- Bank statements clearly showing benefit going into account (only for those who cannot provide recent letter for above benefits or who are living with parents and have no personal income)
- Evidence of asylum support - this could be letter from Home Office or Aspen Card
