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Financial Support
At United Colleges Group, we are committed to ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent you from accessing education. We provide a range of financial support to help with the cost of studying, including travel, meals, course materials and childcare.
Our aim is to support students facing financial hardship so they can focus on their studies and succeed.
Who Can Apply
Financial support is available to students who meet our eligibility criteria based on their financial circumstances.
In most cases:
- Household income must be £35,000 or below
- Adult learners may be assessed using a disposable income threshold of £220 per month
If you are unable to provide standard financial evidence, you may still be assessed through a self-declaration process.
What Support Is Available
We offer support across a range of areas to meet different student needs.
We can help with the cost of travelling to college.
- Students aged 16–18 may receive support for travel within TFL Zones 1–6
- Additional support may be considered for longer journeys
- Students aged 19+ may be eligible if they live more than 2 miles from college
National Policy Change: All students aged over 16 and under 19 on 31 August, 19+ Continuers or students with a current Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and from households in receipt of Universal Credit or in receipt of support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 will now be entitled to receive a free meal for each day they attend their study programme.
A student is only eligible to receive a free meal when they, or a responsible adult on their behalf, have made a successful Bursary application via United Colleges Group PayMyStudent portal: United Colleges Group Online Student Portal.
Eligible students will have a free meal allowance of £4.50 per day of attendance added to their Student ID card to allow them to purchase a healthy meal option.
NB 19+ Continuers are those aged 19 on 31 August who are progressing on to the 2nd year of a level 3 course started aged 18.
We provide support for essential course-related costs, including:
- Kits (e.g. Art, Hair & Beauty)
- Books and learning materials
- Uniforms
- Professional course fees
All items are provided through the college’s approved systems.
We support students with childcare costs so they can continue their studies.
Students under 20
- May be eligible for support through Care to Learn
Students aged 20+
- Weekly support includes:
- Up to £210 for children aged 0–23 months
- Up to £180 for children aged 2–11 years
Childcare must be with an OFSTED-registered provider and linked to your study timetable.
16-19 Vulnerable Bursary Fund
Students may receive up to £1,200 per year if they:
- Are in care or a care leaver aged under 18 or a continuing student aged 19 and progressing on to the 2nd year of a level 3 course started aged 18 (19+ Continuer) and
- Receive Universal Credit/DWP Benefits in their own name and live independently
19+ Adult Discretionary Bursary Fund
Students aged 19+ may be eligible for support with:
- Travel
- Course materials
- Childcare
- Other essential study costs
19+ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund
If you are in receipt of an Advanced Learner Loan, you may also be eligible for additional support towards the cost of:
- Travel
- Childcare
- Course-related costs
Higher Education Hardship Fund
Additional support is available for Higher Education students experiencing unexpected financial difficulty.
Financial support is subject to the following conditions:
- Students must maintain a minimum of 85% attendance to receive payments
- Support must be accessed through approved college systems
- The college does not reimburse privately purchased items
- Equipment provided remains the property of the college
- Funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
How to Apply
All applications must be completed online via the PayMyStudent portal:
You will need to upload supporting documents as part of your application.
Students with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can request a paper application form.
Support and Contact
Our Bursary team is available to provide advice and support throughout your application.
Email: bursary@ucg.ac.uk
Bursary desks at Willesden and Paddington Green are open:
- 10:00am – 4:00pm (on selected days)
Additional Support
We are committed to making financial support accessible to all students.
- Guidance is available in multiple languages
- Additional support is available for vulnerable students and those with complex circumstances
