Finance &
Funding
Key info on the bursaries
and loans available to students
There are a variety of bursaries and loans available to our students, including the University Centre Bursary, 16-19 Bursary Fund, Adult 19+ Learner Support Fund (LSF), Advanced Learner Loans Bursary Fund, Percival Whitley Educational Trust Fund and the College Meal Deal.
To view our Learner Support Fund Policy, click here
University Centre Bursary
The University Centre Bursary Scheme is worth £500 for new Level 4 students.
For more information about the Scheme please get in touch via email: HEBursary@calderdale.ac.uk
Where learners aged 16-18 are experiencing financial difficulty meeting the costs associated with learning they may apply for financial support from the college.
16 – 19 Bursary (Priority category)
Young learners who are aged 16 to 18
- in care
- care leavers
- receive Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves (see evidence required on application form as 2 forms of proof now needed)
- Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence payments in their own right as well as Employment & Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right.
16 – 19 Enhanced Learner Support Fund (16 to 19 monthly paid Bursary)
This is discretionary support available to young learners facing genuine financial barriers to staying in education or training. Help is available with the costs of travel, food credits on your college ID badge, and essential course costs which is a one-off payment.
If you meet any of the following categories may apply for help from this fund:
Young learners who are:
- Aged 16 to 18 years at the start of the course (a separate fund is available for adult learners aged 19+)
- Enrolled on a course funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).
- Living in a household where the joint income is not above £30,000.
- Must not be studying an apprenticeship.
- Types of support include meal support, equipment, travel and childcare.
Adult 19+ Learner Support Funds (LSF) 2024 - 2025
Discretionary learner support funding is made available to support adult learners aged 19+ with meeting some of the costs associate with learning.
If you require any help with completing your application, or have any queries after reading the notes, please speak to a member of Learner Services telephone 01422 399367 or call into Student Services on B Floor.
Whilst all applications will be considered individually, support is not guaranteed. Any award of funding is for 1st August 2024 to 31st July 2025 only. If your course continues beyond this date, you will need to submit a new application for the following academic year, if you are still eligible to apply.
Information regarding the following funds is available from the Leaner Services Team:
Adult Education 19+ Learner Support Fund (Discretionary) – A fund provided by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to help learners experiencing financial difficulties.
Advanced Learner Loans Bursary Fund – A fund provided by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to help learners in receipt of a Learning Loan experiencing financial difficulties.
Percival Whitley Educational Trust Fund – A fund donated locally to support and enhance the academic and personal development of individual learners (you would apply using the LSF form) Apprentices may apply for support through this scheme only.
All funds are managed by Calderdale College. The Learner Support Fund operates within the “Good Practice” guidelines recommended by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). The funds are managed and administered by Learner Services.
In order to satisfy the general eligibility for applying to the Learner Support Funds (LSF), learners must:
- be at least 19 years old on the 31 August 2024
- be enrolled on or intending to enrol on a course which is funded by the SFA.
- have applied for an Advanced Learner Loan if you are aged 24+ studying Level 3 or above or aged 19-23 that has already achieved a full Level 3 qualification previously.
- be a “home student”. (Please see Learner Services for a definition of this).
- be in receipt of an eligible income-based benefit, or be dependent upon somebody who is. Please see page 15 which details acceptable benefits & evidence
- not be a paid apprentice.
- not be in prison or in a young offender institution or who has been released on temporary license for example on day release
Application
If you wish to apply for financial support you should:
Check you meet the eligibility criteria listed above or contact Student Services for advice.
Click the link here to access the Pay My Student portal and apply for your bursary.
Advanced Learning Loans
From September 2019 students aged 19 or over wanting to study eligible courses at Levels 3 to 6 can apply for a Advanced Learning Loan from Student Finance England, or self-finance their tuition fee.
The exception to this would be for those aged 19-23 before the start of the course who do not already hold a full level three qualification. In these circumstances the Skills Funding Agency will fund the first full Level 3 qualification. If you want to discuss this please speak with a Student Adviser when you enrol or call on 01422 399367
What is an Advanced Learning Loan?
