List of Eligible Programme Types 2018/19
Your course must be either:
- funded directly by ESFA or by ESFA via a local authority
- funded or co-financed by the European Social Fund
- otherwise publicly funded and lead to a qualification (up to and including Level 3)
- accredited by Ofqual or is pursuant to Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000
Students must provide evidence of how they meet the three strands of eligibility for financial support to include age, residency and household income, as well as be studying on a programme that is subject to inspection by a public body such as Ofsted and the course must be funded directly by the ESFA or by the European Social Fund (ESF) – we can establish this fact from our college database.
Bursary applications will be judged in line with AEB funding guidance for 2018/19.
For the Advanced Learner Loans Bursary, students must have already applied for the Advanced Learner Loan. The college will verify this on the Student Loans Company (SLC) portal; bursary applications will be put on hold where we are unable to view a student’s application status on the portal.
Bursary Eligibility 2018-19
All full time and part time students (including those in receipt of an Advanced Learner Loan) studying on an ESFA funded course, including traineeships, at The Bedford College Group and its incorporated sites (Bedford campus, Kempston campus, Shuttleworth College, Tresham campuses and The Bedford Sixth Form) are eligible to apply for support where they meet the following criteria:
- are aged 19 or over on 31 August 2018 and not on a traineeship
- have lived within the UK / EEA for 3 years prior to the start of the course
- have a household income of less than £28,000 are in receipt of a means-tested benefit or tax credits
In addition, the following will be considered for the Adult Support Fund, those who:
- have learning difficulties or disabilities
- are care leavers (previous VLB students)
- are participating on a Prince’s Trust Team Programme
- are on probation or supervised by the Youth Offending Service
- experience a sudden change in circumstances, such as redundancy
Exceptions
- Students that have been mandated to training (full-time or part-time) by Jobcentre Plus will have their travel and childcare costs met by Jobcentre Plus (JCP) where required.
- Students who do not qualify for the Adult Support Fund may be considered for support via external educational charities (where available and subject to conditions).
- International students are not eligible for any financial support.
- If an asylum seeker is eligible for support, we can only provide support in the form of course-related books, equipment or a travel pass. We are not permitted to give the student financial support in the form of cash.