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Financial Support
Studying at Stanmore College is an investment in your future.
It is essential that attending College remains affordable and that you have access to any eligible financial support.
Our Student Services team can assist with applications for bursaries or additional funding.
16-19 Discretionary Learner Support Fund
To be eligible, you or your parents/carers must be in receipt of means tested benefits and/or have a gross household income of £35,000 or below.
Read the [LSF Eligibility Guide] for details on the evidence required to assess household income.
If you’re under 20, have dependent(s), and need help with childcare costs while attending college, you can apply for Care to Learn funding. For more information and how to apply, visit: https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn
Eligibility Criteria
• Be 16 or over but under 19 on 31st August
• Be 19 to 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan
• Be a “19+ continuer”: 19 or over on 31st August, continuing an eligible study programme started aged 16 to 18 (discretionary bursaries only)
• Be 16 to 18 and in care or a care leaver (eligible for Vulnerable Bursary)
• Have your own bank account to receive payment
Please Note:
Payments due are for timetabled college days only. If you are required to attend college outside these times, please inform the bursary team asap
Payments are made fortnightly and require a minimum of 85% attendance. Payments will be cancelled if attendance falls below this threshold. If you have exceptional circumstances, please speak to the bursary team. Details of Learner Support Fund Entitlements can be found below.
Main Campus (Stanmore College)
| Bursary | Accepted | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Payments | Yes | Up to max of £2720 |
| Meals | Yes (ID Card) | £3.70 Daily |
| Exam Resit Payments | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Laptop Loan | Yes – Subject to availability | N/A |
| Educational Visits | Yes | Up to max of £50 |
| Essential; Books, Equipment and Uniforms | Yes | Up to £250* |
| Childcare Payments | Yes- via Care to Learn | Up to max of £195 per child |
Off-Site Campuses (Bannisters, Beaconsfield, Greenwich)
| Bursary | Accepted | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Payments | Yes | Up to max of £2720 |
| Meals | Yes (BACS payment) | £5.00 Daily |
| Exam Resit Payments | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Laptop Loan | Yes – Subject to availability | N/A |
| Educational Visits | Yes | Up to max of £50 |
| Essential; Books, Equipment and Uniforms | Yes | Up to £250* |
| Childcare Payments | Yes- via Care to Learn | Up to max of £195 per child |
*Learners on sports courses can claim an additional £50 towards the cost of football boots.
16-19 Vulnerable Learner Bursary (Government Scheme)
Stanmore College supports vulnerable students in line with Government and ESFA guidance.
If you are aged 16-19 on 31 August of the academic year, you may be eligible for up to £1,200 to help with the cost of attending college. Awards are based on your individual financial circumstances.
| Contribution towards: |
|---|
| • Travel costs |
| • Meals |
| • Laptop loans |
| • Essential books, equipment and uniforms |
| • Educational visits and university trips |
| • UCAS application fees |
| Eligibility Criteria: |
|---|
| • Aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31st August |
| • Be in care or leaving care |
| • Have your own bank account to receive payment |
| • In receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit or disability benefits |
Successful applicants receive payments fortnightly. To continue receiving payments, you must maintain at least 85% attendance. If your attendance falls below this, payments may be suspended. If you have exceptional circumstances, please speak to the Bursary Team.
If you are under 20 and need help with childcare costs while studying, you may be eligible for the Care to Learn scheme. Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn
Apply online for the Vulnerable Learner Support Fund below.
Free College Meals Fund
Eligible students can receive a free meal on days they are scheduled to attend college.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Are aged 16-18 on 31 August of the academic year
• Are aged 19+ and continuing a course you started when you were 16-18
• Have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• You or your parent/carer receive Universal Credit
• Receive support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Students on work experience, work placements or industry placements that form part of their study programme may also be eligible. Please contact the Bursary Team for advice.
How to apply:
Check your eligibility using the Free School Meals checker at https://fsm.lgfl.net/
If you are eligible, download your eligibility certificate and upload it as evidence via the PayMyStudent portal at https://stanmore.paymystudent.com/portal/
| Campus | Amount | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|
| Stanmore | £3.70 | In-Kind (college ID card) |
| Bannisters (training days only) | £5.00 | BACS |
| Beaconsfield | £5.00 | BACS |
| Greenwich Borough Academy | £5.00 | BACS |
Scheduled payments are paid fortnightly.
