Additional Financial Support
If you are claiming benefits or on a low income, we may be able to provide financial support to help you while you are studying with us.
Travel
Travel support is available to learners who meet specific criteria. To qualify for a bus ticket, you must:
- Live more than two miles from your learning centre
- Be in receipt of Universal Credit (or an equivalent benefit)
- Or if employed, have an annual income of less than £26,800.
Evidence of eligibility is required before a bus ticket can be issued. Learners who live within two miles of the centre are not normally eligible unless they provide supporting evidence from a GP or other healthcare professional confirming a medical condition that significantly affects their mobility.
Eligible learners may also wish to explore free or discounted travel passes available through the Bee Network.
Childcare
If you’re the parent or carer to children under the age of three, who are not in school, we may be able to help with the cost of childcare while you attend your course.
In addition to our childcare support, you may be able to get support from the government:
- Parents of children aged 3 and 4 are entitled to 15 hours free childcare irrespective of income levels or benefit status.
- Parents who work 16+ hours a week and earn less than £100,000 a year are entitled to 30 hours of free childcare a week.
DBS
If you’re studying a course with us and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for your work placement, we can help you pay for it.
ChromeBooks
If access to a laptop is required for your course so that you’re able to complete assignments, but you do not have access to one of these, we may be able to help through our ChromeBook loan scheme. This request can be done via your tutor when you start a course.