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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.

Travel Support

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

Free College Meals

Eligible students can receive a daily meal allowance of:

£4.50 per day, loaded onto your student ID card

This support is available to students who meet specific benefit criteria, including Universal Credit with low earnings.

Course Materials and Equipment

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.

Childcare Support

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.

Additional Financial Support

16–18 Vulnerable Bursary

Students may receive up to £1,200 per year if they:

Are in care or a care leaver
Receive certain benefits in their own name

19+ Discretionary Support

Students aged 19+ may be eligible for support with:

Travel
Course materials
Childcare
Other essential study costs

Advanced Learner Loan Bursary

If you have an approved Advanced Learner Loan, you may also receive additional support for:

Travel
Childcare
Course-related costs

Higher Education Hardship Fund

Additional support is available for Higher Education students experiencing unexpected financial difficulty.

Important Information

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

What Our Students Say

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