We understand that financial matters are an important consideration for our students and that everyone’s circumstances are different.
Financial Support
Advanced Learner Loan
If you’re thinking of progressing onto a full-time course
and are aged over 19, you may qualify for this loan.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be aged 19 or over at the start of your course
-
Be a UK or Irish national, or have settled
or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement
Scheme or indefinite leave to remain -
Be applying to study on a course which
is level 3* or higher
* Defined by the government as a maximum of three A-levels; Access to HE course; Level 3
and/or level 4 certificates or diplomas; an advanced or higher apprenticeshi
Financial Support
If you are in care, a care leaver, in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit/Income Support in their own right, you may be entitled to receive up to £1,200 if you meet the eligibility criteria. The exact amount awarded to an individual is based on a financial assessment completed by the student financial support.
Travel LSG
Your Local Authority may offer travel support if:
- You are aged between 16 and 18 on 31 August 2023
- You have Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities
- You or your family are in receipt of a means-tested benefit/on a low income
- You live more than 2 miles walking distance away from the College
If you do not qualify for Local Authority support, the College may be able to help you with travel costs if your family is on a low income and you live more than 2 miles away from your campus.
Students do not have to pay fees as long as they are:
A UK citizen, hold EU Settlement Status or have a visa which could qualify them for home status
Are aged under 19 on 31 August in the year they are studying.
Note that some courses may incur costs for equipment, uniforms or activities, and these will be discussed at your application review meeting.
If you are aged 19 or over, please visit our 19+ fees and finance page, as you may still be eligible for fee remissions, loans or discounts.
16-19 year-olds can apply for additional financial support.
Stagecoach buses – A College Unirider ticket could save around £160 per annum and can be purchased via the website stagecoachbus.com/south. An unlimited 7-day travel ticket is also available if you hold a 3-in-1 card.
Compass buses – People aged 16 to 19 inclusive who are in full-time education are entitled to 25% off standard fares on production of an appropriate ID card. Acceptable forms of ID are Citizencards and Sussex Student Cards.
Unizone – If you hold an NUS Extra card you may be able to get cheaper travel by purchasing a Unizone card. Ask at your local station for details or visit southernrailway.com.
Young Persons Railcard – If you are aged 16-25, this card will give you a third off your fare if you use it after 10.00am, or before if the tickets cost more than £12. You will get a 10% discount by purchasing the railcard online.
Sussex Student Card – This card allows you a 34% discount on rail travel when you order your tickets online.
16-17 Saver Card – For only £30, the 16-17 Saver is valid for one year or until you 18th birthday (whichever is earliest) and discounts will be applied to standard Season, Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets on the National Rail network only www.16-17saver.co.uk
If you or your family are in receipt of benefits, you may be entitled to a £3.80 college meal contribution. Please see the 16-18 LSG guidelines above for more details.
Meal vouchers are available in emergency cases for you to purchase a college meal whilst at college. Please contact the pastoral mentor team or the bursary department on 01903 273014 or 01273 667788 ext.474 or 394
If your course requires a kit or uniform and your family is on a low income, you can apply for a contribution towards these costs. Some kits can be expensive and the maximum contribution the learning support grant can make is assessed on your household income.