Bursary Support for Learners

To support you during your time at College, you can apply for bursary support, which offers a contribution towards the costs of studying.

Although funding is limited and allocated on a first come first served basis, we would encourage learners to apply. For this reason, we are only able to contribute to your learning costs and some of the costs will have to be met by yourself.

In 2024/25, applications received up to the end of September may be eligible for support from the start of term. The first bursary support payments will be made at the beginning of October, you will need to cover the costs until this time. However, if you are struggling please let us know so we can look at how we can support you.

The details may vary from year to year so please visit the student support section of our College website for the latest information or visit our Student Services department.

Interactive Fees Policy Programme

Take a look at our Interactive Fees Policy Programme to find out if your course can be funded.

16-18 Bursary Support

Learners aged 16 to 18, those aged 19 who are continuing on a study programme that they began aged 16 to 18 (‘19+ continuers’) and those aged 19 to 24, who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), are eligible to apply for the 16-18 College bursary support.

You may be able to get a contribution towards travel, meals and college expenses and is available for eligible learners with a household income up to £40,000.

You will need to complete the online Bursary Support application following the link below, with the required evidence of income and bank account details. Paper applications are available at each site for those who cannot complete an online application.

In 2024/25 applications received up to the end of September may be eligible for support from the start of term. The first payment will be made at the beginning or October.

For more information please contact the Bursary Team on bursary@rnngroup.ac.uk or call 01709 722823 / 01709 722877

Learners Aged 16 to 18

If you are aged between 16 and 18 at the start of your course, you will not have to pay any course fees and your parents/carers will be able to continue to claim any benefits they received while you were at school.

Enhanced Young Persons Bursary

An annual bursary of up to £1,200 is available to the following groups of learners if they are participating on a study programme that lasts for 30 weeks or more (a pro-rata amount is calculated for study programmes of less than 30 weeks).

The bursary is made up of in-kind payments to support with learning costs, e.g purchase of equipment, meals available on site and weekly bursary payments.

The amount(s) awarded will be based upon the financial needs of the learner. If the learner is being financially supported through another organisation and financial need is limited, a reduced award may be given.

This support is subject to attendance and performance expectations.

Learners are eligible for Enhanced Young Persons Bursary if they are:

Learners eligible for this bursary must be under the age of 19 when enrolled on their course and be either;

• In care or a care leaver
• Getting Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) in place of Income Support, in their own right
• Getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) in their own right

Aged 19 to 24 and in receipt of an Educational Health and Care Plan

• Learners aged 19 to 24 and in receipt of an EHCP do not have to pay tuition fees and are eligible to apply for the 16-19 bursary support and free college meals. Additional Learning Support and other course related costs can be agreed and supported by Local Authority (e.g. special transport)
• EHCP learners aged 25 can access bursary support from 19+ bursary support to help with fees and college expenses.

Care to Learn

If you are aged under 20 when you enrol on your course, you are eligible for support from Care to Learn who can help with your childcare costs while you are studying.

Click the button below to find out more about Care to Learn.

19+ Bursary Support

Learners aged 19 and over may need to pay fees and other costs towards their education up to and including Level 2 study.

In exceptional circumstances, College may be able to provide a contribution to fees, this is dependent on Household Income and personal circumstances.

The fees are set by the College at the start of each year and are based on the level of funding provided by the Government.

Many adult learners however are entitled to bursary support on publicly funded courses, including a complete waiver of fees in certain circumstances.

Because of the changing nature of government funding and the complex rules surrounding fees, please speak to a Member of the Learner Recruitment Team (Student Services) for the latest details. For level 3 and 4 courses an Advanced Learner Loan is available.

You may receive a contribution towards the cost of:

• Travel
• Equipment costs
• Childcare costs – Maximum support for full time students £360 per learner per week, there is reduced levels of support for those on part time courses
• UCAS application
• Awarding body and tuition fees
• Other associated study costs

You will need to complete the online Bursary application following the link above, with the required evidence of income and bank account details. Paper applications are available at each site for those who cannot complete an online application.

In 2024/25 applications received up to the end of September may be eligible for support from the start of term. The first payment will be made at the beginning or October. Childcare support will begin from when your application is approved and all agreements returned. 

For more information please contact the Bursary Team on bursary@rnngroup.ac.uk or call 01709 722823 / 01709 722877

Advanced Learner Loans

If you are aged 19 or above and are looking to study a Level 3 or Level 4 course the Advanced Learner Loan is available to support with the cost of some or all of your course fees.

The loan does not have to be paid back until you are earning over £25,000 a year.

For more details visit the Advanced Learner Loans section of the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

You may be eligible for college bursary support with a contribution towards costs, however along with household income evidence you will need to provide evidence of your Advanced Learner Loan for assessment.

Full Cost or Non-Funded Courses

Please note that no bursary support is available for non-funded or full cost courses offered by the College. Learners may wish to consider at Professional Career Development Loan.

Student Discount (TOTUM)

Once enrolled at college all learners are able to purchase a TOTUM card online which offers discounts when shopping, eating out, going to the cinema and more. Applications are made online only with a suitable photograph at https://www.totum.com/

Bursary Contact Information

Call 01709 722877 / 01709 722877

Email bursary@rnngroup.ac.uk

Student Finance Policy

Click the button below to read the Student Finance Policy: