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Bursary information for students aged 16-18

What is the bursary?

The 16–18 Bursary Fund is financial support provided by the government to help students with the costs of education and training.

The bursary can help with expenses that might otherwise make it difficult to attend college, such as:

  • Travel costs
  • Equipment and materials
  • Uniforms or specialist clothing
  • Other course-related expenses

When can I apply?

Applications open:

1 August 2026

For students starting their course in:

September 2026 Apply For A Bursary Here

Who can apply?

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are 16, 17 or 18 years old on 1 September 2026
  • Are enrolled on a further education course at Weston College
  • Have a household income of £45,688 or less

Who cannot apply?

You are not eligible for the bursary if you are:

  • A paid apprentice or receiving a wage through a training programme
  • Studying while in prison or young offender institution
  • Enrolled on a higher education course

How We Assess Your Application

1

Discretionary Bursary

This bursary is based on your household income.

To apply, parents or carers will need to provide three consecutive months of income evidence (dated from April 2026 onwards).

Weston College looks at your household income and then makes an allowance for any children under the age of 19 who live at home. This helps us understand the income available to support each family member.

Example:
  • Total household income: £46,700
  • Two children under 19 live at home permanently
  • One of those children attends college

After the allowance for the second child is applied, the household income falls within the bursary threshold, meaning the student attending college would be eligible for financial support.

2

Vulnerable Student Bursary

Students aged 16 to 18 in certain circumstances can receive bursary support without a household income assessment.

You may be eligible if you are:

  • A care leaver
  • Currently in foster care
  • An unaccompanied asylum seeker

In these cases, you only need a letter from your social worker, personal adviser, or care adviser to confirm your circumstances.

You may also qualify without a household income assessment if you receive one of the following benefits in your own name:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), together with Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
If you're unsure which bursary applies to you, our team can help you understand your options and support you with your application.

What Support Could I Receive?

If your bursary application is approved, you'll receive support based on your individual circumstances and course needs.

Food Support

Students who receive qualifying benefits may be eligible for a meal allowance of up to £20 per week (£5 per day).

Meal support becomes available once your bursary has been approved and you have enrolled on your course.

Travel Support

Help is available with the cost of travelling to and from college. If you are awarded a bursary, you can choose the option that works best for you:

  • A First Bus pass
  • Reimbursement of train travel costs for your timetabled college days

Course Costs

The bursary can help cover essential course-related expenses, including:

  • Professional kits
  • Uniforms or specialist clothing
  • Books and learning materials
  • Equipment required for your course
  • Educational visits and field trips
  • UCAS application fees
  • Residential trip costs linked to your studies

Industry Placement Support

If the cost of travelling to an industry placement is creating financial difficulties, additional support may be available.

Please contact the Careers and Employability Team on email: CET@weston.ac.uk to discuss your circumstances and the support options available.

Digital Support

Students who do not have access to suitable digital equipment or online learning resources may be able to receive additional support.

A referral from your tutor will be required.

Childcare Support (Care to Learn)

If you are a parent aged under 20 when your course starts, you may be eligible for help with childcare costs through the Care to Learn scheme.

The scheme can provide up to £180 per child, per week, with payments made directly to an Ofsted-registered childcare provider.

Essential costs that may be supported by the bursary for 2026:
2026-27 COURSE ESSENTIALS LIST.xlsx

What's New for 2026?

We're committed to making financial support available to as many students as possible.

  • Increased Household Income Threshold – the household income threshold has increased again in line with inflation and is now £45,688. This means more families may be eligible for bursary support than in previous years.
  • Increased Meal Support – we've also increased our meal allowance to help students with the rising cost of living. Eligible students can now receive up to £20 per week (£5 per day) towards meals while studying at college.

This follows previous increases to our meal support offer and reflects our commitment to supporting student wellbeing and success.

Top Tips for Parents and Students

Before applying, we recommend that you:

  • Check that you meet the age, course and household income eligibility criteria.
  • Gather three consecutive months of household income evidence (dated from April 2026 onwards).
  • Obtain a letter from your social worker, personal adviser or care adviser if you are applying under the Vulnerable Student Bursary.
  • Submit your application as soon as applications open.
  • Once your bursary has been approved and you have enrolled, make sure you understand how to access any support awarded, such as meal allowances, travel support or course-related funding.

Need Help?

If you're unsure whether you're eligible or need help completing your application, our Student Finance Team is here to help.

They can provide advice on:

  • Eligibility criteria
  • Supporting evidence required
  • The application process
  • Available bursary support

Email studentfinance@weston.ac.uk or speak to a member of staff at any Weston College campus reception.

We encourage all eligible students to apply, even if they're unsure whether they'll qualify. Our team will be happy to assess their application and provide guidance.

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