Learners must have a minimum of 85% attendance to get paid – payments will be cancelled if attendance falls below this.
If you have any exceptional circumstances, please speak to the bursary team.
19+ Learner Support Fund
The 19+ Bursary are for learners studying a Level 1, Level 2 or a first full Level 3 qualification. You must be aged 19 or over on 31st August, with a gross household income of £35,000 or less. Details of 19+ Learner Support Fund Entitlements are below:
Main Campus (Stanmore College)
| Bursary | Accepted | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Payments | Yes | Up to max of £1000 |
| Exam, accreditation & professional membership fees | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Exam Resit Payments | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Digital Support* | Yes – subject to availability | n/a |
| Educational Visits | Yes | Up to max of £50 |
| Essential Books, Equipment and Uniforms | Yes | Up to max of £250 |
| Childcare Payments** | Yes | £250 max (monthly) |
Rail Futures
| Bursary | Accepted | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Payments | Yes | Up to max of £750 |
| Exam, accreditation & professional membership fees | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Exam Resit Payments | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Digital Support* | Yes – subject to availability | N/A |
| Educational Visits | Yes | Up to max of £50 |
| Essential Books, Equipment and Uniforms | Yes | Up to max of £250 |
| Childcare Payments** | Yes | £250 max (monthly) |
Harrow Arts Centre
| Bursary | Accepted | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Payments | Yes | Up to max of £1000 |
| Exam, accreditation & professional membership fees | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Exam Resit Payments | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Digital Support* | Yes – subject to availability | N/A |
| Educational Visits | Yes | Up to max of £50 |
| Essential Books, Equipment and Uniforms | Yes | Up to max of £250 |
| Childcare Payments** | Yes | £250 max (monthly) |
Salon Hijab
| Bursary | Accepted | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Payments | Yes | Up to max of £750 |
| Exam, accreditation & professional membership fees | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Exam Resit Payments | Yes | Up to max of £100 |
| Digital Support* | Yes – subject to availability | N/A |
| Educational Visits | Yes | Up to max of £50 |
| Essential Books, Equipment and Uniforms | Yes | Up to max of £250 |
| Childcare Payments** | Yes | £250 max (monthly) |
Note:
*Digital Support – Laptop supply is limited and will be assessed on learner’s individual need
**Please check your eligibility for the 15- or 30-hours government childcare funding before applying for Childcare Bursary.
Advanced Learner Loan
You can apply for a government Advanced Learning Loan if you are aged 19+/Adult studying an eligible Level 3 or above course.
With the Advanced learner Loan, there are no upfront tuition costs, and your loan payback would depend on your income level when you enter employment.
In some situations, depending on your course and pathway to Higher Education, you could be eligible to have your Advanced Learning Loan written off and you would not need to make repayments.
To be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan you will be need to apply via Student Finance England. You will need to prove gross household income of less than £30,000 per annum.
Student Discount
As a student at Stanmore College, you’ll have access to a range of discounts to help your money go further.
Sign up to Totum, Student Beans and UNiDAYS with your student email to unlock savings on food, fashion, tech, travel and more from hundreds of well-known brands. Simply verify your student status through each platform to start saving.
Oyster Cards
If you are within London, you can apply for an Oyster Card to help you with your travel expenses to attend College. Student services will stamp your form for as either 16+ or as an 18+ application. Once you complete your online form, we will receive a request from TFL to approve your status.
If you live outside of London then 16+ applications can only be made by your parent/carer. If you are 18+ outside of London, then you need to submit your own application.
If you are 18 on 31 August, you can still apply for 16+ Oyster card as long as you are in full time education.
If you are 18+ you will be required to pay TFL a non-refundable £20 application fee. this amount will not be refunded by TFL (even if you change your application to 16+).
• 16+ Oyster gives you free travel on buses, 50% off trains.
• 16+ Oyster if you are living outside London gives 50% off buses and trains.
• 18+ Oyster gives 30% off buses and trains.
• 18+ If you are living outside London, Oyster applications are currently not available.
Need more advice?
Please contact the bursary team, where a member of staff will be happy to assist.
Phone: 0208-420-7700
Email