A Tuition fee loan for students aged 19+ studying in Further Education at Level 3 or above that meet a certain criteria. The loan is provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC) and paid directly to Calderdale College. The loan is NOT means tested or dependent on credit checks. The loan application covers the duration of the course & covers the course fees only.
To be eligible, students must be:
- A UK resident
- Studying a Level 3 or above qualification that meets the loan criteria
- Aged 19 or above on the first day of your course
- Commencing your course on or after 1st August 2024
How do I apply for an Advanced Learning Loan?
You will need a course offer from Calderdale College, valid proof of identification and your Customer Reference Number. Once you have been offered a place on a course and accepted your offer, an information funding letter will be sent out to you with all the information, including any additional costs you need to pay to Calderdale College and how to apply. Applications can be made direct to the Student Loans Company.
Can I still get funding towards other costs?
The Adult Loans Bursary Fund will be available to eligible students receiving the Advanced Learning Loan for a percentage of travel, equipment, and childcare costs through this fund. In addition you can apply for other costs associated with your course if you are facing financial hardship. Please note you must have already applied for your Adult Learning Loan to be able to access Bursary funding.
Please note: Unlike the loan, the Adult Loans Bursary Fund will be means-tested; please see the 19+ Learner Support Fund guidance notes for further details of the 2024-2025 for eligibility criteria & how to apply, or speak to an Student Adviser.
When do I need to repay the 19+ Advanced Learning Loan?
You will start making repayments the April following the completion of your course as long as you are earning at least £25,725 a year. Repayments will be a percentage of your salary, regardless of how much you owe. If you do not earn £25,725 a year you will not have to repay your loan until you do so. For full details around the interest and repayment terms and conditions please review on the www.gov.uk website; this information is also covered in your loan application.
Access to Higher Education (HE) Students
Access to HE students who take out an Advanced Learning Loan to cover tuition fees, and then go on to complete a Higher Education course on the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) approved course list will have the debt of the Advanced Learning Loan cleared by the Student Loans Company.
Where can I find out more?
Please contact a Student Adviser to discuss your circumstances if you have any queries regarding the Advanced Learning Loan, or if the course that you would like to study meets the loan eligibility requirements.
Opening Hours
Monday: 10am – 4pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 9am – 4pm
Friday: 9am – 3:30pm
Get in Touch
Please give us a call on 01422 399367 to discuss your query or email: adviceguidance@calderdale.ac.uk
For independent financial advice to help you make an informed decision please visit The Money Advice Service.
College Meal Deal
Free College Meals is a government initiative aimed at benefitting those students who are aged between 16 and 18 or are between 19 and 25 with learning difficulties or disabilities.
Students who don’t qualify for Free School Meals may be eligible may be eligible for the College Meal Deal.
What we provide…
The College Meal Deal, a healthy daily meal provided free of charge in the College cafeteria, part of the Francis Street Campus. There are a number of options available including; the choice of breakfast, lunch or a snack meal (when the shop is open). Vegetarian, Halal and Gluten-free options are available with special dietary needs catered for on request.
Eligible Students who study off campus will be provided with other options to ensure they have access to a meal similar to the College Meal Deal. You will be informed of this once your application has been processed
Are you eligible?
Students under 19 or their parent/carer must receive one of the following benefits:
- Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) provided annual income, assessed by the Inland Revenue does not exceed £16,190
- Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
- Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- In receipt of Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 for each year
How to apply
For further information or to apply for the College Meal Deal please contact the Advice & Guidance Team on 01422 399367 or come in and speak to an Advice & Guidance Advisor (Room A19, Calderdale College, Francis Street).
Click the link here to access the Pay My Student portal and apply for your bursary.
Did you know?
90% of students go on to employment or further study
OFSTED ‘Outstanding’
We were rated Outstanding for Young People and Adult Education!
Here’s what they said
“Teachers ensure that learners make good progress in developing their vocational skills and gain good levels of knowledge and understanding in practical subjects.”
Read more
“Learners gain confidence and improve the social interaction and communication skills that will support them well in their future lives.”
View our OFSTED report here.
