Help with costs.

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 people who need it the most. We encourage everyone who is eligible to apply so we can make best use of this money.

Group of students stood outside on stairs laughing with each other

Need Help?

Contact our Support Funds Team

Call: 0191 490 4627

Email: [email protected]

 

What support is there?

Higher Rate Bursary

If you are aged under 19 years old on 31st August 2025 and fall into one of the qualifying categories, you may be eligible for a Higher Rate Bursary worth up to £1,200 per academic year.

You may receive a monthly amount paid into your bank account, towards your meals and general college expenses.

College will also look at helping you with other costs such as kit/uniform/books.

You may request that college provide you with travel support providing you live more than 1 mile away, but this cost will be deducted from your Bursary.

Students are not automatically entitled to £1,200 per year.

We will assess your application to identify an actual financial need.

It may be the case that you receive a reduced amount or no award at all.

The Higher Rate Bursary can be made up of awards below to help towards costs of attending college:

  • Travel: if you live more than 1 mile away from your college campus and depending on your circumstances a bus pass (currently Go North East only) or a cash contribution towards costs (paid on monthly basis).
  • Course Grant: help towards equipment/uniform/PPE.
  • Meal Support: a food allowance of £4.00 per timetabled day usually via a meal app or card (for those not eligible for official Free College Meals).
  • Monthly Payment: possible monthly payment which is paid into your bank account which may include your travel support or any other course related costs as per financial need.

Students are not automatically entitled to £1,200 per year.  We will assess your application to identify actual financial need so please give as much information as possible on application form. It may be the case that you receive a reduced amount or no award at all.

How to apply?

Do you the student fall into one of the categories below:

  • Classed as a ‘Looked After’ child by the Local Authority.
  • Have been ‘In Care’ and now classed as a ‘Care Leaver’.
  • Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in your own right.
  • Receiving both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in your own right.

Evidence needed:

  • In Care or Care Leaver – written confirmation of current or previous looked-after status from the relevant Local Authority.
  • 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) – evidence of Income Support or Universal Credit award summary.
  • In receipt of BOTH ESA and DLA or PIP – evidence of Employment Support Allowance AND Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.

Discretionary Bursary

If you do not qualify for a Higher Rate Bursary, you may still be entitled to discretionary funds to help with the cost of coming to college.

We will need to see your parents/carers’ income if you are aged between 16-18 at 31st August 2025 or 19-24 with EHCP.

We may be able to give you help towards the following:

  • Help towards travel costs – if you live over 1 mile from your college campus (currently Go North East bus pass or a cash contribution towards costs).
  • Help towards equipment/kit/uniform/books – may not cover full costs but will be a contribution towards.
  • Those eligible for travel costs will receive partial award for course costs.

How to apply?

We will need to see your parents/carers’ income if you are aged between 16-18 at 31st August 2025 or 19-24 with EHCP.

To be eligible you must:

  • 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.

Free College Meals

You could be eligible towards the cost of a meal per day while you are at college.

If you are aged under 19 on 31st August 2024 or 19-24 with EHCP and meet the income/allowance criteria.

A food allowance of £4.00 will be available each day that you are timetabled to attend, including work placements.

For more information please see our 16-18 Info Booklet & Terms & Conditions

How to apply?

If you are aged under 19 on 31st August 2025 or 19-24 with EHCP and meet the criteria below.

You (if you are living independently) or your parents/carers are in receipt of one of the following:

  • Income support.
  • Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 per year (after tax and not including any benefits received).
  • Income Based Jobseekers Allowance.
  • Income related Employment Support Allowance.
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  • Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.
  • Child Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of less than £16,190 as assessed by HMRC. If in receipt of Working Tax Credits, you are NOT entitled to free meals, regardless of income amount.
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

For more information please see our 16-18 Info Booklet & Terms & Conditions

See our 16-18 Bursary Fund Statement.

Students who receive any BACS payments from the fund for course-related equipment, materials, meals or travel costs are required to retain and submit valid receipts or other acceptable proof of purchase. Receipts must clearly show the date, item(s) purchased, and total amount spent. More information will be given in award letter.

Bursary payments are normally made directly into a bank account in the student’s name. Guidance suggests that payments should not be made into a parent’s, carer’s, or any other third party’s account (unless the student has an appointee to handle payments)

If you do not currently have a bank account, you will need to open one before any payments can be made. Most high street banks offer basic bank accounts suitable for students aged 16 and over.

Care to Learn – Childcare

If you are under 20 at the start of your course and need help with childcare costs, you can apply to Care to Learn.

This scheme is not means tested and you just have to use registered childcare.

You need to find a childcare provider prior to applying for help with costs. All awards are paid direct to your provider. You are liable for any fees incurred prior to an award being agreed. If you choose to use a provider whose charges are in excess of our maximum award you could be liable for these fees. The maximum award is £180 per child per week.

Awards are calculated on your timetable and when you are due to attend your course only (placements are also supported). If you use childcare outside of these hours you will be liable for the fees.

To apply for Care to Learn Childcare please complete bursary application and you will be asked to provide details of your chosen childcare provider.

Please ask if you need any help. If you need help finding childcare provider you can contact your Local Authority.

PLEASE BE AWARE WE HAVE MADE CHANGES TO ELIGIBILITY AND AWARDS FOR THIS ACADEMIC YEAR SO YOUR AWARDS MAY DIFFER TO WHAT YOU RECEIVED LAST ACADEMIC YEAR.


apply now. 

Applications for 25/26 Academic Year open in July.

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.

Gateshead College Foundation

A financial support fund unique to us, we can offer you grants on top of the other financial bursaries available, to help you get the most out of your studies.

Gateshead College students who have been supported by the Gateshead College Foundation_

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)

As a Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) Dual Career accredited college, we give talented athletes the opportunity to combine academic excellence with elite performance support.